The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-08-19
= CHAPTER III.
THE COUSINS,

1hE COJ SINS.
On the southeastern coast Of Nan.
tucket Island Is situated the little town
OF Siasconset, formerly fishing hamlet
founded by brave and hardy men, who
built their box-like cabins on the Dol
bluff rising from this dangerous coast
and wrested from its waters their har-
vests of cod and pollock.
For two centuries this place had az
uneventful, unprogressive existence,
but lately the hand OF improvement has
touched 1t. 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-givina
air, its charming, unconventional fea-
lures afford O theme for never-endine
praise.
Margaret CHANGED to hear OF this odd
biz 60 creation, and longing for some
thing out OF the ordinary run, decided
to try its unconventional freedom, not
withstanding the season and Miss Hill
toms advice. She had not been very well
during the winter, and the doctor, dis
covering a general breaking down, had
prescribed change of scene and air as
the most effective medicine.
Margaret cheerfully agreed with him,
and very gladly availed herself of this
opportunity to escape for a time the I'M
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 1t both novel and delightful,
Its unique features amply atoned for
its 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 tho
ocean itself. OF the sea she could never
tire. Whatever its mood, the broad ex-
panse of lonely waters appealed TO her
with fascination which only it's 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, or 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 odd
ways and quaint sayings she took such
amused interest, were always happy to
spin their yarns for such appreciative
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-
lleve his unconscionable tales, and she
produced such an impression on Captain
Morris that he calamity and I'M
blushingly declared she was tho kind OF
girl he liked.
She was really and thoroughly enjoy
ing herself. Yet, notwithstanding, Mi s
Hilton, VIII, 50 preconceived notion
were not TO lie removed, cont.nued to
write doleful letters, in which sympathy
f)r Margaret in her supposed dreary
surroundings was largely predominant.
Rea ling one OF these commiserating
notes on the beach one afternoon, Mar
garet could not refrain from smiling as
SIZE compared her actual surroundings
with those pictured by the writer.
The day was exceptionally, fine, clear,
and warm, the bright sun and soft winds
seeming to hold the promise OF early
summer. The sea. so often Will upon
this dangerous cossr, was unusually
calm, and the waves rolled in with Ian
guild rhythmic un son, a quiver.ng sweep
OF blue waters, breaking into curl OF
foam upon the high. broad beach.
From the bold bluff looking out upon
the restless ocean to the wave-washed
horizon rose the little village, marvel
of quaint, picturesque ,auty, with its
!. uch-shingled cottages of curious de-
Uign mi still more curious architecture.
Beyond lay broad expanse of moor,
rising into a range o. low-lying hills,
and further still the distant sparkle o.
the sea. Over all cloudless S coEs IT
SKY, and the promise of glorious sun
set. Lying at full length on the beach.
Margaret enjoyed the calm serenity
the scene about her.
But she wal not left long in undis-
turbed quiet. The current of her
thoughts was rather rudely diverted
from Miss Hilton and her letter to the
spectacle of her ha. sailing gracefully
up the beach under the impulse OF q
gust raised for the occasion.
With an exclamation more forcible
than elegant, che sprang to her feet and
FASTENED in pursuit. until she was
brought TO a GREATNESS standstili by q
very audible "Hello!'
And the next second head. followed
Immediately by the body CT youn;
nan. made itself visible from behint
che Of tie numerous dories lining thu
beach.
aOh!" cried Margaret, somewhat star
lied and wondering whether the sudden
sprarition had fallen from the clouds OF
assembled from the sand.
IT beg your pardon. remarked tint
very much alive apparition, surprised II
his trrn, and displaying remarkable
sctfyity in getting on his feet. I've
leen asleep. Didn't know soul was