The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-03-10
BY the Sad Sea Waves.

The waves are rolling in slowly; the rows
OF cottages and the one hotel are bathed in
an unbroken and garish flood of light; the
beach is dotted with the usual specimens of
''the human form divine" that one sees at
the sea-shore; while the inevitable small
child trots around ubquitously, overshadowed
by large amount of hat, and displaying an
amazing brevity Of skirt and much (oh, very
much , OF bare, mottled leg.
Lastly, here am l, uncomtortably seated on
a pile of wood, the centre of swarm Of gnats,
trying to look as if l enjoyed it and conscious
that ana failing miserably.
1t is not one OF our populous places. re-
sorted to by fashion, but little primitive
beach, sought by those who require cheap
ness or privacy.
''If," mediate, 81 could only think of an
appropriate poem, perhaps 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 l rack
my brain for at least three minutes At last
the lines come:
1.-THE sea, the sea, the open sea-
The blue the fresh, the
A woman's voice close at hand says 'roast
veal.' What else l hear not, for those two
words carry my thoughts forward to dinner.
But no-vain hope-dinner is still thing of
the future.
At this point the aforesaid small child sets
up dismal howl and flies in AFFECT terror
from ''some dread monster of the deep"
length one inch and half that its grub
bling has disinterred. Its fright gives me ma
licious pleasure; but even that does not last
long, and after long yawn l rise to go. But
at this moment a 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 beside me.
She is girl of twenty-five with wavy auburn
hair, and pair of deep-set, gray eyes with
dark brows and lashes; her mouth is some
what wide, and her nose short and retrousse; ;
but the lilac gown shows off every curve of a
superb figure, and her skin is prettily tinted.
Somehow people always look twice at her.
"Well?" say, lazily interrogative.
''Well"' she echoes. ''Look here, Debo-
rah. Ii l get so bored in this place that l
drown myself, just remember, please, that
you brought me here"
"W-hy, Ottalie--" begin with aggreved
sharpness.
perhaps you didn't" she interrupts, con-
tradictorily but placidly. "That is what you
are going to say and dare to say it's true.
did want to come to the seaside; and-and
as we had to bury ourselves somewhere, this
antediuvian place, Some, was as good as any
NeAASis hhu tAC SCd 10 always uiCC yOu huUW
only"-her big eyes turn wrathfully seward
there is little too much of it here, and
nothing of anything else! Such caddish set
of people could not have collected at any
place but Sone." =
Gas 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, Otta-
lie? Some is not bad, though there is no cir
culating 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. I always do.
Otta)ie laughs. -.
'Poor Old Deb, you are getting on bravely.
Novels, eating and sleeping, sure signs OF
spinsterhood! Don't think say it reproach-
fully. WONDER" clasping her hands fiercely,
why people euer marry?" ~
Ppm sure I don't know" O.
III aunt Rebecca would only die and 60 to
should be RICH" s-.....
"And what if we were rich ?n
we could 60 away ever so far, where no.
ody would ever see or find u.s." a,.
'.Afghanistan is good place," 1 say dryly.
yes" she says with short laugh. "Only
aunt Rebecca won't. Though she is not a
bic OF use down here-except to sing
hymns" -
"You ought to be ashamed Ottalie."
Il am not" she says cheerfully. "You are
always wishing yourself that aunt Rebecca
was gone somewhere" sa T.. S...'.-
wisely affect not to hear. .-
Let us 60 over to the inlet" she adds,
jumping up; anything is better than sitting
The inlet is small bay, chiefly remarkable
for its calmness, solitude and gnats. But
why it should have been named the inlet no.
body seems to know. .fs....,
Sometimes / think all this must be a
dream," Ottale says, as we saunter along ia
the heat; show things have changed What
a contrast it presents to the days when we
were with papa and he was fourishing.
This is wretched life"
Ottaie.''
She turns away quickly. but presently be-
gins to hum tune. Wretched I know it is
Tor her; but any reference to the past she
will not hear from me. Five minutes later
we stand on the edge of the water. 80
Ottalie points to small rowing beat.
"See," she says, ssthat boat is what Pve been
trying to get ever since we came here. Well
borrow it for while, Deb.''
"Borrow it?"
'Just to sit in," she says, jumping in.
.Oh, 1t is cool and pleasant sitting here !!
Come in Deb" .--
don't know why I always obey her; she
knows that she tyrannizes over me. In get
THE least little .pash-so-Deb, will run it
off into the water"
The boldness of the assertion locks my lips,
and almost before understand the situation
we are skimming away from shore. People
have said Ottalie rows well: know the fact
does not comfort me in the least. / close my
eyes and cling to the boat side.
Ottalie laughs and begins to sing; so I am
lett in peace to indulge my fears. I always
was coward on the water.
"Wont you put back, Ottalie? ?"
But Ottalie only smiles and sings the loud
er. Presently find myself almost mile
out
-Four o'clockn' 1 say, drawing out my
watch.
'sIs it%' .Ottale asks lazily. 81 know
what an inquirlng mind you have, Deborah,
and am taking you To explore the Isle Of
Shoals" Her eyes flash laughter as expos
tulate:
at is dinner time. At least, it will be by
the time we get back"
'My dear Deborah" she says coolly, back
ing water, IT am not well regulated indi-
Vldual like you; my appetite does not depend
on the clockw and as she speaks, she
runs the boat into land. sNow, let us
explore" she says, preparing to get out.
"And let the boat drift off?' ask tartly,
''No: don't come out; stay where you
are" shouts out strange masculine voice
from the shore. We both start.
"Push off," 1 whisper, nervously. But be-
fore Ottalie, with all her dexterity can obey
gentleman with fishing basket and tackle
comes rushing down and jumps in.
'sMy girl" he says to Ottale as be takes
the seat facing her, 1.-THE next time Michael
sends you to bring hungry man back to
shore and dinner, please don't make pleas
ure excursion of it! Row quickly now, and
make up for lost time"
Ottalie's back is toward me, but just as I
open my lips 10 answer she turns to me
very red face and makes me sign to be
quiet.
The gentleman lights his cigar and leans
back, liking his eyes on Ottalie.
by Jovep' he calculates presently. "you
are pretty and no mistake.''
have noticed the best of men think Them
selves at liberty to speak out to a girl The ad.
miration they only dare look to lady.
Ottalie glanced over her shoulder with
crimson facet at me again, and once more I
hold my tongue. Well, perhaps in the posi-
ton it was best to be silent. We had brought
it upon ourselves.