The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-07-05
A MARRIAGE AT SEA-
W. CLARK RUSSELL.

and do desire for Miss Bellassys's sake
ITO marry We.
Now. / do not know how, when, or
where j had stumbled upon the fact, but
all on a sudden 1t came into my head
that IL was as Captain Parsons said,-
namely, that the master Of British
merchantmen was empowered, whether
by statute, by precedent, or by recogni-
tion OF the laws ofnecessity, to celebrate
-fhe marriage service on board DIS own
1ship at sea-
but am ! to understand" said /,
fetching breath, that a marriage at
sea, with nobody but the captain OF the
ship to oiiiciate, IL legnlS'
Certainly, !" he cried, " Let me splice
you To Miss Bellassys, and there's moth
ing mortal outside the Divorce Court
that can sunder You. How many couples
do you think I've married in my timer
. ! cannot imagine
six, hecried; and they're all doing
well, too.
g Have you special marriage service
at sea2"
The same. word for word. AZ you
nave in the Prayer-Book.
And when it Is read-T' said /,
pausing.
IL enter the circumstance in the Official
IORsDOOht uuly HltHtbStus anu bucu IuCtO
you are, much more married than 1t
would delight you to feel IL afterwards
you should find out you've made mis-
take" NS
Ny heert beat fast. Though / never
dreamt for an instant of accepting this
shippers Offices seriously, yet II the
ceremony he performed should be legal
Il would be trump card in my hand for
any game might hereafter have to play
with Lady Amelia.
" But how. said /, are you to get
over the objections to my marriagew
What objections? The only objec-
tion ! see is your not being married
already"
why" said /. residence or license
He ilourished his hand: You're both
aboard my ship, aren't yer That's resi-
dence enough for me. As to license,
there's no such thing at sea. Suppose q
couple wanted to get married In the
middle OF the Pacific Ocean; where's the
license to come from2'
e But how about the consent OF the
guardian"
THE lawful guardian isn't here" he
answered; the lawful guardian is
leagues astern No use talking OF
guardians aboard slip. The young lady
being in this ship constitutes me her
guard n, and it's enough for you that
give my consent"
His air as he pronounced these words
induced such q fit OF laughter that for
several moments was unable to speak.
He appeared to enjoy my merriment
heartily, and sat watching me with the
broadcast OF grins.
I'm glad you take to the notion kind
~" said he. u was afraid, with Mrs.
Barstow, that you'd create a difficulty"
81? Indeed, Car tain Parsons, / have
nothing In tae word else to d., nothing
in thu world else to think Of, but 10 get
married. BHt how about Miss Bellassys y
Iadlel, with shake OF the head.
"What will she have to say to a ship
board weadiEg?
~ Ii leave her to Mrs. Barstow and
Miss No galore" said he, with nod.
"Bes.Gcs, it's for her to be anxious to
get married. Make no mistake, young
man. Until sh4 becomes Mrs Barclay,
her situation is by no means what it
: ought TO BE-
.sBut is it the fact, Captain" / ex-
surprise and ineredulity, that mar
rage celebrated at sea by the Captain
of ship Is legal?"
IF it isn't legal, all can say is, God
help fifteen of as fine set of children as
ever man could wish to clap eyes on
not counting the twelve parents, that l
married. But since you seem to doubt,
Il wish had the official log books con-
tanning the entries,-tell we what Ill
dor he exclaimed jumping up. Do
you know Mr.. Higginson?"
passenger, presume|
'Ay, one of the shrewdest lawyers in
New Zealand. I'll send for him, and
you shall hear what he says"
Rut on DNtfinp hia hnad ont tn coll for
the steward, he saw Mr.. Higginson sit
ting at the saloon table, reading Some
whispering followed and they both ar
rived, the Captain carefully shutting the
door behind him. Mr.. Higginson was a
tall, middle-aged man. with face that
certainly looked intellectual enough to
inspire one with some degree OF conf
dence in anything he might deliver.
The Captain began awkardly, abruptly,
and in a rumbling voice;
Mr.. Higginson, III tell you in half q
dozen words how the case stands. No
need for mystery. Mr.. Barclays out on
an clipping tour. He don't mind me say
ing so, for we want nothing but the
truth aboard the Carthusian. He's run
away with that sweet young lady we
took off his yacht, and is anxious to get
married. and Mrs. Baretow and Miss
Moggadore don't at all relish the situa.
tion the young Iady's put herself in, and
they're for marrying her as quickly as
the job can be cone"
Mr.. Higginson nursed his knee and
smiled at the deck with look Of EN-
barrassment, though he had been at
tending to the shippers words with
lawyer-like gravity down to that mo-
ment.
You see" continued Captain Par
sons, that the young lady being aboarc
my ship is under my care.
Just so, said Mr.. Higginson.
Therefore I'm her guardian, and it's
my duty to look after her."
just so, murmured Mr.. Higginson
Now, suppose you're aware, sir.
continued the Captain, that the mas
ter Of q British merchantmen is full,
empowered to marry any couple aboard
his ship"
Empowered by what2" asked Mr.
HigpinSOn