The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-02-29

SIX. be cried land they're all doing
well. too"
Have you special marriage service
at soa?"
The same. word for word. as you
have in the Prayer-Boox.
And whom il is rcad--?" said I.
pausins.
:" enter the circumstance in the official
log-book, duly witnessed, and then there
you are. much more married than it
would delight you to feel IL afterwards
you should find out you've made mis-
take
My heart beat fast. Though l never
dreamt for an instant of accepting this
slsibpor's Offices seriously, yet ~ the
ceremony he performed should be legal
IL would be a trump card In my hand for
any game might hereafter have to play
with Lady Amelia.
Bat how" said I, "are you 60 get
over the objections 90 my marriage?"
What objections? The only oblec-
tion l see is your not being married
already"
Why" said /, residence or license"
He ilourished his hand: You're both
aboard my ship, aren't ye? That's resi-
dence enough for me. As To license,
there's no such thing az sea. Suppose
couple wanted To get married in the
middle OF the Pacific Ocean; where's the
license TO come from?'
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 ship. The young lady
being in this ship constitutes me her
guardian, and it's enough for you that l
give my consent"
His air as he pronounced these words
induced such fit of laughter that for
several moments / was unable TO speak.
He appeared To enjoy my merriment
heartily, and sat watching me with the
broadest of grins.
I'm glad you take to the notion kind
~" said he. Il was afraid, with Mrs
Barstow, that you'd create difficulty
Il? Indeed, Captain Parsons, / have
nothing In the world else to do, nothing
in the world else To think of, ut to get
married. But how about Miss Belassys !"
i added, with n shake of the head.
What will she have to say TO ship
board wedding?"
You leave her TO Mrs. Barstow and
Miss Moggadore. said he, with nod.
Besides, it's for her to be anxious to
get married. Make no mistake, young
her situation is by no means what it
ought TO be-"
But is it the fact, Captain" 1 ex-
claimed, visited by a new emotion Of
surprise and incredulity, that IA mar
riagc celebrated at sea by the Captain
of n ship is legal?"
. If il isn't legal, all can say is, God
help fifteen OF as fine "a set of children as
ever a man could wish to clap eyes on
not counting the twelve parents, that l
married. But since you seem to doubt,
i wish had the official log-books con-
tanning the -entries,-tell -xhat-Ill
dor' he exclaimed jumping up. Do
you know Mr.. Higglnson?"
A passenger, presumeY
LAY, one of the shrewdest lawyers in
New Zealand I'll send for him, and
you shall hear what he says"
But on putting his head out to call 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
tall, middle-aged man. with a face that
certainly looked intellectual enough to
inspire one with some degree OF conf
depce in anything he might deliver.
The Captain began awkardly, abruptly,
and in rumbling voice.
Mr. Higginson, I'll tell you in half a
dozen words how the case stands. No
need for mystery. Mr.. Barclays out on
an eloping 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. Barstow and Miss
AZ oil Itel ha a,t
tion the young lady'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 skippers words with
lawyer-like gravity down to that mo-
ment.
You see," continued Captain Par
sons. that the young lady being aboard
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 British merchantmen is fully
empowered to marry any couple aboard
MS Snlpl
Empowered by what?" asked Mr..
Higginson.
He has the right to do Il, SIR" an
swered the captain.
Ii is.a subject" said Mr.. Higginson,
nervously, upon which / am hardly
qualified to give an opinion"
Is shiphoard marriage legal, or is
il not legal?' demanded the captain.
II cannot answer as TO the legality"
answered the lawyer but L believe
there are several instances on record OF
marriages having taken place at sea, and
i should say. he added, slowly and
cautiously, that, in the event OF their
legality ever being tested. no court
would be found willing, on the merits of
the contracts as marriages, TO set them
aside"
There ye have 1t, Mr. Barclayw
cried the captain, with a triumphant
swing round in his chair.
In the ease of n marriage at sea-
continued Mr.. Hlgginson, looking at me,
l should certainly counsel the parties