American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-12-16

tureSQue. AT the waters edge STOOD
the terrible maiden aunt, and in car
rage near at hand sat the two military
gentlemen. Clara was certainly tax
ing her bath in presence of a vigilant
assembly.
Snow, then," thought Jack, "here
we are. What's to be done nextP"
As he padded further out into the
surf, he saw, slowly swimming down
the beach, outside the first line of break
ers, straw bathing-hat, which rose and
fell upon the huge rollers and occasion
ally disappeared entirely. As the hat
came nearer human head became Wis
ible beneath it, and, on reaching point
near Clara, il stopped and evidently adj
dressed her. The lady on the beach
and the gentlemen in the carriage be-
came restless. So did Jack, and he
SWAN toward the two figures in the
water, who now appeared to be in ear
nest conversation.
"Bless mel" exclaimed Jack as he
came nearer, al believe it's Grayson.
The water where they stood was near
ly shoulder-deep, and each huge roller
that came from seward lifted them
from their feet and rendered converse
ton somewhat difficult.
awe must hurry up this business,
said Grayson, as Jack arrived; "I've
explained it all to Miss Montieth and
old what's-his-name there in the car
riage and the lady's aunt will be wit
nesses."
He removed his scoop-shaped bath
ing That, and took therefrom small
book, which he held at arms length
above his head. Jack OWNED his in
tention at once, and, Selling Clara's
hand beneath the water, pressed it to
his heart. At that moment huge
wave swept over him, and the entire
party disappeared from view.
"Dearly beloved" said Grayson,
spluttering, and reading from the book,
which he still held in his hand, though
it was now reduced nearly to a pulp,
"dearly beloved, we are gathered to-
gether herein the face of-this COM
pany to join together this man and
this woman in holy matrimony.'
He paused until the next wave pass
ed, and then proceeded.
eff 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 on
" answer to this challenge, although
Clara's friends on shore were gesticu-
lating violently. They were out of
hearing, however, and Grayson con-
tinued:
"John Henry Turner, wilt thou have
this woman to be thy welded wife to
ive-gug-gug-gug-
The Rev. Mr.. Grayson's mouth was
full of saltwater, and the rest of the
sentence was indistinguishable.
81 wilt" 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 (we'n
have to shorten this, for I'm getting
chilly)?''
81 WILL" said Clara.
"Who giveth this woman to be mar
ried to this manP" asked Grayson, look
| ing toward the shore, where the two
old gentlemen, who had descended
from their carriage, were ranged, with
the maiden aunt, along the edge of the
water, gesticulating in the most frantic
manner, like the brigands in the opera.
"You do, ehP" he said. Then, turn
ing to Jack and Clara, he continued:
"Then pronounce You man aud wife,
and may
A monstrous billow struck the Rever-
end Grayson in the small of the back,
and launched him upon all tours to-
wards the beach. When he emerged,
Clara and Jack had disappeared.
Keep the book" he said, handing
it to Jack, as he and his bride struggled
to-their feet; .s the marriage certificate
is in it. Now let us make peace with
your father, Miss Monteith, and your
husband that was to be.''
It was not a very promising task, for
the former gentleman, who seemed to
have gained an inkling of what was GO
ing on, was stamping up and down the
beach in perfect fury. Encouraged by
Grayson's presence, however, Jack and
Clara knelt before him.
"Allow me to present to you Mr..
and Mrs. John Turner" said Mr.. Gray
son.
"Clara, go to your clearinghouse
and dress this instant" exclaimed the
old gentleman, fercely. "What TOM
foolery is all this, sir, and who the devil
are youP"
"Who the devil am IP" asked Gray
son.
"Yes, sir, who the devil are youP"
repeated Mr.. Monteith, livid with rage.
"My name is Grayson, sir, and 1
have just married your daughter to Mr..
Turner, and hope he will show more
affection for her as her husband than
her father has IS her parent" replied
Grayson, with some warmth.
"Yes, father" said Clara, tive are
married. o! father, forgive us, for
love him." and Clara twined her wet
arms around Jacks neck, and laid her
head on his shoulder.
Mr.. Montieth was speechless. His
face became purple, white, and red, by
turns, and he staggered as il about to