Paul Ralston by Mary Jane Holmes

It was the fashionable hour for bathing. The band, which alternated between Oceanside and the Heights, was to play that morning, and the pavilion was full of people watching the bathers diving, swimming and jumping and filling the air with shouts of laughter. Elithe had wanted her aunt to come with her, but Miss Hansford had excused herself and consigned her to the care of a lady, who promised that she should not stay in the water too long or get beyond her depth. At first Elithe looked round for Paul. He was not to be seen, and, thinking he had probably gone fishing, she took possession of her bath room and arrayed herself in her blue suit, which was rather baggy and conspicuous from its over size. She, however, did not think so, and started gayly with her friend across the platform or bridge leading to the water. At the head of the steps Clarice Percy was standing, clad in a fanciful costume of black, trimmed with scarlet, and exposing so much of her person that Elithe felt ashamed for her, and wondered how she could look so unconcerned with so many masculine eyes upon her. Although Clarice had not called upon Elithe, she had seen her several times and knew she was at the bath house, for they had come down in the same car, she sitting in front and Elithe, who got in later, in the rear. Clarice usually bathed at the Tower on the Oceanside, as it was nearer her mother's cottage, but this morning she was at the Heights for a purpose of her own. Paul had told her the previous night not to expect him the next day, for, if he did not go fishing, he should be at the Heights, as Elithe was to take her first bath and he had promised to see to her.

Paul had talked too much of Elithe to suit Clarice, who sometimes felt that she hated the girl because of his interest in her. She was, however, too politic to show her real feelings. Smiling very sweetly, she said: "That will suit me perfectly, as I am going there, too. I'm told it is not as stony as at the Tower."