Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1885-04-23

scame out with us this voyage, ! suppose
only for her health, since she's going
right back. Understand she's an orphan,
and got some money. Shall introduce
your
ssOf 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 enthusiastic and
romantic in my language when / talk
about her, so you can imagine the condi-
ton 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.
81 don't suppose there is any place in
the world so favorable for Low e-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 q fine clip
per vessel, whose only propelling p over
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 quarterback pathway
which we were supposed not to venture
to tread without special summons.
''1here was something about Miss
Latimer-Rose was her name-which
was irresistibly attractive to me. do
not know exactly how to describe it, ex-
cept as curious compound of girlish
innocence and womanly frankness. Ono
would never dream of flirting with her,
and | fancy few people would have ven
tured on any direct love making without
speedy accompaniment of humble
entreaty for her hand. She was awfully
kind to me; used always to be afraid
that I'd over-exert myself, and was con-
stantly making me tell her stories of my
experiences. I am afraid that sometimes
/ a little overdid the Othello business,
but she never seemed to mind.
'Day after day slipped away in an &C.
stasy of happiness tempered with occa-
sional qualms of doubt. / hesitated to
put my fate to the test: for if by any
chance she should refuse me-and de-
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 me, I 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 l was very young; you can see
that from my state of mind. Well,
finally made 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 legal9' inquired.
I" 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 / 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
well to sound the captain, and see if he
would be willing to perform the cere-
mony. You see, Il wanted to have every
thing sure before I put my faith to the
test. I 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 | sent message by his boy, asking
# he could spare me few minutes. The
boy speedily returned with request that
I would follow him to the captains
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 | do anything for vou1''
Well, captain, it's rather delicate
matter, but wanted to ask you some
thing about your powers on board.
/" They are absolute, sir, he answered,
a little sternly. why do you ask2 Do
you want some one put in irons for in
bute1AS yOus
"'Not exactly, captain. The fetters
that would like you to use are of diff
ferent kind-the matrimonial ones
1.-THE deuce you say he exclaimed,
jumping to his feet, and his face light
ing up with sailors quick sympathy
for love affair. so you have lost your
heart to one Of my passengersl Pray
which is it2'
"'Well, captain, / answered. l know
+ can trust you not to let this go any
further at present. 1t is Miss Latimer.
s.I didn't quite like the look that came
over his face. Is it possible, I thought,
that this old sea-dog is a little bit gone
in that quarter himself?