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

.,@.Shs,s a Miss Latimer,' he said /;
came out with us this voyage, sup
pose only for her health, since she's 60
ing right back. Understand she's an
orphan and got some money. Dresses
well, at least Shall introduce you?"
"Of course I 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.
~ 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 9.
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
bearing her back. She and the cap
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 a special
summons.
"There 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.
One would never dream of flirting with
her, and fancy few people would have
ventured on any direct love-making
without 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.
l 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 Jay for at least two
months. Again, if she accepted me,
should be so anxious to be married that
l couldn't bear to think of waiting tn
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 made a confidant OF
Watson. He cut the Gordian knot al
once. ASK the lady, he said, and if
she consents, get the captain to marry
you as soon as shes agreeable
4 But is that legal p I inquired.
"'Perfectly. 1t will be duly entered
in the ships log, just the same as a
birth. The captain is ex-officio clergy
man magistrate,s registrar and some.
times doctor.
"The idea was splendid, and / gave
Watson my best thanks. Ishould 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 il
he would be willing to perform the
ceremony. You see, wanted to have
everything sure before 1 put nv fate to
the test, l waited through one dav for 9
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 few min.
utes. The boy speedily returned with
request that 1 would follow him te
j the captains cabin.
"I found the great man sitting at his
table looking over chart. Somehow
or other he appeared to me to be unus-
ually formidable. "'Good morning
Captain Hamilton he said, as hi
waved me to take a seat. Can I d.
anything for youg.
4 "Well, captain, it's rather delicate
matter, but wanted to ask you some
thing about your powers ON boardT
S"They are absolute, sir, he answered
q little sternly. why do you ask? d.
you want some one put in irons for In
sulting your
IL rsNot exactly, captain. The fetter
tthat I would like you to use are of
different kind-the matrimonial ones
The devil you ssayp he exclaimed
; jumping to his feet, and his face light
Z linG no with, q sailors quick sympath,
! I'for love a1aif.. 80 you've lost you
heart TO one Of my passengers? Pra
, which is it.
n "Well, captain, I answered, Z kno,
, / can trust you not to let this go an
further at present. 1t is Miss Latimer
"I didn't quite like the look that cam
over his face. Is it possible, 1 thought
that this old sea dog is a little bit gon
| / in this quarter himself?
."He gave me planty Of time to thin
: Ebefore he made any verbal comment o
8 my announcement. His words were:
.~'Pray, sir, have you spoken TO th
) lady on the subject OF your hopesY"
"'Not yet, captain,
"'Has she given you any encourage
> ndent to think that the love you sa
. you feel Is returned by herYS
g No, captain, but she has been yer
! kind to me-, and has talked to me
v great deal, and seemed to like to hav
k>ll. A. - -