The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-02-29
A MARRIAGE AT SEA.
". cLARK RUSSELL.
AUTHOR or "rHE WRECK or THE oRosvE-
NOR" "JoHS noLDswoRTH. NATE"
MARooNED.n Erc., ETC.
cuApTFR vII.-Continued.

ieggad nimnle-nosed merchant skipper.
:" Her father was Colonel Bellassys, who
died some wears ago in India. On her
mothers death she was taken charge OF
bv her aunt, Lady Amelia Roscoe. Lady
Amelia's husband was gentleman
named Withycombe Roscoe, whose es-
tate In Kent adioined my fathers, Sir
Herbert Barclay. the engineer"
"D'ye mean the gentleman who built
the L. DocksT
Yes"
"oh indeed g cried he, looking some
what impressed. And how is your
father. Mr. Barclay?"
"He died about two years and half
ago" replied. But you have asked me
for the truth OF this elopement, Captain
Parsons. There were constant quarrels
between my father and Mr.. Withycombe
Roscoe over hedge, or wall, or ditch
some matter contemptibly insignificant;
huff the vssue OF the few rods or per-
ches of ground had been represented by
the national debt there could not have
been hotter blood, more i'll feeling be-
tween them. Litigation was incessant,
and ] am sorry tO say that IL still
continues, though l should be glad TO
end il.
.Sort of entail lawsuit. suppose?"
said the captain, smoking with enjoy
ment and listening with interest and
respect
..Just so, said /. finding now degree
OF happiness in this candor; 1t was a
kind OF easing OF my conscience TO tell
this man my story, absolute stranger as
he had been to me but "A few hours be-
fore. "Mr Roscoe died, and Lady
Amelia took a house in London. / met
her niece at the house OF friend, and
fell In love with her.
$50 / should think" exclaimed Cap
tain Parsons. Never saw a sweeter
young lady in all my time"
"Well. to cut this part of the story,
when her ladyship learned that her niece
was In love, and discovered who her
sweetheart was,-this occupied few
months, may tell you,-she packed the
girl off TO Boulogne. to a Mademoiselle
Championnet, who keeps a sort OF school
at that place.
"Do you need to hear more?" said 1,
smiling. II love the girl, and she loves
me; she was an orphan, and l did not
consider the aunt right and proper
guardian for her; she consented to elope.
and we did elope, and here we are, cap
tain"
"And you were bound to Penzancc.
understand
Yes"
!" Why Penzance?"
ITO get married at a church in that
district"
:" Who was going to marry yeY
"a cousin OF mine, the Reverend Frank
Howe.-of course after we had fulfilled
the confounded legal conditions which
obstruct young people like ourselves in
England"
"And what are the legal conditions?
It's so long since was married that
forget EN-" said the captain.
Residence, as il is called then the
consent other ladyship as Miss Bellassys
Is under age.
"But she isn't going to consent, is
she?p
"How can she refuse, after our asso-
citation in the yacht, and hereY
1T took him some time TO understand;
he then shut one eye and said, see"
We pulled at our cigars in silence as
we gazed at each other.
" And now, Mr.. Barclay" exclaimed
the captain, after a silence OF a minute
OK two, III explain why have made so
free as TO ask you for your story. It's
the opinion OF Mrs. Barstow and Miss
Moggadore that Miss Belassys and you
ought TO be married right away off. It's
duty that's owing TO the young lady.
Her situation, young gentleman" he
added. with emphasis, is not what it
ought TO be.
80 agree in every word" exclaimed;
He interrupted me Her dignity is
yours, her reputation is yours. And the
sooner you're married the better"
was about 20 speak, but. despite my
pronouncing several words, he proceeded
obstinately:
Mrs. Barstow is one OF the best
natured women in the world There
never was a more practical lady; sees IA
thing in minute; and you may believe
in her advice as you would in the fathom-
marks on lead-line. Miss Moggadore,
the young lady that sat on my left at
table. - did you notice her, Mr.. Bar
ciay?"
A middle-aged lady, with curls?"
"Eight-andthirty Amt that young
enough? Miss Moggadore wasn't behind
the door when brains were served out.
Well, she and Mrs. Barstow. and your
humble servant, he convulsed his short
square figure with sea-bow, "are for
having you and Miss Bellassys married
straight away OH.
. So there is clergyman on board?'
cried, feeling the blood In my face, and
staring eagerlyat him.
No, sir, sGid be, there's no clergy
man aboard my ship"
Then said |, almost sulkily, what
on earth. Captain Parsons. IL the good
OF you and Mrs. Barstow and Miss Mog-
gadore advising Miss Bellassys and me
TO get married straight away of, as you
term iti'
. IL ought TO be done. said he, with
an emphatic nod.
What without parsonT | cried.
Il am pGrson." he exclaimed.
imagined he intended a stupid pun
upon his name.
Parson enough" he continued, "to
do your business. I'll marry you
"YouY' / shouted.
Yes, me. be returned, striking his
breast with his fist.
y . Pray where were you ordained?"
said /, disgusted with the bad taste OF
what J regarded as Joke.
"Ordainedf" he echoed 81 don't
understand you. I'm the master OF
British merchantmen. and. as such can
and do dogire for Miss RellaeSve's gaEa