The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-06-16
CHAPTER III.
y THE COUSINS.

of Siasconset, formerly fishing hamlet,
founded by brave and hardy men, who
built their box-like cabins on the bold
bluff rising from this dangerous coast,
and wrested from it's waters their har-
vests of cod and pollock.
For two centuries this place had an
uneventful, unprogressive existence,
but lately the hand Of improvement has
touched it, and under the undermining
influence, 1t is gradually tending to-
wards the realization Of that much
abused thing, summer resort.
To the world in general, it is still COM
paratively unknown, but to those for
tunate enough to have spent summer
beneath the inspiration Of it's life-giving
air, its charming, unconventional fea-
lures afford theme for never ending
praise.
Margaret CHANGED to hear of this odd
bit of creation, and longing for some-
thing out Of the ordinary run, decided
to try it's unconventional freedom, not
withstanding the season and Miss Hill
tons advice. She had not been very well
during the winter, and the doctor, dis
covering general breaking down, had
pIe6CIlU6u CudllBe VI oCCuO ailu oAA %
the most effective medicine.
Margaret cheerfully agreed with him,
and very gladly availed herself Of this
opportunity to escape for time the un-
pleasant notoriety which her late in
heritance had given her, and the more
than friendly overtures of polite
Cornelias, with ambitious, matrimonial
hopes for their respective jewels.
She did not realize Miss Hilton's fear
by regretting her selection of S'conset.
She found it both novel and delightful.
It's unique features amply atoned for
it's dullness, and with much to fill her
days she could not complain of mo-
notony.
There were pleasant walks along we'll
kept roads or across the moors, whose
swelling undulations OF rich coloring
were scarcely less impressive than the
ocean itself. Of the sea she could never
tire. Whatever it's mood, the broad ex-
panse Of lonely waters appealed to her
with fascination which only its lovers
understand.
The old houses, many of which had
| heard the storms Of two centuries and
gave ample evidence Of the fact, con-
tributed another element Of variety.
How many delightful hours she had
spent in their cozy interiors, climbing
shaky ladders doing duty for steps, to
bump her head against the rafters OF
funny little attics, hunting out the bits
of furniture which looked so ridiculously
| large in comparison with the rooms they
occupied, OF sitting in the tall, spindle
legged chairs before the broad Fireplace
watching the burning logs and listening
to tales of danger and adventure upon
the sea.
She loved nothing better than to pore
over the log books and follow in imagi.
nation the whaling expeditions of Other
and more prosperous days.
And the old captains, in whose ode
ways and quaint sayings she took sucf
amused interest, were always happy tx
spin their yarns for such appreciativ'
ears.
Thus she speedily grew in public IA
vor. She helped Aunt Maria to make
bread and bake beans, and ate her full
share of them afterward. She delighted
old Captain Baxter by pretending to be
lieve his unconscionable tales, and sh'
produced such an impression on Captain
:. Morris that he calamity and un
blushingly declared she was the kind o
girl he liked.
She was really and thoroughly enjoy
ing herself Yet, notwithstanding, Mi
Hilton, whsse preconceived notion
were not to be removed, continued t
write doleful letters, in which sympath,
for Margaret in her supposed drear.
surroundings was largely predominant
Realizing one of these commiseratini
notes ON the beach one afternoon, Mar
garet could not refrain from smiling a
she compared her actual surrounding
with those pictured by the writer.
The day was exceptionally, fine, clear
and warm, the bright sun and soft wind
seeming to hold the promise Of earl
summer. The sea, so often wild upc.
this dangerous coass, was unusual
calm, and the waves rolled in with Ian
guild rhythmic unison, a quivering swee
Of blue waters, breaking into curl 9
foam upon the high, broad beach.
From the bold bluff looking out upo
the restless ocean to the wave-washe
horizon rose the little village, marye
of quaint, picturesque beauty, with II
much shingled cottages of curious de
sign AMI still more curious architecture
Beyond lay broad expanse of moor
rising into range OF low-lying hills
and further still the distant sparkle {
the sea. Over all cloudless S'cons;
sky, and the promise of a glorious sun
8 set. Lying at full length on the beacl
Margaret enjoyed the calm serenity {
the scene about her.
But she wa; not left long in undis
turbed quiet. The current of he
) thoughts was rather rudely diverte
from Miss Hilton and her letter to th
, spectacle OF her hat sailing GRACEFUL
, up the beach under the impulse of
gust raised for the occasion.
. With an exclamation more forcib
than elegant, she sprang to her feet an
fastened in pursuit, until she We
brought to q breathless standstill by
very audible Hello!'
And the next second a head, followe
Immediately by the body of your
man. made itself visible from behir
one of the numerous dories lining Il
beach.
j, "Oh!" cried Margaret, somewhat sta
tied and wondering whether the suddt
apparition had fallen from the clouds
assembled from the sand.
Il beg your pardon, remarked th
very nj Oh alive apparition, surprised
his tLra, and displaying q remarkah
activity in getting on his feet. +
been asleep. Didn't know q soul W