Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1885-05-29


about her, so YOU can imagine the
condition Of hopeless 'smlle' IN
which was then. Well, she proved
to be just as charming as she look
cd, and before turned in for the
night was deeply, desperately IN
love.
Il don't suppose there is any
place in the world so favorable for
lOve.making as comfortable pass
onger 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 import and interest.
These afford endless themes for
talk, and mutual interest seems TO
draw people closer together. Miss
1 Latimer had quite an affection for
the Winchester, which had brought
her safely from England, and was
then bearing her back. She and
the captain appeared to be on ex-
cellent 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 Latimcr-ROse was her name
Which was irresistibly attractive TO
me. | do not know exactly how to
describe it, except as a curious
compound of girllsh 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 a speedy accompaniment
of a humble entreaty for her hand.
She was awfully kind to me; used
always to be afraid that I'd over
exert myself, aud was constantly
making me tell her stories of my
experiences. am afraid that
sometimes | a little oyerdid the
Othello business, but she never
seemed to mind.
'Day after day slipped away in
an ecstasy Of happiness tempered
with occasional Qualms of doubt.
lhesitated to put my fate to the
test, for if by any chance she should
refuse me-and despite my 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, 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, final
" | made a COMPLIANT Of Watson.
He cut the GOrdian knot at once.
'As the LADY, he said, aud if she
consents get the captain to marry
you as soon as she's agreeable
But is that legal Z / inquired.
Perfectly. 1t will be duly en-.
tered in the ships log just the same
as d birth. The captain is &C olfcio
clergyman, magistrate, registrar,
and sometimes DOCTOR
The idea was splendid, and |
gave Watson nv best thanks. l
should have at once proceeded to
act Oh his advice, but it occurred to
me that it might be as well to sound
the captain and sec if he would be
willing to perform the ceremony.
You see, wanted to have every
thing sure before put my 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 a message
by his boy, asking if he could spare
me a few minutes. Tho boy speedi-
~ returned with a request that !
would follow him to the captains
cabin.
Il found the great man sitting al
his table looking over a chart
Somehow or other he appeared to
me as unusually formidable.
Good morning, Captain Hamil
tom he said, as he waved me tt
take seat. 'Can / do anything
for you 7
dwell, captain, it's rather a deli
cate matter, but l wanted to asl
you something about your powers
on board
"Thcy are absolute, sir he an
swered a little sternly. 'Why d'
you ask DO you want some on,
put in irons for insulting you ?
"Not exactly, captain. The fet
ters that / would like you to use ar,
of different kind-thc matimo
! NAL ones
r "The devil, you say he exclaim
ed, jumping to his feet, and his fac
, lighting up with a sailors quicI
, sympathy for love affair. IS
you have lost your heart to one o
f my passeng gers Pray which Is it
Well, captain | answered, {
/ - - .a.. - a. l.. A. ;