Smyrna times., 1876-12-20

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Jack; "that won't do. Wewould be caugh
! before we could leave the island"
t You haven't an inkling of what mean,'
sad Grayson. "Clara is yours. Now &c
home to your clearinghouse and sleep
serenely. This is the most atrocious case |
ever heard of, and you have my sympathy
, No thanks. Good night. Fine business
for minister of the Gospel, but will help
you, my boy. Goodnight, old fellow
And Grayson fairly showed his friend from
the room and closed the door upon him.
When he had gone he turned the KEY, and
sat down by the window to think again.
Miss Clara Monteith, stepping forth from
her clearinghouse and running across the
beach, stopping for a moment to play with
her little white feet in one OF the pools that
the receading tide had left, and then
plunglng gleefully into the surf, was pic.
ture for painter. Clad in a bewitchino
costume of white and scarlet, and with
her beautiful yellow hair streaming over
her shoulders, she looked to Jack Turner
peeping through the round window Of his
bathlng-house like the poetic embodiment
OF summer sunshine, glancing for moment
across the sand, and then slipping into the
cool wave and riding upon its crest. Jack
himself, as he entered the water farther
down the beach, dressed in a baggy blue
SHIRT and trowsers, was scarcely so nic.
turesque At the waters edge stood the
terrible maiden aunt, and in carriage near
at hand, sat the two military gentlemen.
Clara was certainly taking her bath in
presence OF vigilant assembly.
'Now then" thought Jack, "here we are
What's to be done next?"
As he padded further out into the surf
he saw, slowly swimming down the beach
outside the first line of breakers. a straw
bathing hat which rose and fell upon the
huge rollers, and occasionally disappeared
entirely. As the hat came nearer. a human
head became visible beneath it. and on
reaching point near Clara it stopped and
evidently addressed her. The lady on the
beach and the gentleman in the carriage
became restless. SO did Jack and he swan
toward the two figures in the water, who
now appeared to be in earnest conversation.
BLESS met exclaimed Jack as he came
nearer. Il believe it is Graysonr
The water where they stood was nearly
shoulder deep, and each huge roller that
came in from seaward lifted#bem from their
feet and rendered conversation somewhat
difficult
I'VE must hurry up this business said
Grayson, as Jack arrived. "Ivc explained
it all to Miss Monteith, and old.what's.bis.
name there in the carriage and the lady's
aunt will be witnesses"
lie removed his scoope-shaped bathing
hat, and took therefrom small book, which
ne held alarms slength above his head. Jack
OWNED his intention at once, and seizinr
Clara's hand beneath the water pressed Il
to his heart. At that moment a huge
wave swept over him, and the entire partv
disappeared from view.
dearly beloved" said Grayson. splutter.
ing, and reading from the book. which he
still held in his hand, though it was now re-
duced nearly to pulp; clearly beloved. |
we are gathered together herein the face
ot-this company, to join-together this
man and this woman in holy matrImony."
lie paused until the next wave passed. |
and then proceeded.
"lf any man can show just cause why
they may not lawfully be joined together
There goes my hat) let him now speak. or
else hereafter forever hold his peace"
The wild wash of the sea was the only
answer to this challenge, although Clara's
friends on shore were gesticuating violently.
They were out Of hearing, however, and
Grayson continued:
John Henry Turner, wilt thou have this
woman to be thy wooded wife, to llve-tug
-gug-gug-"
The Rev. Mr.. Grayson's mouth was full
OF salt water, and the rest of the sentence
was sindistinguishable.
u will !" yelled Jack, leaping into the
air to avoid the next roller that broke over
them.
CLARA Monteith, wilt thou have this man
to be thy welded husband, Cwe'H have TO
shorten this for, I'm getting chillyr9
81 will said Clara
"Who giveth this woman TO he martial
10 this man?' asked Grayson, looking
towards the shore, where the two old gentle,
men, who had descended from their car. {
Rage, were ranged with the maiden aunt ,
'long the edge Of tho water, gesticulatinr s
N the most frantic manner like the Lrigands 6
n the opera. {
'You do, ch?'' he said. Then turnino 70 {
Jack and Clara, lie continued: "Tbsp I '
pronounce you man and wife, and nav, a
A monstrous bllow struck the Rev. Grav. $
on in the small of the back, and launched S
him upon all fours towards the beach I
When he emerged Clara and Jack had dis. Il
Ippeared. S
keep the book" he said, handing il to b
lack, as he and his bride struggled to their t