The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-02-27
A MARRIAGE AT SEA.
w. CLARK RUSSELL
AUTHOR OF 1.-THE WRECK OF THE GRosvE-
NoR." John HoLDswoRTH. NATE"
"MARooNED." ETC., ETC.
CHAPTER VII.

An extraordinary thought flashed into
my head.
by jove. Grace, wonder If there's a
parson on board
Why do you wonder?"
4" If there's "A parson on board he
might be able TO marry us.
She colored. smiled, and looked grave
all in a breath.
"A ship is not n church, said she al.
most demurely.
4" No. answered" but parson. IL a
parson wherever he is; he carries with
him the same appetite, the same dress,
the same powers, no matter whittier his
steps conduct him.
She shook her head smiling, but her
blush had faded, nor could her smile con-
ceal little look OF alarm in her eyes.
My darling" said L. surely If there
should be a clergyman on board you will
not object to his marrying ust IL would
end all our troubles, anXieties, misgiv-
ings,- thrust Lady Amelia out OF the
question altogether, save US from tedi-
Gus spell of waiting shore.
II cannot imagine that it would be a
proper wedding, said she shaking her
head.
Do you mean in the sense of its being
valid, my sweet?
Yes, " sine whispered.
But don't you see that parson is a
parson everywhere Whom God hath
Joined
The steward entered the saloon at that
moment. So l called to him and said po-
litely.-
Have you many passengers, steward"
"Ay sir, too many" he answered.
"The steerage is pretty nigh chock-a-
block. "
Saloon passengers. mean?"
" Every berth's hoccupied, sir. p"
thought perhaps you might have
something in the colonial bishopric
way
''No, sir, there's nothing in that way
aboard. Plenty as needs IL, | dessay.
The language OF some OF them steerage
chaps Is something to turn the black
hair OF monkey white.
The glances of this steward were
dry and shrewed, and his smile slow and
knowing; / chose therefore, to ask him
no more questions.
A little later on, Mrs. Barstow camo
into the saloon and asked Grace to ac-
company her on deck. Ny sweetheart
put on her hat and jacket, and three of
us went on to the poop.
"A voyage in such n ship as this, Mrs.
Rarstow, said /, "should make the
most delightful trip OF persons life.
1T is better than yachting, said
Grace softly.
"A voyage soon grows tedious" re-
marked Mrs. Barstow. Miss Bel
lassys, trust you will share my cabin
whilst you remain with us,
You are exceedingly kind, said
Grace.
Others OF the passengers now APP
preached. and observed a general effort
of kindness and politeness. The ladi,s
gathered about Grace and the gentle
men about me, and the time slipped by
whilst | related my adventures and list
ened TO their experiences OF the weather
In the Channel and such matters.
Well, in talking, and thinking. and
In looking, that first afternoon passed,
and at half-past-five o'clock we went TO
dinner | had a short chat with Captain
Parsons and from him had learned that
there was no parson on board, though /
nattered myself that had put the ques-
tion in such way as not to excite in his
brine seasoned mind the faintest sus-
picion of the meaning of my curiosity.
It was impossible for me to find N.Y.
self seated with Grace at my side at
that cheerful hospitable, sparkling. sea
dinner table without actually realizing
the difference betwixt this time and
yesterday. Some ten or twelve persons
sat down, but there was room for an
other half-dozen, which l believe about
completed the number of saloon
passengers the Carthusian carried.
Captain Parsons. with n countenance
vanished as from the recent employ
ment of soap, was at the head OF the
table, with Mrs. Barstow on his right.
"A I.,l.. ga.I l,nt "A I
were seated at the foremost end OF the
table, removed nearly by the whole
length of it from the Captain, was SEN
sible that his talk TO those near him
mainly concerned us. He had, as have
said, Mrs. Barstow on one hand, and on
the other sat the lady with the thin lips
and sausage curls. / would notice him
turn first Ia one, then to tetAe-ethef,-
round sea colored face broadened by an
arch, knowing smile; then Mrs. Barstow
would look at US, then the lady with the
thin lips would stretch her neck TO take
a peep down the line in which we sat
others would look also, smirk a bit and
address themselves with amused faces
in "A low voice to Captain Parsons.
All this was not so marked as to be
offensive, or even embarrassing, but IL
was a very noticeable thing and / whis-
Defeu TO lIdCe IndJ we SetIleu 10 form
the sole theme OF conversation at the
captains end.
When dinner was over we went on deck.
Mrs. Barstow and the thin-lipped lady
carried off Grace for stroll up and down
the planks. and Joined n few OF the gen.
tlemen passengers on the quarterback
TO smoke "A cigar one OF them gave me,
There was fine breeze out OF the east,
and the ship, with yards nearly square,
was sliding and rolling stately along her
course at some six or seven miles in the
hour.
had almost finished my cigar-two
bells, seven o'clock, had not long been
struck when one of the stewards came
out OF the saloon, aud, approaching rae,
said -
Captain Parsons compliments. sir,
and he'll be glad Co see you n the cabin
IL YOU can spare him few minutes"
followed the man into the saloon, and
was led right aft, where stood two cab
ins. On entering / found Captain Par
sons sitting at table covered with
nautical instruments. books. writing
materials and so forth His air was