The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-07-18

IN OleuS, uuIlDB
- the sum m er
(&Ns3 months, to go to
@ q seaside resort
.SAHAA known as Squit-
IELNTEA tig Point, on the
~NS,NA New England
M coast. They own
%NKRsed a small cot
Z: :: !: !: !: !: !:
&[ = tage there, con-
I'M .=MNSok1 sisting of sit
~ EgkTffHK ting room, three
E WV IAEHh(N&<1Zb bedrooms, and
%SE11SEESJf[ n kitchen and a
YT/L~ veranda, the area
of which was
larger than all the rest of the house.
The house stood upon low bluff direct
ly overlooking the beach. There was a
semi-circular inlet at this point, about
fifty yards across; in this pier had been
constructed, to the end Of which cat
boat was moored.
1t was pretty place, but very quiet
one. To reach it it was necessary to
drive five or six miles from the railway
station in the neighboring town. With
in radius of mile there were perhaps
a dozen cottages similar to the Nolens'
and occupied chiefly by artists. Milk,
eggs, poultry and vegetables were fur
nished by the farm houses in the vicinity:
fish could be caught by any one with a
fishing line and boat; meat and gro
ceries must be fetched from the town.
1t was out of the line Of fashionable
travel; and those who knew Of its exis-
tence, and had established themselves
there, were united in conspiracy to
keep fashion away from it. II they
themselves felt the need Of little dissi-
patton, they could be at Newport in four
or five hours or at Swampscott before
night. But here they could always be
sure of rest, seclusion, charming scenery
and as much fishing, sailing and bathing
as they wanted. OF course they could
not hope to keep their secret longi Soon
er or later somebody would appear and
build a hotel; but meanwhile they Ell.
ioyed it all the moro for feeling that
their exclusive possession OF it must be
limited.
Opposite the point was line Of low
islands, seven or eight miles distant,
which served as a natural hreakwater
against the violence Of the Atlantio'B
waves, and gave to the intervening ex-
panse of water the advantages of a bay.
They were also charm and attraction
In themselves; for they were constantly
undergoing the most surprising changes
under the influence of the mirage; and,
being within an easy sail, were often
visited for picnicking purposes by the
sojourners in the cottages. Baskets of
provisions were carried over, and the
materials for a clambake or chowder
were always obtainable from the sands
and the sea. The time not occupied in
cooking and eating could be devoted to
picking huckleberries, practicing with
the rifle or shotgun, or, if the age and
circumstances of the members Of the
party permitted, in quiet airtat., along
the beaches or in the woods. The sail
home was made by the red light of sun
set or by the white luster Of the moon.
The winter and spring had passed
away without any news having been OBJ
tanned concerning Horace Dupee; if he
had really been in New York at the time
of the preparation of the robbery he
had entirely disappeared. The only thing
to be done was to wait patiently until he
came back again, keeping bright but
undemonstrativ lookout for him in the
meanwhile. AS Inspector Byrnes had
the matter in charge, it was not neces-
sary that Pauline should remain in New
York; she could be communicated with
at any time, and it might even hasten the
result she desired if she were known to
be out of the city. Accordingly, as sum-
mer approached, and her mothers health
manifestly demanded change, prepare
tions were made to go down to Squittig
Point Judge Ketelle, for reasons which
the reader will perhaps comprehend, ar.
ranged to accompany them. He had moi
as yet made any avowal to Pauline Of
the nature of his sentiments towards her.
but he had been assiduous in his atten
tons; and only the greatness of the prize
at stake withheld him from putting hi:
fate to the touch at once.
They arrived about the middle of June
The cottage had previously been put il
order for their reception; curtains I'm
packed and put up; mattings spread OF
the floors; hammocks swung in the We
randas; Venetian blinds fastened ovel
the windows. The catboat had beer
routed out of her winter quarters in thu
barn, a new coat of paint had been giver
her, new sheets and halliards rove, anC
her shrunken seams had been soaked til
they were water tight. There she resteC
at her moorings as gracefully as Sc;
gull. Every thing being ready, thu
party, conveyed by the judge, drove on
from the town one fine day and tool
possession. 1t was sunset by the tim,
the last trunk was moved in. They haC
supper, and then sat out on the verand;
enjoying the pure salt air and the iquiC
outloor over the bay. There was fain
breeze; little waves made barely audi
BILE plash on the shore of the cove. TIL
boat courtesied gently off the end of tn
pier, as if welcoming its owners back t
nature. The moon rose late and red;
was past the full. To the right, beyon,
the point, the lighthouse lamp fashe,
intermittently; sloop drifted past half
mile out, and the sound of banj
tinkled audibly across the water.