The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1889-12-07

as lie was one of the most correct fcl-
lows on board, hi, request was granted
by the captain, who retired to his cabin,
followed by the delinquent. After re-
naming with the commander for near
ly an hour, he came out and joined us.
"What is the upshot of it, Harryi"
we asked.
"Wcll. lads, I'm married - that's
all"
"Marriedl' asked the mess, in one
voice.
Tiled for lifc!" was the answer.
''Hard and fast.'
'lrrevocably."
"To that little craft you scudded
away with9'
EXACTLY. As good and pure a girl
as ever lived" said Harry, earnestly.
"W-h-e-w.' whispered one and all.
allow did Old Neptune let you OFF,
we all eagerly quired-that being the
name the captain went by on board.
'IIe is hard on me-" said Harry, seri-
ously "What do you think he de-
mands, lads!'
"Can say; what is it''
"lf don't resign, he will send me
home in disgrace" That's his ultima
tum."
"W-h-c-w.' again from all hands.
LETS get up petition for Harry
suggested one.
'lt's of no use, lads, l know he
means what he says. lie has given me
a while to think it over"
1t was all up with Harry.
Capt. D was a severe, but an ex-
cellent officer, and he had only given
the delinquent the alternative of resign
ing or being sent home in disgrace.
The fact that he Ia Il got married in the
manner he described, in place of paIliat-
ing matters, only aggravated the cap
tain beyond measure. lie declared it
was disgrace to the s.rvice, and
breach of propricty not to be over
looked.
Harry told us his story in desutory
manner, interrupted by many questions
and CALCULATIONS, but which wn will put
into a simple form for the convenience
of the reader.
Julie Meuricc was the orphan child of
merchant, who had been of high
standing during his life, and who left a
handsome fortune to endow his daugh-
ter on her wedding day, or, if not mar
rled before, she was to receive the prop /
cry on coming to the age of % years.
Her mother had died in her infancy,
and the father, when she was 10 wears
Of age, placed her in a convent to be |
educated, where she rcmlincd until his
death. which occurred suddenly, six
months previous to the period of our
sketch.
After his death Ju'ic became the
ward Of her uac.c, by the tenor of her
ather's will, and the period of her edu-
'ational course having just closed at the
Hubert Mcur;cc, the uncle,
brought her home to his family circle.
dldame Meurice, it appears. was a
chem.ng, cal cula'inS woman, and
moving that Julie would be an heiress.
he tried every way to promote her in
lmacy with he7 own son. who was an
nc 'ulh and ignorant youth of IS wears
without one attractive point in his char.
c:cr.
Hubert NcurIcc, the uncle of Jll lie,
'as sea captain, whose calling carried
i'm much away from his home. Dur
~ his absence his wife treated Julie
nth the IL most tyranny, even keeping
or locked up in her room for DAYS to-
ether, telling her that when she would
onscnt to marry her son. Hubert, she {
'oud release her and do all she could ,
make her happy. But to this Julie
'uld not consent. imprisonment even
as preferable to accepting her awk-
ard and repulsive cousin. S
One day she overheard a conversation ,
ctween her aunt and her hopeful ,
IN, wherein the mystery of her treat 1
ent was solved. q