Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1888-02-01
A SEASIDE ROMANCE.
BY MARY C. PRESTON.

BY MARY G. PRESTON.
''But how can | help feeling neglected
and miserable, Ned? You scarcely lool
at ne when Miss Lowell is near, and sh,
is y ur preferred partner in all things
now. You walk with her, you sing will
her, you drive with her, you dance witt
her, and it makes me very wretched."
'tNrw, Mollie, if you're going to be
jealous !"
7 IN not jealous, Ned. If l thought
you didn't care most for me; if I fanciec
you cared at all for anyone else, DOM
think | should demonstrate with you al
all would Just take off this" touching
the diamond on her hand, "and hand il
back 10 you. I'm not jealous, but you
are not very kind to me, Ned"
My little pet, you do not see things
as | see them, One owes something to
society, especially when one is at the
seaside. 1t you would only remember
that love you too we'll to find fault
with anything you can do, and if you
would become little more of society
character yourself, [ would be perfectly
happy. Why, you scarcely take the least
attention from any one but me, and so
many are willing to offer attentions to
you. Now, dear, kiss me at once; [
must be of; | am to drive on the beach
with Miss Lovel; not Jealous, my pet ?'
Not .jealons, Ned; no." and she
turned from him, but without giving the
kiss he had asked for.
'.She is jealous, though !" the young
fellow thought, smiling as he watched
the pretty, straight figure going away
from the nook in which he had found
her, out to the stretch of sand, against
which the waves were rolling, receding,
leaving now mass of seaWeed on it,
now returning and bearing 1t away-a
very coquette of an ocean, now kind and
now cold, and always fair in the sun
light.
Ned Tremaine hurried over the beach.
whisting as lie went, and he presently
CAUGHT up with his affianced, who, in
her pretty dress of cream and black,
with the wide sun hat pushed a little
back on her blonde head, was looking
very beautiful and animated-and smil-
ing in the lace of Lee Stone the most
incorrigible male hirt at the beach.
Where now, Tremaine 2" the latter
called out, as, with nod he pursued
his way.
For drive on the beach; will see
you later;" and Ned had gone by, re-
Stunning his whistle.
Mr.. Stone smiled little and spoke
few words TO Mollie. She colored slight
ly, followed the tall form of her lover a
moment with her eyes, then gave a
gracious answer, and half an hour later,
when Ned and Miss Lowell met the pretty
light carriage on the beach, in which
Lee Stone took his daily drive, they re-
ceiyed a pleasant nod from pretty
MoIlie, who was his companion, AMI
who looked as though she was thorough
ly enjoying his society.
''Sne certainly lost no time in follow
ing my suggestion" Ned told himself,
half in surprise; ''and she has evidently
found the society oil Stone anything but
boring"
"What a handsome couple they
make" Miss Lowell said. with a certain
CLEAN in her steady blue eyes. Ned
colored suddenly, he didn't quite know
WHY.
''Perhaps you didn't know that Miss
Annes is my promised BRIDE" he said,
a trife coldly
tOh, but SO many engagements are
broken IN summer at the seaside; one
never minds that very much" the lam
guild belle said indiferently.
That night there was hop at the no
tel, and Ned had made up his mind
while dressing to be little more atten-
tive 10 MOlGe; but, to his surprise, he
didn't find Mollie Annes shrinking I'M
der her mothers wing, as had been her
custom. A number of her old friends
had arrived while they were at dinner,
and they were about her; beside, Lee
Stone was quite pronounced In his at
tentions to her, and while she gave him
(Ned) a smile from distance he found
it quite difficult to get near her; then a
light tap on his arm informed him that
Miss Lovel was asking him why he was
sc preoccupied, and, as Mollie and Stone
went circling by, joining the walters,
he followed them with Miss Lowell.
"A rather pronounced filtration" Lee
laughed, later, when he and Mollie
stood on the hotel terrace, watching the
moonlight on the sea and strand and
one solitary couple pacing slowly along
beside the waters. Both knew who
they were, for a few moments before
they had seen Ned Tremaine place that
pale-pink scarf about the shoulders Of
Miss Laura LoYel as he led her across
the terrace, too much engrossed in his
task, it would seem, to notice Mollie or
her companion.
'sOh, everybody firts more or less at
aseaslde hotel; one has nothing else to
do. you know" Mollie answered Lee
with light ripple of laughter, and he
looked down on the pretty face to which
the moonlight was SO tender, his voice
sinking to almost whisper as be spoke
to her.
ct is a cowardly pastime for man,"
he said softly, land for woman it is a
cruel one"
Again she laughed, while arranging
the bracelet on her arm; touch of
mockery was IN the ripping voice.
YOU are cruel or cowardly 2" she cues
toned. Zone is tempted to become
personal when such remarks come from
one who is said to count his conquests