Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1885-08-15
hold Of nv friend Watson, and inquired


the name Of the young lady.
"'She's Miss Latimer,' he said;
'oa,ae out with us this voyage, 1 sup
pose only for her health, since she's go
ing right back. Understand she's an
orphan and got some money. Dresses
well, at least. Shall introduce you?"
"Of course jumped at the offer, and
very soon the magic words were spoken
which privileged me to speak to my
idol. You see even now get enthusi-
astic and romantic in my language when
/ talk about her, so you can imagine
the condition of hopeless 'smite' in
which was then. Well, she proved
to be just as charming as she looked,
and before I turned in for the night I
was deeply, desperately in love.
IL don't suppose there is any place in
the world so favorable for love-making
as . comfortable passenger ship. Not
one of these new ocean greyhounds'
that rush at break-neck speed through
all kinds of weather, and land you at
your destination almost before you have
time to know any one aboard, but fine
clipper vessel, whose only propelling
power is natures breath, and to the
passengers on which every change of
weather or shift of wind is of vast i'm.
port and interest. These afford endless
themes for talk, and mutual interest
seems to draw people closer together.
Miss Latimer had quite an affection for
the Winchester, which had brought
her safely from England, and was then
l. 10 H.,
tam appeared to be on excellent terms,
and she was often invited to walk on
the captains own side of the quarter
deck-a pathway which we were sup
posed not to tread without special
summons.
"There was something about Miss
Latimer-Rose was her name-whieh
was irresistibly attractive to me. dc
not know exactly how to describe it, ex-
cept as curious compound of girlish
innocence and womanly frankness.
One would never dream of flirting with
her, and fancy few people would have
ventured on any direct love-making
without q speedy accompaniment of
humble entreatv for her hand. She
was awfully kind to me; used always to
be afraid that I'd overexert myself; and
was constantly making me tell her sto-
ries of my experiences. L am afraid
that sometimes 1 little overdid the
Othello business, but she never seemed
to mind.
"Day after day slipped away in an
ecstacy of happiness tempered
with occasional qualms of doubt.
I hesitated to put my fate to test,
for if by chance she should refuse me-
and despite nv belief that my affection
was returned, such an event was barely
possible--it would be very unpleasant
to meet her every DAY for at least two
months. Again, if she accepted me, L
should be so anxious to be married THAT
I couldn't bear to think of waiting till
we got to England. There Is no need
for me to say that 1 was very young
you can see that from my state of mind.
Well, finally 1 made a confidant Of
Watson. He cut the Gordian knot at
once. ASK the lady, he said, and if
she consents, get the captain to marry
you as soon as she's agreeable
"'But is that legal 2 inquired.
"'Perfectly. 1t will be duly entered
in the ships log, just the same as q
birth. The captain Is ex-ofiicio clergy
man magistrate, registrar and some
times DOCTOR
"The idea was splendid, and l gave
Watson my best thanks. Ishould have
at once proceeded to act on his advice,
but it occurred to mo that it might be
as well to sound the captain, and see If
he would be willing to perform the
ceremony. You see, 1 wanted to have
everything sure before put nv fate to
the test, waited through one day for a
favorable opportunity to speak to the
captain on deck, but he never invited
me to share his walk. So the next
morning sent message by his boy,
asking If he could spare me few min
utes. The boy speedily returned with
a request that I would follow him to
the captains cabin.
at found the great man sitting at his
table looking over a chart. Somehow
or other he appeared to me to be unus-
ually formidable. "'Good morning,
Captain Hamilton he said, as he
waved me to take seat. Can do
anything for youY
"Well, captain, it's rather delicate
matter, but l wanted to ask you some
thing about your powers on boardp
"dThey are absolute, sir, he answered
o little sternly. Why do you ask? DC
you want some one put in irons for In
sulting youY
"'Not exactly, captain. The fetters
that I would like you to use are OF 6
different kind-the matrimonial ones.
"The devil you sayp he exclaimed,
jumping to his feet, and his face light
ing up with sailors quick sympathy
for o love affair. so you've lost YOU
heart 70 one of my passengers? Pray
which is it?'
"Well, captain, answered, I know
I can trust you not to let this go any
further at present. tits Miss Latimer.
II didn't quite like the look that came
over his face. Is it possible, 1 thought
that this old sea dog is little bit gon'
in this quarter himself?
"He gave me plenty of time to thinl
before he made any verbal comment Oh
nv announcement. His words we're:
"'Pray, sir, have you spoken to th'
lady on the subject of your hopesP"
"'Not yet, captain.
"'Has she given you any encourage
ment to think that the love you sa,
you feel is returned by herY"
"'No, captain, but she has been yer.
kind to me, and has talked to me
, great deal, and seemed to like to haV