The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1885-04-30

iusA dI UItdk-ueCk speed through all
kinds of weather, and land you at your
destination almost before you have time
to know any one aboard, but a fine clip
per 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 import and in
terest. These afford endless themes for
talk. and mutual interest seems to draw
people closer together. Miss Latimer
had quite an affection for the Winches-
ter, which had brought her safely from
England, and was then bearing her
back. She and the captain 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 supposed not to venture
to tread without a special summons.
There was something about Miss
Latimer-Rose was her name-which
was irresistibly attractive to me. l do
not know exactly how to describe it, ex-
cept as curious com pound Of girlish
innocence and womanly frankDess One
would never dream of flirting with her,
and l fancy few people would have ven
tured on any direct love making without
speedy accompaniment of a humble
entreatv for her hand. She was awfully
kind to me; used always to be afraid
that I'd overexert myself, and was con
stantly making me tell her stories of my
experiences. | am afraid that sometimes
l little overd1d the Othello business,
but she never seemed to mind.
DAY after day slippe d away in an &c
stasy of happiness tempered with occa-
sional Qualms of doubt. l hesitated tc
put my fate to the test for if by any
chance she should refuse me-and dc
spite my belief that my affection was re-
turned, such an event was barely posi-
ble-it would be very unpleasant to meet
her every day for at least two months
Again. if she accepted roe, l should be
so anxious to be married that couldn't
bear to think of waiting till we got to
England. There is no need for me to
say that | was very young; you can see
that from my state of mind. Well,
finally made a confdant 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 legalr inquired.
Perfectly. 1t will be duly entered
in the ships log just the same as birth.
The captain is ex-officio clergyman, mag
istrate, registrar and sometimes doc
tor
THE idea was splendid, and I gave
Watson my best thanks. I should have
at once proceeded to act on his advice,
but it occurred to me that it might be as
we'll to sound the captain, and see if he
would be wiling to perform the cere-
mony. You see, [ wanted to have every
thing sure before I put my faith to the
test. l 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 morn
ing l sent message by his boy, asking
if he could spare me few minutes. The
boy speedily returned with request that
1 would follow him to the captains s
cabin.
81 found the great man sitting at his
table looking over a chart. Somehow or
other he appeared to be unusually for
midable.
Good morning, Captain Hamilton, ,
he said, as he waved me to take seat.
Can I do anything for you2'
C well, captain, it's rather delicate
matter, but I wanted to ask you some
thing about your powers on board
They are absolute, sir, he answered,
little sternly. 'Why do you ask2 Do
you want s,me one put in irons for in
sulting you.'
"'Not exactly, captain. The fetters
that l would like you to use are of diff
ferent k1nd-the matrimonial ones'
"'The deuce you sayn he exclaimed,
jumping to his feet and his face light
ing up with sailors quick sympathy
for a love affair. so you have lost your
heart to one of my passengers? Pray
which is it?'
"'Well, captain, l answered. 1 know
can trust you not to let this go any
further at present. 1t is Miss Latimer. ,
81 didn't quite like the look that came
over his face. Is it possible, thought,
that this old sea dog is little bit gone
in that quarter himself?
''He gave me plenty of time to think
before he made any verbal comment on
my announcement. His first words were !:
"'Pray, sir, have you spoken to the
lady on the subject of your hopes?'
"' Not yet, captain
{" Has she given you any encourage
ment to think that the love you say you
feel is returned by her?'
kind to me- and has talked to me great
deal, and seemed to like to have me talk
to her.
"'And on these faint grounds you
base your hopes?'
81 didn't at all like the tone in which
he made that remark, and l was about
to reply little haughtily. suppose he
saw the expression on my face, and he
stopped me from speaking by holding
up his hand.
tDon't say any more, Captain Hamil-
ton. 1 ought to have stopped you before.
| couldn't possibly marry you to the
lady
"'Why not. Captain Smith2' asked,
rather warmly.
Because, sir, couldn't very well
marry you to my own wife
"'What?' almost shrieked.
.My wife, he answered, firmly. I
am very sorry you should be placed in
so unpleasant position. 1t is partly
my fault, but much more that of your
own youth and rashness. You are an
officer and gentleman, and will respect
the secret l am about to contide to YOU. ;
81 felt so utterly crushed that was
scarcely sensible of where was. Ger
tainly did not fully understand all he
was saying. but l managed to retain
sense enough to bow my head in sign of
assent.
"I was married. said the captain,