Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-07-04
A SIREN OF THE SEA.
A STORY OF TWO LOVES.

! A STORY OF TWO LOVES.
You see. one grows tired of life in
the same grooves. 4 changeless day gets
TO he monotonous," explained Ned Hol-
comb. while idly throwing small pieces
of rock into the channel where it lay
around Rock point, and watching the
| play Of sunshine and shadow over the
water, as light clouds foated across the
sky. driven slowly along by a south
breeze this calm April afternoon.
Your queer, charming habitation.
right out in the middle OF the ocean, is
SO inaccessible and remote, it seems like
a different world from ordinary hum
drum city life What an ideal retreat,
and how you must enjoy getting beyond
peoples reach, and away from sin and
wickedness and all uncharitableness,"
continued Holcomb, leaning back against
the abutnent OF the lighthouse, and tilt
ing his hat over his eyes to shade them
from the slanting rays 0; the sun, gid
| ing the vast eXpanse of the ocean, shin
| ing white on the sails of the fishing fleet
! skimming homeward, and outlining the
rigging and smokestacks of an ocean
| liner steaming in across the bar.
| Yvette smiled little wistfulIy, for
the solitude of their storm beaten lyric,
so alluring to Ned as a relief from the
whiz OF electric cars, the jangling noises
of the city, and perpetual contact with
humanity, was sometimes oppressive to
one 50 endowed with life and spirits as
we're the eternal wash and moan of the
sea on the Jagged rocks of the reef.
Then Ivette laughed. and turning,
looked with "A frank gayety at Ned HoI-
comb.
How long do YOU think you could
| live here, away from your friends and
business; with just the sea 10 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 with.
out any companionship, Ned said, re-
turning the frank look of lvettes deep
gray eyes with one Of open admiration
mingled with friendliness Yyette 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 fish
| ing, he would stop at the lighthouse, To
bring, as he had promised, papers and
periodicals to Ben ker, and books, sweets
and flowers to Yvette, whose glad pleas
ure, so unrestrainedly expressed, pro-
duced curious impression OH their
| giver.
Running slowly back to the city at
mghtfall or later, when the rising moon
was casting mysterious witcheries over
the ripping tide, Ned Holcomb would
see Ivette's face, and the gleam of the
| lighthouse beacon, not the electric lights
of the distant city and its church spires
stretching up against the sky.
There's a fascination about the sea, -
Ivette said, slowly, turning her gaze to-
ward the far distant horizon. and ignor-
ing her companions last remark. Even
when in winter the Wind storms dash the
pillows up against the lighthouse. and
| the winds shrek and whistle, it gives
one an exultant feeling TO know that the
Old tower stands firm for all their tluster
and rage; they can't prevail and tear it
10 pieces Then in the summer you can't
think how lovely the sea is out here.
How pleasantly it whispers. and how
| sweetly the little waves drone one 10
sleep! I've sometimes thought it dreary.
but how | will miss the dear old light
house. The never ceasing sound of the
waves, and the call of the sea gulls, and
| the salt spray in the air. How | love il
ALL"
They were sitting on the rocks. watch
nS the sunset on the ocean. and the tide
being low, short waves were breaking at
the foot of the reef. making a monoton-
| Gus sound.
What do You meang" queried Ned
Holcomb, curious pang running through
mm. You're not thinking OF going
away ~
lVctte nodded slowly.
Ned Holcomh 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 lighthouse and 90
| perhaps back to the little village ON the
Brittany coaSt, from which he had drift
Ell long years ago.
Why should he care ii this beautiful
SWl went away from this lonely dwelling
| place which she had made 50 bright and
attractive; chose rooms within the stone
tower She had adorned and heautified
| until they seemed 10 Ned Holcomb to be
| an ideal spot on the earths surface ?
| WAY. IN heavens name. should he careg
The lighthouse would be turned over
L" some rough seaman, and the beacon
would SHINE just as well as when Ben
Ner tendcd II with Nvette's help.
lie Is much stronger end better since
the warm spring days have come. but
the doctor says he must not stav at the
| lighthouse another winter. Then-in
June will 20 to live in the village on
the island, but my darling old dad must
come. too. | would die if were sep,
aated from him"
Again there was a pause. which Ned
Hoioo'nb filled up mentally by picturing
what t~A.e iutting rocks would be with.