Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-04-09

surly or stupid, for | never addressed
them, and | was scarcely conscious what
replies made to their remarks. All my
attention was given to silent watching
of my new divinity, and frantically en-
We'd the captain and Il bluff old colonel
who were privileged to sit beside her.
CAS- soon as dinner was over got hold
of my friend Watson, and inquired the
name of the young lady.
"Shes a Miss Latmer," he said; "came
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. Dresses we'll, at least.
Shall introduce you?"
"Of 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
condition of hopeless 'smite' in which
was then. Well, she proved to be just as
charming as she looked, and before
turned in for the night | was deeply,
desperately in love.
81 don't suppose there is any place in
the world so favorable for love-making
as a 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 clip
per vessel, whose only propellng power
is natures breath, and to the passengers
on which every change of weather or
shift of wind is of vast import and inter-
est. 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 Eng
land, and was then bearing her back.
She and the captain appeared to be on
excellent terms, and she was often invit-
ed to walk on the captains own side of
the quarter-deck-a pathway which we
were supposed not to venture to tread
Nlllloul IL SIltCldl SUMMONS.
"There was something about Miss
I.atimer-ROSe was her name-whch
was irresistibly attractive to me. do
not know exactly how to describe it,
, except as curious compound of girlish
innocence and womanly frankness. One
would never dream of flirting with her
and fancy few people would have ven
, tured on any direct love-making without
speedy accompaniment of a humble en-
treaty 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
l experiences. am afraid that sometimes
: | a little overdid the Othello business
but she never seemed to mind.
a DAY after day slipped away in al
ecstasy of happiness tempered with oc.
casional qualms of doubt. | hestateG
t 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-i
NDulNi W NtIN w IllN'l ll'l
e every day for at least two months
e Again. if she accepted me, should be st
o anxious to be married that | couldn'
bear to think of waiting till We got t.
say that | was very young: you cal
z see that from my state of mind. Well
Il finally made Il cOntidant of Watson
# He cut the Gordian knot at once. Ash
V the lady. he said, and if she consents
e get the captain to marry you as soon "a
e she's agreeable
# "'But is that legal: inquired.
j. Perfectly. 1t will be duly entered
: in the ships log just the same rs "A birth
e The captain is err oGicio clergyman, mag
l. istrate, registrar, and sometimes doctor.
| "The idea was splendid, and | CAV,
e Watson my best thanks. | should hav,
=. at once proceeded to act on his advice
o but it occurred to me that it might be Il
# well to sound the captain, and see if h
| would be willing to perform the cere
+ mony. You see, wanted to have every
IS thing sure before put my fate to tn
" test. | waited through one day for
o favorable opportunity to speak to tn
" captain on deck, but he never invited IN
|. To share his walk. So the next mornin;
e | sent message by his boy. asking if h
sc could spare me few minutes. The DO.
d speedily returned with request that
e would follow him To the captain cabin.
v Il found the great man sitting AT hi
table looking over II chart. Somehow q
L. other he appeared to me to be unuSuall
p formidable.
Il 'Good-mornng, Captain Hamilton
n he said. as he waved me to take Il seal
al Can do anything for you!
W We'll, captain, its rather Il delicat
matter, but wanted to ask you som,
lie thing about your powers on board
d, They are absolute, sir, he answere
er Il little sternly. why do you ask: ID