Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-11-02
NO. 26O.
BY THE SAD SEA WAVES.

OF light; the beach Is dotted with the
usual specimens of ''the human form d.
vine" that one sees at the sea-shore ;.while
the inevitable small child trots around
ubiquitsusly, overshadowed by large
amount of hat, and displaying an amaz-
ing brevity of skirt, and much (oh, very
much y OF bare, mottled leg.
Lastly, here am l, uncomfortably seat
ed on a pile of wood, the centre OF =
swarm of gnats, trying to look as If en-
joved it, and conscious that am falling
miserably.
1t is not one Of our populons places,
resorted to by fashion, but littlei iprimi-
tive beach, sought by those who require
cheapness or privacy.
''lt,' mediate, IL could only think OF
an appropriate poem. perhaps l might be
able to get enthusiastic over that dreary
sweep of water. There's nothing else for
me to do"
Poetry is not my strong point. and
rack my brain for at least three minutes.
At last the lines come:
The sea, the sea, the open sea!
The blue, the fresh the
A woman's voice, close at hand saws.
"roast veal" What else l hear not, for
those two words carry my thoughts for
ward to dinner. But no-vain hope-din-
ner is still thing for the future.
At this point the aforesaid small child
sets up a dismal howl, and fees in abject
terror from ''some dread monster Of the
deep" Qength one inch and q halo that
its grubbing has disinterred. Its fright
gives me malicious pleasure; but even
that does not last long, and after long
yawn, rise to 60. But at this moment
figure in lilac gingham comes in sight.
and | sit down TO wait.
She comes along with light, easy steps.
and presently she drops down silently be-
side me. She is q girl of twenty-five,
with wavy auburn hair, and pair of
deep-set gray eyes with dark brows and
lashes her mouth Is somewhat wide, and
her nose short and retrousse but the lilac
gown shows off every curve of superb
figure, and her skin is prettily tinted
Somehow people always look twice at
her.
well P' | say, lazily interrogative.
"Wel ?" she echoes. Look here, De-
borah, it get so bored in this place that
| drown myself, just remember, please,
that you brought me here"
why. Ottalie-" l begin, with ag-
grleved sharpness.
Perhaps you didn't, she interrupts, con-
tradictorily but placidly. "That is what
you are going to say, and | dare say It's
truce did want to come to the seaside:
and-and as we had to bury ourselves
somewhere, this antediluvian place, Some,
was as good as any other. And the sea
is always nice you know only."-her big
eyes turn wrathfully seaward-'the is a
little too much of it here. and nothing of
anything else Such caddish set of peo-
pie could not have collected at any place
but So2e."
LAS for the people, Ottalie, l had an
idea We wanted to avoid society. Besides
Some is cheap"
''And nasty" puts in my sister.
why do you indulge In these words,
Ottalie Some is not bad, though there is
no circulating library 60 on; nothing
fit to eat, and no sleep to be had for the
gnats.' | end by making frantic lunge
at one of the enemy-of course miss
him. always do. Oualie laughs.
Poor old Deb, you are getting on
bravely. Novels, eating, and sleeping
sure signs of spinsterhood Don't think |
say it reproachfully. l wonder clasp
ing her hands fiercely-"why people ever
marryp"
I'm sure don't know"
"lf aunt Rebecca would only die. and
go to heaven she goes on medilatively.
1--WE should be rich"
''And what if we were rich ?'
1--WE could go away ever so far; where
nobody could ever see or find u.s."
"Afghanistan's a good place, say dry
ly.
"Yas." she says, with a short laugh.
"Only aunt Rebecca won't. Though she
is not bit of use down here-except to
sing hymns"
You ought to be ashamed. Ottalie."
"Im not, she says, cheeriully." "You
are always wishing. yourself. that aunt
Rebecca was gone somewhere"
| wisely affect not to hear.
Let us 60 over to the inlet" she adds,
jumping up; anything better than sit
ting here"
The inlet is small bay, chiefly remark
able for its calnness, solitude, and gnats.
But why it should have been named the
inlet nobody seems TO know.
Sometimes l think all this must be
dream" Ottalie says. as we saunter along
in the heat. How things have changed
What a contrast it presents to the days
when we were with papa. and he was
flourishing. This is wretched life.-
''lt is little better than your life las,
year. Ottalie."
She turns away quickly; but presently
begins to hum tune. Wretched know
it is for her; but any reference to the past
she will not hear from me. Five minutes
later We stand on the edge of the water.
Ottalie points to a small rowipg-boat.
''See.' she says, THAT boat is what I've
been trying to get ever since we came
here. Wen borrow it for little while,
| Deb"
BORROW it Pr
"Just to sit in." she says, Jumping In.
"Oh, it is cool and pleasant sitting here
Come in. Deb"
don't know why l always obey her;
she knows that she tyrannixes over me.
In get.
The least little push--so-Deb, will
run 1t off into the water"
The boldness Of the assertion locks INV
lips, and almost before understand the
situation we are skimming away from
shore. People have said Ottalie rows