Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-10-09
HUMIDITY
Versus LOVE
A Summer Story of Seaside
and City.
BY BEATRICE E. RICE.


nesting against your hair. Milly. Why
don't you ever wear them now?' Young
Wallace. big. brown and athletic, changed
his seat from the inlaid chair with the
uncomfortable back to one beside Mil
dred on the settee.
There" thought the girl, putting up
two slender hands and gathering up the
obstinate hair for the third time. II might
have known he would remark these hor-
rid little bristling things" She remem-
bered that during the winter when they
were at the ball he had complimented the
little curling tendrils at the nape OF her
neck.
by Jove, Milly," wallace's voice
broke In upon her reverie, ''do you know
that you are actually growing thinY' His
eyes swept from the two small feet up
ward until they rested on the slim white
throat that appeared above the lace Of
the hchu that surrounded il.
''oh, 1 always lose flesh in the summer
time" Mldrcd's voice sounded distant.
as IL he had touched upon an unpleasant
topic. and she fancied she surprised a
lurking glimmer OF a smile deep down in
bis eyes and quickly supplied the thought
that she imagined had been the cause of
Il. always lose flesh in summer; why.
he's thinking that"
That Winston girls peach. Did you
ever meet her. MiliyT' Wallace rested his
elbows on his knees and dug his square
Jaw into the bracket made by his folded
hands and thumbs, while he regarded
Mildred out of the corner of his eye.
"No. I never have"
sShe had a stunning suit on the other
day. Swims like fish, you know, and
cay. well. you should see her arms.
They are absolutely fawless." Wallace
warmed up 20 his subject as he saw
faint flush creep into Mildred's cheek.
Il wish. Milly. you could manage to
come down 90 Sea Dirt for week or
. two. Mothers crazy to have you. and
she will tx Il up with your father il you'n
only say the word. You can swim, can't
your"
"No. not a single stroke. and I'm afraid
% the water. drcadfully so. those waves
look 80 fearfully big rs they roll In upon
one" and she gave a little unconscious
SILVER; then all az once discovered that
Wallace was regarding her intently and
promptly concluded that her graceful
limbs crossed In an attitude OF perfect
ease were making what appeared TO her
critical eyes most awkward and inartistic
AlLNH NtAlNMNl AAN SUI AtlA1 VI A'A A+aaA4h
rown. 50 she sat up OF a sudden very
prim and straight. Wallace was thinking
how sweet the gown was and so fitting
rnrh Tor the girl who wore IL.
"oh. you'd soon get over that feeling OF
fright" he said. "Why. Betty Winston
says she always has Il, just like stage
fright. every time she FIRST goes In. |
swan along "a her the other day until
she gut over a."
A vision - eirl IN a stunning bathing
suit. with absolutely flawless' arms.
swimming with graceful motions and
floating iarily on the incoming pillows
fashci before Midrcd's eyes. and she
moved trife away from Wallace and
isanod her bead YEARLY against the wall.
"Daes she always have 10 have some
one swim beside herr she asked 10
louurrd voice.
~Yrs Cor a rod or tive. until she gets
M steam. snd there are 50 few fellows
down there. except on Sunday, that
renerally tender my services.'
Il see" Mildred drew the lace Of her
fchu a little closer 70 the throat
eve three could have considerable
sport II you'd only come down to the
shore. I've got whole month o. leisure
yet"
eve three" thought Mildred. at used
20 be Ne two. Wouldn't you have some
lofnouado OF ciaret cupT' was what she
said aioud.
.'oh. 1 don't know Suppose you come
cut aad have an ice. The air win DO you
good. ahi yon dealt hove 60 put ga your
hat way out here"
emo. thank yau. don't think I care
about cream Tonight. It's pleasanter
here
Wallace sighed. W did not quite know
WIN. only MHdred's manner seemed 20
have a depressing eject npon his spirits.
In the winter and even up 90 the present
evening she had always seemed fuii OF
NE and vitality. but-he stole look az
ber-tle rnys 20 the iamp in the wrought
iron lantern zen upon her head and up
turned face. deepening the shadows under
the ewes and accrutuating the little hoi.
lows IN the cheeks. Il wonder what has
made her grow 10 thin. That tiresame
old governor ~ hers. I suspect" Thea
Mildred wa forgotten fer az instant as
an Interesting mental picture asserted it-
self lie saw a hotel veranda, long aud
wide. filed with a throng q merry Deo-
ple. who were laughing and chatting 20
the accompaniment ~ TIE oeean's roar
while through the French windows Of the
bic BALLROOM strains Of waltz hoaied out
20 them all. An AZ once girl appeared
ia the doorway leading 90 TO the porch.
The electric light above her turned her
yellow hair into an aureoie Of sparkiins
gold and touched her gown here sud there
with silvery high lights. The figure q a
man-bimself-l a group on the piazza
and approached the girl
.Tm sorry" the man said, 'but ] won't
he abs 10 lead the german with you To-
morrow night. I have an important en-
gagement In town -.
The mouth OF the girl dropped a little
at the corners. then twisted ITSELF up into
the eutest little grimace imaginable On
dear.s IL said, "men are 10 scarce down