The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-07-05
' secopd marriare on their ARRIVAL d

Official loR-Do0k; what mofes whnteot
/" But Is there no form required. no
license necessary exclaimed, adj
dressing Mr.. Higginson.
|" Hardly at sea, ] should say" be an
swered, smiling.
" But the young lady Ii under age ]
continued. 2 She IS an orphan. and her
aunt is her guardian. How about that
aunt's consent, sirY
How can it be obtained7" exclaimed
the lawyer.
my argument again r roared the
captain.
sNo doubt, said Mr.. Higginson, las
the young lady is under age the mar
rage could ba rendered by the action Of
the guardian null and void. But would
the guardian In this case take such
ktep2 Would she not rather that this
uaion at sea should be confirmed by .
wedding on shoref"
You exactly express my hope" said
t; but before we decide. Captain Par
sons, let me first OF nii talk the matter
over with Miss Bellassys.
"All right, sir." he answered: but
don't lose sight Of this. that whilst the
young lady's aboard my ship I'm her
natural guardian and protector the law
holds me accountable for her safety and
WE'LL being, and what say il, she ought
to be married. I've explained why; and
say say she ought to be married. T.
-
CHAPIEh VII.
A few minutes LATER i quilted the
cabin, leaving the captain and Mr.. Hig-
gonson arguing upon the powers OF 8
commander OF ship.
I found Grace seated at the table be-
tween Mrs. Barstow and Miss Mogga-
dore.l Mrs. Barstow bestowed a smile
upon me, but Miss Mnggadore's thin lips
did not part, and there was something
very austere and acid In the gaze she
fastened upon my face.
/ leaned over the back OF my darling's
chair and addressed some commonplaces
to her and to the two ladies', intending
presently to withdraw her. that ]. might
have long talk. but after q minute or
two Mrs Barstow rose and went to her
cabin, hint that Miss Moggadore was
good enough to take. | seated myself ia
that lady's chair at Graee's side.
well, my pet, and what have they
been talking to you about"
"They have been urging me to marry
you tomorrow morning, Herbert, she
answered, with a smile that was half q
pout, and a blush that did not signify so
much embarrassment but that she could
look at me.
Il am fresh from long talk with the
captain said /, and he has been urg5
ing me 10 do the same thing"
1t is ridiculous" said she, holding
down her head. There is no clergy
man in the saip."
but the captain OF vessel may act
as clergyman, under the circum-
stances, said !.
u don't believe it, Herbert"
But see here, Grace" said /, speak
ing earnestly but softly, for there were
ears not far distant; " it is not likely
that we should regard the captains cell
ebration OF our marriage here as more
than something that will strengthen our
hands for the struggle with your aunt
Until we have been joined by a clergy
man in proper shipshape fashion, as
Captain Parsons himself might say, we
shall not be man and wife !; but then, my
darling, consider this; first of all 1t is in
the highest degree probable that a mar
rage performed on board ship by her
| captain is legal next, that your aunt
would suppose we regarded the union as
| legal, when Of course she would be forced
| to conclude we regarded ourselves as
man and wife. Would she then dare
come between us?"
She listened thoughtfully, but with an
air OF childish simplicity that was mex
pressibly touching to my love for her.
+" 1t would be merely ceremony"
said she, leaning her cheek in her hand,
Ito strengthen your appeal to Aunt
Amtlia?''
Wholly, my darling"
"Well. dearest" said she, gently, "if
you wish it."
/ could have taken her to nv heart for
her ready compliance. had expected a
resolved refusal. and had promised my
self some hours both that evening and
next day of exhortation, entreaty. repre-
sentation.
| However, though she had sweetly and
| promptly consented. great deal re-
manned to talk about. I repeated all
that CAPTAIN Parsons and all that Mr..
Hicsinson had said, and when we had
exhausted the subject we naturally
smoke OF our prospects of quitting the
| Carthusian and, ono subject suggesting
another. we sat chatting till about nine