The morning call., 1890-09-29
MARRIED AT SIGHT.
XlF}E HAD been upon the Mediterra-
NHsc9 mean station for about year when

with boyish delight. There were six in
our mess, and we managed to get shore
leave so as to be together when it was
possible to do so. This was the case one
fine Sunday in the month of December, as
mild and summer-like in the south of
France as a New England May day.
The singular experience of one of our
number have often told since about the
mess table or campfire, but have never put
it into print.
We were strolling on the square known
as LIE CouS st. Louis, sort Of permanent
flower market, where the women sit en-
throned in tent-like stalls of wood, encir-
cled by their bright, beautiful and fra
grant wares, while the manner of arrang-
ing the stalls, so that the vender sits raised
some six feet in the air, gave novel eff
feet to the scene.
While we were idling away the hour in lie
Cours st. Louis, with these roguish and
pretty flower vendors, we were all thrown
into a state of amaZement and curiosity by
the appearance Of young girl OF about II,
who rushed among us with startling speed,
and who, hardly pausng to regain her breath,
said in excellent English;
\ on are Americans, and, L trust, gentle
men. Is there one among you who Will
marry me ?'
1--WE will all marry you" was the instant
response, accompanied by hearty laughter.
All, you are in sport, but l am in earnest.
Who will marry me ?'
There seemed to be no joke after all. The
girl was positively in earnest and looked at
one and all of US as coolly, yet earnestly, as
possible.
Here, Harry" said one, who was rather
leader among us and addressing Harry,
You want WIFE" and he gave eur COM
rade slight push toward the girl.
For some singular reason Harry took the
matter much more in earnest than the rest
of us and regarded the newcomer with a
most searching but respectful glance. Ap-
preaching her he said:
Il do not know exactly what you mean,
but l can understand by your expression of
face that you are quite in earnest viii you
take my arm and let us walk TO one side?"
Yes, but | have no time to lose And
taking his arm they walked away together.
We looked upon the affair as some we'll
prepared joke, but were a little annoyed at
the non-appearance Of Harry at our rendez-
vous on the quay. Our leave expired at
sunset, and we dared not wait for him, as
Captain D. was a thorough disciplnarian,
and we did not care to provoke him and thus
endanger our next Sundays leave.
On board we went, therefore, leaving
Harry on shore. When we reported, the
question was, of course, asked. where Mid
shipman b was to which query we could
return no proper answer. as we really did
not know. He knew perfectly well that we
must all be at the boat-landing just before
sunset.
Harry did not make his appearance until
the next day at noon, when he pulled to the
ship in shore boat. and coming on board,
reported at once to the captain, who stood
upon the quarterback, and asked the privi-
lege of a private interview.
The circumstances connected with the alb
sence of Harry were very peculiar, and as
he was one of the most correct fellows on
board. his request was granted by the cap
tain, who retired to his cabin, followed by
the delinquent. After remaining with the
commander for nearly an hour he came out
What is the upshot of it. HarryP" we
asked.
'WeIl, lads. Pm married-that's ALL"
Married ?" asked the mess. in one voice.
Tiled for life!" was the answer.
Hard and fast p
'1rrevocably."
ITO that little craft you scudded away
with"
Exactly. AS good and pure girl as
ever lived" said Harry, earnestly.
W-h-e-w!" whispered one and all.
" How did old Neptune let you Off" we
the captain went by on board.
He is hard on me, - said Harry, seriously.
"What do you think he demands, lads?"
Cant say; what is it?'
IF l don't resign he will send me home
III ulsSi ace, nat MS ultlnatum.
N-h-e-w! again from all hands.
Harry told us his story in a desultory
manner, interrupted by many questions nd
CALCULATIONS, but which we will put into a
simpler form for the convenience Of the !
reader.
Julie Meurice was the orphan child of a
merchant, who had been of high standing
during his life and who left handsome
fOrtdne to endow his daughter on her we'd
ding day, or. if not married before, she was
to receive the property on coming to the
age of 90 years. Her mother had died in
her infancy, and her father. wheE she was
10 years of age, placed her in a convent to
be educated, where she remained until his
death, which occurred nearly six months
previous 10 the period of our sketch
After his death Julie became the ward of
her uncle, by the tenor of her fathers will
and the period of her educational course
having just closed at the convent. Hubert
Meurice, the uncle, brought her homo TO his
family circle. Nine. Meurice, it appears.
was scheming calculating woman and
knowing that Julie would be an heiress, she
tried every way to promote her intimacy
with her own son, who was an uncouth-and
ignorant youth of 10 years, without one at
tractye point in.hs character.
Hubert Meurce, the uncle of Julie, was
sea captain, whose calling carried him much
away from his home. During his absence
his wife treated Julie with the utmost lyran-
ny, even keeping her locked up in her room
for days together. telling her that when she
would consent to marry her son Hubert she
would release her and do all she could to
make her happy. But to this Julie could
not consent. Imprisonment even was pref
cradle to accepting her awkward and repul-
siye cousin.
One day she overheard a conversation be-
tween her aunt and her hopeful son,
wherein the mystery OF her treatment was
solved.
The boy asked his mother what was the
use of bothering and importuning Julie so.
If she doesn't want TO marry me. mother,
drop the matter. | like Julie and she would
make Inc nice little wife, but don't want
her against her will"
You are fool" said the mother. "You
know nothing about the matter Her
fathers will endows her with a fortune at
her marriage, even if it be at II, just her
present age. At 20 she receives the fortune
at any rate. Now, don't you see, il You
marry her we are all fixed for life ?"
docs Julie know about the money!" he
asked.
mo, of course not"
It's little sharp on her." said the boy
I'm looking out for yop," said the
mother
Just So" unused the hopeful
81 am resolved that she shall marry Won.
and that is Why l keep her locked up, so that
she may not see some one she would like
better. Your father is expected home next
week. l want you to be married before he
returns. lie approves OF 1t, but is a little
too delicate about pressing matters so
quickly. l know that no time is like the
present time, so l have been making ar
Tangcments to bring this about Immediately.
have got a Protestant clergyman who will
perform the ceremony first, and then you
can be married at any time afterward in the
Catholic church, TO make il valid on her
side, for her father was Catholic"
This was enough for Julie. She under
stood the situation fully now, and saw that
her aunt would hesitate at nothing. Tho
poor child feared her beyond description,
and had yielded to her in everything save
this one purpose Of her marriage with HUI
bert.
Julie was very gentle girl-one upon
whom her aunt could impose with impunity.
She had no idea of asserting her rights,
much less of standing up for them. But
she was thoroughly frightened now, and re-
solved TO escape at any cost from the
tyranny which bound her. No fate could be
worse, she thought, than. to be compelled TO