Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1895-06-20

charming the young rowers by their
conversation.
The good parson was the elderly
man, and he it was who would tie
the knot. He sat in the stern,
steering with studied precision.
And as the second boat approach
ed, Mr.. Roche arose from his seat,
and cried, with string of oaths:
What do you mean, Dick Wilson,
by stealing my girl:'
I'm not stealing her. Dick re-
piled. She comes of her own free
will, and with her mothers consent.
You've nothing against me in rea-
son, and, besides, she's Of age
This was followed by outbursts
of laughter and hurrahs from the
boysdn the boat. The only thing
Mr.. Roche did was to glare and
swear. After recovering himself,
he finally said:
Il have this against you, that
you're your fathers son, and you'll
not have Nell, I'm the head of the
house. Come out Of that boat,
Nell, or I'll shoot
At these words he leveled a shot
gun at Dick. Nellie screamed with
terror. oh, Dick let me 60 to
him, or he will kill you.
He'd like TO, no doubt, said
Dick, but he's afraid of shooting
the rest, and, besides, he too much
of coward. DO you think I'll give
you up, darling, with the happiness
that will be ours so near. The last
sentence was uttered to her alone,
but the party heard the rest, and
cheered him as before. But though
they laughed, they did not cease
rowing. Yet, they could not in
crease their lead, for the Roche bows
pulled as Justify as ever.
Once more say stop, and give
her up, or I'll fire in another min
ute. roared Roche again.
What the issue might have been
it is impossible to say, but in their
excitement neither party had paid
any attention-at least the Roches
had MOTTO the fshermen's boat.
For, just as his sons had by extra
ordinary efforts almost touched the
bridal boat, his boat dashed plump
against their prov and overturned
their craft in a second.
'Now's our chance cried Dick,
and away they sped.
Meanwhile Roche and his sons
who all swan like fish, showered
angry imprecations upon the awk-
ward fishermen. The latter apollo
gized profusely, and helped to right
the boat. They had no idea but
what they could pass between boats;
just did it for lark, etc. Roche
threatened dire vengeance on all of
them, bat his gun was now tran
GULLY reposing on the white sands,
20 feet below. There was no time
to be lost; since the fugitives we're
now nearly across, and Roche and
his party soon left the fishermen far
behind.
The bridal party saw them CON-
ing, and their triumph babe fair to
be short-lived. However, the par
son took the dilemma by the horns.
Children, said he, 'it's an ire
gular thing to do, though perfectly
legal; but ] propose to marry you
right here and now. That old fell
low will not be 10 minutes behind
us when we reach the shore, and,
besides, those boys have pistols
ooh, parson, you surely would not
spoil wedding like that said the
younger bridesmaid.
MY dear, can bind their hearts
and hands just as firmly under this
blue sky as in the most holy church
ever built
So Nellie was assisted 20 arise and
was helped in her efforts by the
steadying arm of Dick. AS she stood
in the middle of the boat, under
the clear sky, she made a demure-
looking. bride. The roses came
back to her cheeks, and she was
herself once more.
As the good parson commenced
the ceremony, one of the brides
maids managed to put the wreath
and veil upon Nellie. Although it
was somewhat ruffied, it made quite
a pretty appearance. The parson
afterwards remarked that it was the
shortest marriage ceremony in his