The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1885-08-20


and she was often invited to walk on
the captains own side of the quarter
deck-a pathway which wo were sup
posed not to tread without q special
summons.
"There was something about Miss
Latimer-Rose was her name-which
was irresistibly attractive to me. I 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
venturea 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 overexert myself; and
was constantly making me tell her sto-
ries Of my experiences. I am afraid
that sometimes I little overdid the
Othello business, but she never seemed
to mind.
DAY after day slipped away in an
ecstacy of happiness tempered
with occasional qtalms of doubt.
hesitated to put my fate to test,
for it by chance she should refuse me-
and despite my belief that my affection
was returned, such an event was barely
possible-it would BIO 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
I couldn't bear to think of waiting till
We got to England. There is no need
for mo to say that was very young;
you can see that from my state of mind.
Well, finally I made confidant OF
Watson. He cut tho. Gortlian knot al
once AJAX the lady, he said, and if
she consents, get tho captain to marry
you as soon rs she's agreeable
But is that legaly inquired.
Perfectly. 1t will be duly entered
in the ships log, just tho same as a
birth. The captain is ex-oflicio clergy
man magistrate. registrar and some.
times DOCTOR
"The idea was splendid. and I 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 we'll to sound tho captain, and see if
he would be willing to perform the
ceremony. You soc, I wanted to have
everything sure before I put my fate to
the test, l waited through one day for
favorable opportunity to speak to tho
captain on deck, but he mover invited
mo to share his walk. So the next
morning sent message by his boy,
asking If he could spare me q fow min
utes. The boy speedily returned with
| request that / would follow him tc
| the captains cabin.
II 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 q scat. Can dc
anything for you?'
"Well, captain, it's rather a delicate
matter, but l wanted to ask you some.
thing about your powers on board?'
""They are absolute, sir, he answered,
O little sternly. Why do You ask? Do
You want some one put in irons for in
sulting your
"Not exactly, captain. Tho letters
that I would like YOU to use are of
different kind--the matrimonial ones
""The devil you sayv ho exclaimed,
jumping to his feet, and his face light
ing up with sailors quick sympathy
for love affair. so you've lost your
heart to one of my passengers? Pray
which is it2'
"Well, captain answered, 7 know
l con trust you not to let this go any
further at present. It is Miss Latimer.'
Il didn't quito like tho look that came
over his face Is it possible, thought,
that this old sea dog is ittlo bit gone
in this quarter himself?
"He gave me plenty of time to think
before he made any verbal comment on
my announcement. His 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 tho love you say
you feel is returned by herr
"'No, captain, but she has been very
kind to me, and has talked to me a
great deal, and seemed to like to have
me talk to her."
"'And on these faint grounds you
base your hopes?'"
II didn't at all like tho tone in which
he made that remark, and was about
to reply a little haughtily. suppose
he saw the expression on my face, and
he stopped me from speaking by hold
ing up his hand.
Don't say any moro, Captain Ham.
ilton. / ought to have stopped you be-
fore. I couldn't possibly marry you to
the lady,
''Why not, Captain Smith ? 1 asked.
rather warmly.
"'Because, sir, I couldn't very we'll
marry you to my own wife"
What? I almost shrieked.
My wife, he answered firmly. Il
ON sorry you should be placed in 80 un-
pleasant a position. It is partly my
fault, but much more that of your own
youth and rashness. You are an Off
Ger and gentleman, and will respect
you?'
Il felt so utterly crushed that was
scarcely sensible of where was. Cor
tainly did not fully understand all he
was saying, but I managed to retain
sense enough to bow my head in sign
of assent.
".1 was married. said the captain,
when I Was last homo, to Miss Latimer,
who was left an orphan under unusually
sad circumstances and surroundings.
She dreaded to be left in England alone.
The owners of this line do not
| allow their captains to have
their wives with them even rs passen-
gers. We therefore decided to keep our
marriage secret, and my wife booked as
q passenger under her maiden name.
Not a soul on board except yourself
knows the truth. I trust toy you to keep
it sacred. for don't want to retire yet
for voyage or two
II am sure I don't know how I got
from his cabin to my own, but once in
the latter, I bolted the door and never
came out till the next morning. I can't
tell If the captain ever confided to his
wife what took place in his cabin, but I
sometimes fancied I could see in her
face, when her eyes fell on me, an ex-
preston of mingled pity and amusement