Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-12-17
The Bridegr0Om's Fate.
BY RUFUS HALE.

w III ,Nou NC Ia WiAOy DOco'p'
1t was Harry Bolton, a good-looking
Nantucket mate, who put this impor-
liant question one night to the captains
niece. aboard the whale-ship Wanderer,
then in the Arctic Ocean.
Bessie Barker, who was a pretty
young woman, turned towards the
speaker, her rosy face and black eyes
lighted by the lantern in the rigging,
and answered with the frank spirit of a
true Nantucket lass:
~ will be your wife, Harry, but you
may as we'll ask uncle if he is willing"
"Of course you can have her." said
the good natured skipper, when the
first officer entered the cabin and told
his errand; land if you like, you can
be married aboard ship:"
81 wonld like that, sir, if Bessie
would"
"But how will Darkle feel ?" said
she captain, abiding to his second
mate, who had also wanted Bessie, but
whom she had refused. He has saw
age temper"
81 care nothing for his temper" said
Bolton. He would not dare to inter-
fere."
Soon after, he went on deck and
spoke to Bessie about being married
aboard the ship.
She consented, and it was agreed that
the wedding should take place fort.
night thereafter. Mr.. Gray, mission
airy, who had taken passage at the Sand
wich Islands aboard the Wanderer. for
the benefit of his health, could perform
the ceremony.
On an afternoon about two days be-
fore the one fixed for the wedding, the
man at the masthead gave notice that
he saw far astern through an opening
amongst q field of floating icebergs,
something which looked like wreck.
The captain, surveying it through his
glass, pronounced it to be schooner,
half sunken in the sea, with only the
forward part of her hull and the stump
Of her foremost visible.
"Take a boat, Mr.. Darkle," he said
to his second mate, land find out what
craft she is. Look about you, and see
if any of her crew are in sight,
Ay, ay, sir" answered Darkle.
hope it is not my brothers craft
the Mt. Vernon" remarked Bolton.
"The last time heard from him, he
said he was going to cruise up here. I
should like to 60 too, SIR"
"You may CO." said the skipper.
Throwing over his shoulders a COM
Portable cloak he usually wore when on
duty, and which was neatly trimmed
with black and white fur, Bolton sprang
into the boat which was now down, with
the second mate in the stern sheets.
Darkle wore no cloak, but in other re-
spects his attire was like that of the
first officer, to whom in fact, in size
and complexion, he bore some resem-
blancc, although the bearing and man
ner OF the two were essentially differ
emit.
Night had fallen by the time the
boat reached the wreck, and in the fast
gathering gloom Bolton, who had
brought no lantern, had some trouble
to discover the name of the craft.
1t is not the Mt. Vernon" he cried,
finally making out; Laura, in gilt let
tiers. on the bow.
He sprang aboard, followed by
Darkle.
"Pull back to the ship said the
latter, soon after to the crew, "and get
instructions. see light just beyond
that headland," he added, pointing to
an elevation looming up about half a
mile from the wreck. Ask the captain
if be will not send two or three boats
that we may take off the crew of this
craft, who are doubtless ashore there,
with their effects"
He gave the orders while Bolton
down in the forecastle looking about
him, could not hear what he said.
The boat disappeared in the gather
ing shadows, and when Bolton came up
he was surprised to find it gone.
Darkle explained why he had sent it
away. There was fierce frown on his
brow as he spoke, and the first mate
could see his eyes flashing like those
of wild beast through the partial
gloom. All at once he threw himself
upon his companion, striking at him
with handspike he had picked up.
Rascal! you shall never marry her!"
he cried. will kill you first!'
Hold there, Darkle--are you out
of your senses ? What is the use of
being angry about it?" cried Bolton.
DOdgiug the handSpike. at the same