The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-01-01
A SEASIDE MONSTER,

A SEASIDE MONSTER.
81 can't see what you can want run.
nlng Off to the seaside for, Edwin; you
had nearly week at Derby only last
Easter" grumbled Miss Holland,
Young people think of nothing nowa.
days, but gadding about and holiday
making. When l was Young we
thought quiet visit to our relations
once in two years quite change enough;
but, now
There. don't be cross. Aunt Mary:
l can't be mewed up in London during
this hot August weather. and YOU must
! confess that | stick close enough TO
business to deserve my holiday when |
| get one. went to Derby on business
You know. said Edwin. a bright. good
natured, gentlemanly young fellow as
ever bore with the whms and humored
| the fancies OF two old maids ..Yoti'd
better 60 With me, Aunt Mary" he
continued; the change would do Won
and Aunt Becky more good than all the
doctors stuff.
''Nonsense!' snapped the old lady.
Change. indeed! That's just what we
both hate. and what causes more than
half the peoples illness-lpaying their
own homes. where everything is well
looked after, to go and sleep in damn.
dirty beds, and to eat half-cOoked food.
to be robbed right and left-they call
that holiday"
'.And besides that, which does not
matter to young fellow like you as it
would to old folks like us" put in
Aunt Becky, solemnly, ''there is the
much greater danger of making bad
companions.
''Or OF some designing, painted crea-
ture getting hold of you. and making
you marry her whether You will or
not said Miss Holland.
81 will promise you no one will get
hold OF me; so be quite content and
don worry yourself. aunt" answered
the object of their doubts and fears.
Il don intend to marry for many
years yet like my liberty too we'll,
and You make me too comfortable
And with this soothing conclusion
Edwin Holland escaped, and. his prep
arations being soon made, few davs
alter he was strolling on the beach at
Swanscombe-a very pretty but quiet
seaside town on the south coast.
Il am afraid you must make your-
self cOntented indoors this mornino.
Katie; you know Martha and Ellen are
making the preserves, and expect NV
brother and his wife to lunch, so that /
really have my hands so full | cannot
go out" said Mrs. Gray to her niece.
who was staying on a visit with her at
her villa on the SwanScombe cliffs.
Every well, auntie. | will stay and |
help you, answered the girl cheerfully. |
Nlrrf Inv ~
preparations We're completed. Lunch |
con was not till two, but the visitors
might arrive at any moment, so she sat |
down contentedly in the cool dining
room with her knitting. Then Katie
looked out at the waves gently ripping
in the August sunshine, at the boats /
gliding on them with their white sails
spread, and she enyied the people who
were able to be out in the sweet, cool
sea-air, and grew restless and discon-
tented.
Might just take one little run,
aunt--just to the Cove and back? |
would not stay out too long" she VEN
tured to ask presently.
''My dear, would gladly let you
go; but you know how very strict were
your mothers injunctions to me on no
account to let you stray about by your
SELF
Il know. aunt, and it is nonsense for
mamma treating me like great grown
up baby" said Katie. Indignantly.
But you know, dear, being her only
daughter, she is naturally more anxious
about You, answered Mrs. Gray.
''Then wish | had half-a-dozen sis
ters, aunt. | am tired of being taken
about, and watched and worried over"
was Kate's ungraciOus reply. What
can mamma possibly see of danger in
my taking a walk by myself in this quiet
place?"
There are always monsters of some
kind lying in wait for the young and
pretty. my dear; it is of these your
mamma is fearful" answered Mrs
Gray, trying to speak seriously, but un-
able to repress a merry twinkle in her
eye.
''Oh! | know what you mean. aunt;
but mamma need not fear-I have too
much pride to allow any gentleman to
speak to me who has not been properly
introduced. l shall never do as poor,
silly Matte We're did-run away with
man she met at Scarborough, and then
find she had married heruAcle's clerk"
and the stately pose of katie's head as
she spoke would have befitted a duth-
ess at least.
Il believe you, my dear Katie. You
will never, | am sure, break your moth
Pr's heart by any foolish escapade."
''Then show your trust in me by al
lowing me little liberty now and then,
dear auntie.. You often go out when
you would prefer erremaining in, know.
Let me 60 out this morning; give you
my word of honor no one shall speak
10 ME, and | will speak to no one"
Aunts need to be made of sterner
stuff than Mrs. Gray was composed of
10 withstand the pleading of such a
pretty winsome girl as Kate Leigh.
Ten minutes after, she was walking
nerrily along the Parade. alone, and
rejoicing in the unaccustomed sense of
freedom.
About half an hours walk brought
her to some sequestered spot midway
between the town and small fishing
village. Here she sat down to rest for
awhile in a natural grotto in the rocks, 4
she had good view of the sea.
Then she fixed her sunshade in front of
her to keep off the suns rays, and, pro- I
1ucing novel from her pocket, she
to enjoy herself for half an
hour, at the end of which time she must
return to be in time for luncheon.
About five minutes elapsed, and Ka- {
lie was deep in the interest of a thrill
ing tale, when ''Whewr came sud- ,
len gust of wind. and away went her