The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1903-12-25

"You see. one grows tired Of life IN
Tho same grooves. a Changole8s day
gets 20 be monotonous" explained Ned
Holcomb. while idly throwing small
pieces Of rock into tho channel, where
A lay around Rock Point and watch
ing the play OF sunshine and shadow
over the water as light clouds iioated
across the Sky, driven slowly along by
a south breeze, this calm April after
noon.
"Your queer. charming habltation'
right out I'm the middle of the ocean, Is
so inaccessible and remote, it seems
like a different world from ordinary
humdrum city life. What an ideal re-
treat, and how you must enjoy getting
beyond peoples reach, and away from
sin and wickodness and all uncharlta-
bleness." conunued HolcOmb, leaning
back against the abutment Of the light
house. and fitting his hat over his eyes
TO shade them from the slanting rays
of the sun, gliding the vast eXpanse OF
the ocean, shining white on the sails
OF the fishing fleet sdmming home
ward and outlining the rigging and
smokestacks Of an ocean liner steaming
across the bar.
Yyette smiled a little wistfully, for
the solitude Of their storm-beaten ey-
RE, so alluring to Ned as a relief from
the whiz of electric cars, the iangling
noises Of the city, and perpetual con-
tact with humanity, was sometimes OPP
pressive to one so endowed with life
and spirits as were the eternal wash
and moan of the sea on the jagged
rocks Of the reef
Then Yvette laughed and turning
looked with frank gayety at Ned
HolcOmb
How long do you think you could
live here, away from your friends and
business; with just the sea to sing to
you, and only the stars at night to tell
you tales? What would you do with
yourself all day and in the EVENING""
Il never said I'd like to live here
without-any-com Ned
said, returning the frank look of
Yvette's deep, gray eyes with one of
open admiration, mingled with
frlendliness Yvette had grown quite
accustomed to by this time
For, since the visit of the Sea Gull,
three months ago, to Rock Point light
house, Ned Holcomb had developed a
great love for the sea apparently, and
had fallen into the habit of sailing far
out into the harbor to do deep sea
fishing on the outer rocks. Going or
returning, he would stop at the light
house, to bring, as he mad promised,
papers and periodicals to Ben Ker, and
books, sweets and flowers to Yvette,
nwhose glad pleasure, so unrestrainedly
expressed, produced a curious impress
sion on their giver.
Running slowly back to the city at
nightfall or later when the rising moon
was casting myterious witcheries over
the ripping tide, Ned Holcomb would
see Yvettes face, and the CLEAN of the
lighthouse beacon, not ,.-e electric
lights of the distant city and its
church spires stretching up against the
sky.
There's a fascination about the sea"
Yvette said,. slowly, turning her gaze
toward the far distant horizon, anu ig-
noring her companions last remark
Gwen when in winter the wild storms
dash the pillows up against the light
house, and the winds shrek and
whistle, it gives one an eXultant feel
81, 10.
firm for all their fuster and rage; they
can't prevail and tear it to pieces.
Then in the summer you can't think
how lovely the sea is out here. How
pleasantly it whispers, and how sweet
ly the little waves drone one to sleep.
I've sometimes thought it dreary, but
how will miss the dear old lighthouse!
The never-ceastng sound Of the waves,
and the call of the sea gulls, and the
salt spray in the air. How l love it
ALL"
They were sitting on the rocks,
watching the sunset on the ocean, and
the tide being low, short waves were
breaking at the foot of the reef, max
ing q nonotonous sound
what do you mean?" queried Ned
Holcomb, a curious pang running
through him. You're not thinking Of
going away?"
Yvette nodded slowly.
Ned Holcomb turned quickly; then
paused in what he was going to say,
for what business was it of his why
Yvette and the old man, her father,
should give up their care of the light
house and go-perhaps back to the lit
tie village on the Brittany coast, from