Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-04-10
BY THE SALT SEA WAVES.
From the Argosy.

of his seaside lodgings after beakfast,
and was watching the girls go down
to battle; and by the time they had
their dip, and were walking or sitting
in the sun to dry their hair, the gal
liant officer was among them. Captain
Barton was not to be caught with chaff
though he knew pretty well whose
hair was natures gift, and whose had
been carefully taken in its owners
fair hand and shaken in a pail inside
the bathing machine to make it
match the rest. "
There were two girls to whom no
exception could be taken. Their
cheeks bad healthy bloom, their
eyes sparkled with youth and. merri-
ment, and their hair-that of one was
brown and the other golden-grew
out Of their own heads. and as our cap
tain passed them a delicious salt smell
hung about their disheveled locks
that was quite inspiring. He was just
Illuminating to himself as to whether
blue eyes or brown were best, when a
voice with rich, oily brogue attached
to 1t, arose behind:
Don't be cutting me now, Barton
But, sure, you got some excuse for
blindness after staring at that girls
wicked eye so longp
For refined, polished young man
like Captain Barton to be thus assailed
was most aggravating; but having
satisfied himself that no one else heard
the remark he greeted this vociferous
brother officer civilly.
I've run down for Dip" pursued
Captain O'More genially, land never
saw a prettier couple of girls than
those l saw ye looking at. Do you
know them at alI?"
Not in the least. Impossible for a
man to know all the girls he sees at a
seaside place"
"Och, then, said O'More, looking
back after the girlish figures which
were now arranged on either side of a
stout lady. I'D 60 out of my way to
have few minutes talk with the two
of them"
Sorry I can't introduce you. Have
cigar?"
Not just now. Have they bathed
yet, do you know"
why man." cried Barton, laugh
ing, how should I know?n
'Ye might have seen them. But I
think they nave, for their hairs all
wet. Will you dine with me tonight
at the ''Bear?'
Thanks said Barton.
Where are you off to now?"
TO enjoy myself and find way
OF knowing these girls"
''Impossible?"
TO solid Fnglishmen like YOU,
yes, but where there's beauty in the |
case, leave an Irishman alone! [ bet
you a guinea get acquainted with
them this very day"
Absurd I'll take you at once,
O'More."
During the very hot afternoon the
two young beauties and the stout old |
lady went in search of live curiosities
for their aquarium. Captain O'More
kept an eye on them as they strolled
among the rocks below, while he was
on the cliff above. At last he saw the
old ladyasit down on a sheltered bit of
sand, quite exhausted with the heat;
and then he went down among the
little pools and rock. Fervently and
earnestly he CROPPED in every hole as if
aquarians were his livelihood. At last
by rare stroke of fortune, he found
something, (he did not know the Nance
that drew the eyes Of the two beauti-
full young ladies toward him.
He's got it! and we shall not find
another, [ know It'll" murmured the
disappointed fair to the other.
Quick as thought the Irishman Sc
cured what he knew to be a prize in
his pocket handkerchief, and then
sauntered on. The girls approached
the old lady, and he saw the three
eagerly watching him. He pretended
to have met with further success, and
stopped as if to secure another treasure.
Then he saw the old lady ambling to-
wards him, a sort of dumb apology
breathing in every gesture.
Pardon me, sir she cOnAmenced,
but we have for days been disspoint-
ed in obtaining an addition to our
aquarium would you allow me to see
ii you have secured what we have
failed IN finding?"
O'More lifted his hat with most re
firing grace, united his handkerchief
and listened rapturously as the lady
excitedly cried:
Beautiful creature! Bertha, Wini.
fred, the very one you were looking
for.''
Then OMore's hat was raised once
more, respectfully, and he had entreat-
ed the acceptance of the jelly-like
substance as he was longing to get rid
of it.
''Oh, no, f" said brown-haired Bertha
sit woulden't be fair-would it,
WINNER
mo-" murmured Winnie, looking
softly up. 1--WE thought you had
two"
pray, ma'am, oblige me by ac-
cepting it for your daughters" said
the cunning Irishman, still besieging
mammal" and somehow or other,
when the treasure was transferred, he
followed up his opportunity by offer
ing his card and begging to be allow
ed to send them some very fine speci-
mems on the following day.
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