The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-05-30
THE STORY-TELLER.
WASHED ASHORE.

= Day Slue, ds llS owner somewhat am
hitiously christened the incongruous ag-
gregation of discomforts and wooden
balconies at the head of the little cove,
was one of those numberless saltwater
summer refugees with which the shore of
Long Island Sound is studded.
1t was quiet sort of place, and the
neighborhood was good but the most
remarkable feature of Bayside that sum-
mer was the presence of Nellie Martin
Or course, there were other girls enough
that came and went but the steady
POSSESSION, week after week, of even one
undeniable beauty is a windfall for u
small watering-place. Old Bowers and
his managing wife frankly admitted to
each other that they could have afforded
to board Nellie for nothing.
81" But not her mother" added the good
lady; "those tall, thin people are awful
eaters"
s"But rather like the old gentleman"
responded her spouse. He's good
fisherman, and he brings home his fish !;
but don't believe he's rich"
If they amt pretty well off," said his
wife, they've no business to have
spoiled Nellie to that degree"
And beyond all doubt, the willful
beauty had been spoiled "to that d.
gree" 50 that she frankly accepted al.
male attention and devotion Us no mole
than her due, without the leas1 appar-
ent idea that it could rightfullS demand
repayment in more serious coin than her
own smiling approval.
To do her Justice, however, her fLu 1t
extended to her dealings with even the
children; and she seemed as happy
among the veriest babies that came to
Bayside as with the most persistent Of
her grown-up admirers.
Even when her pale-taced mother
chided Nellie on her behavior, she could
obtain no more than a kiss of peace, and,
Nonsense, mamma; I'm sure it won't
hurt either of them"
And Mrs. Martin shook he T head low
ingly, and held her peace, for when,
among SO many young gentlemen as ap-
peared and disappeared at Bayside,
young lady like Nellie could say
"either of them," it was very clear that
there were two i'll particular.
Both of them knew very we'll which
two, for Nellie's other worshippers were
undecided whether Jack Loutrel or
Murray Nesbitt were most deserving
their bitterest resentment. One at least
of the more favored or skillful pair was
sure to be in the way of anybody else
who dreamed of aspiring to tete-a-tcte
with Nellie Martins blue eyes and gold
en- hair.
Fine, presentable fellows were they
both, and old Mr.. Martin knew all
about them, and their fathers before
them.
EITHER would do" he had said to
his wife, more than once.
"Yes; but husband"
"Oh, now, Nellie must choose for her
self and l amt at all sure she fancies
either of them"
No more was Nellie; but they both
amused her in just the way she liked to
be amused.
Jack and Murray gallantly maintain
ed an outward semblance of personal
goodwill to each other, through all the
ups and downs of their doubtful rivalry
but who shall blame Jack if he expe-
rienced a keen sensation of triumph at
finding Nellie Martin actually in his
boat, one splendid July morning, when
he felt sure he was bearing her away
from corresponding devices on land ?
Alas for Jacks triumph If he could
only have known that the feeling up
permost in the heart of his companion
was one of merry anticipation of the
disgust of Murray Nesbitt, when he
should drive up to Bayside with his new
turnout, and find that she and Jack
had "gone to sea-" a..
Nevertheless, for she was fond of boat
ing, she fully appreciated the skill and
vigorof Jacks rowing, as the gay little
craft darted forward over the CLASSY
water. Nellie herself could pull very
well, but Jack Loutrel was an athlete of
no mean order.
ats splendid morning for a row.
she said "but we must not stay out
too long. The sun will be very hot by
and-by."
"Not too long, indeed" said Jack
"but I've a notion there's a storm brew
ing"
Perhaps there was but Jack had
made up his mind that some things
should be attended to that morning,
storm or shine.
There's that desolate-looking little
island. at the mouth of the cove" said
Nellie. "Did you ever go ashore there I"
Island 7" replied he. "Yes, desolate
enough. "It's dry now, at low water,
but the waves 60 clean over it when the
tides up. Shall we land, and take pos