The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-05-24
A SUMMERS EXPERIENCE.

We were not very we'll off. Faith
ser's situation in the hank, although a
responsible one, yielded but small
salary when compared with the ex-
pensiye family he had TO support;
SO, when the question came up where
we should spend The summer, one of
the FIRST things to be taken iHto con-
sideratiOn was the expense.
1t did not make much difference to
mel was sure of certain amount
OfadmiratiOn and attention wherever
1 went. / had always received it
since my first day at school, where
my pretty curls and shining eyes had
captured the hearts of the"big boys"
up to the last ride taken in the park.
With not only the beauty but
much of the cleveruess of the family,
naturally great things were expected
of me.
l had but one sister-a poor, pale.
little thing. She was younger than
and had always been delicate, but
for some time had been growing
gradually weaker, until now we
wheeled her about the house in an
easy chair. It was finally decided
that mamma should take the boys up
into New Hampshire and sister Mil
lie and 1 should go down to Beach,
point, little unknown resort on the
coast.
Father accompanied us, but only
stopped long enough to see us CON-
fortably settled. | was lonesome
enough the first few days. There
were no boardegs- but Us, and the
house was the only one on. the beach.
our neighbors being away back in
the uplands.
1 dutifully took my bath each day
as one swallows bitter tonic. i play.
ed on the little old-fashioned piano
in the parlor, and to kill time slept
away the greater part of the long
summer afternoon, 1t was all very
dull and commonplace.
Millie was cheerful and contented.
She read and worked on the pretty
things she was constantly knitting
out of bright woods. or sketched as
much of the scenery as she could see
from her chair by the window.
One evening was out of sorts and
little cross, and had just declared l
wouldn't make toilet to 60 down
stairs, wnere there was no one but
the landlords son, who usually ex-
pressed his admiration with open.
mouthed wonder.
Presently our !andlady hustled in
full of importance.
81 just run up a minute to tell you
that the stage has come and Mr..
Brent was in it. He is here every
summer and comes cunning in the
winter. He gave Us the sail boat on
the bay, and we had his name paint
ed on it, Hartley Brent He amt
so very young. but he's rich, and |
thought perhaps you'd like to know
he was here so as to change your
dress before you came down."
She hurried away. feeling she had
done good deed.
After closing the door to shut out
the cold sea air. | wrapped a shawl
around poor, shivering Mile, saw
ing:
Nov, dear. l have been fore
warned and when | am arrayed in
my new grenadine | shall be fore
armed.'"
Time dragged no longer after Hart
ly Brent came, and soon several other
pleasure seekers arrived. until we
were a merry party. Escorts were
plenty. and. as was the privilege of
my bellehood. l chose such as pleas
ed me best. When my choice fell
on Mr.. Brent. as it often did. l could
see how pleased he was to be of SER
vice. He was never officious, yet al
ways ready to quietly render any
little attention needed. His manner
was different from the cay gallantry
of other cavaliers. with their jests
and tlattery, though he was always
deferential. and praised my taste, nay
music and INV voice with discrimi-
mating earnestness l knew to be sim
cere.
1T is because he is older than the
Others" 1 said 10 Mile, who loved
to hear me talk of him.
She was alwa Us interested in any.
thing liked, and he had been kind
to her, bringing her fruit and flowers
and books and taking her in his
strong arms down to the parlor of an
evening. ami back again to her room
when she was tired. "Besides,"
said to myself. the warm brood cir
cling around my heart at the thought.
"their attentions mean nothing. and
he is in earnest"