The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1897-07-03

You've nothing against me in reason.
and. besides. she's Of age"
This was followed by an outburst of
laughter and hurrahs from the boys in
the boat. The only thing Mr.. Roche
did was to glare and swear. After re-
covering 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, I'll
shoot"
At these words he leveled a shotgun
at Dick. Nellie screamed with terror.
ooh! Dick. let me go 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's too much OF a
coward. Do you think I'd give you
up, darling, with the happiness that
will be curs so near!!" The last SEN
tence 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 increase their lead, for the
Roche boys pulled as Justify as ever.
Once more 1 say stop, and give her
up, or I'll fire in another minute"
roared Roche again.
What the issue might have been 1t
is impossible to say, but in their ex-
element neither party had paid any
attention-at least, the Roches had not
Ito the fshermen's boat. For, just
as his sons had by extraordinary eff
forts almost touched the bridal boat his
boat dashed plump against their prov
and overturned their craft in a Sec
ond.
"Now's your chance cried Dick.
and away they sped.
Meanwhile Roche and his sons, who
all swan like fish, showered angry i'm
precautions upon the awkward fisher
men. The latter apologized %profusely,
and helped to right the boat. They
had no idea but what they could pass
between boats; just did it for a lark.
etc. Roche threatened dire vengeance
on all OF them, but his gun was now
TRANQUILITY reposing on the white sands,
twenty feet below. There vas no time
to be lost; since the fugitives were now
hearty. across, and Roche and his party
socn left the fishermen far behind.
The bridal party saw them coming,
and their triumph babe fair to be
short-lived. However, the parson took
the dilemma by the horns.
Children" said he, cts an irregular
thing to do, though perfectly legal: but
l propose to marry you right here and
now. That old fellow will not be ten
minutes behind us when we reach the
shore, and, besides, those boys have
pistols"
"Oh, Parson, you surely would not
spoil a wedding like that" said the
younger bridesmaid.
my dear, I can bind their hearts
and hands Just as firmly under this
blue sky as in the most holy church
eve built"
SO Nellie was assisted to rise and
was helped in her efforts by the
s%teadying arm of Dick. AS they stood
in the middle Of the boat under the
clear sky, she made a demure-looktng
bride. Those roses came hack to her
cheeks. and she was herself once more.
AS the good parson commenced the
ceremony, one of the bridesmaids man
aged to put the wreath and veil upon
Nellie. Although it was somewhat ruff
fed, it made quite a pretty appearance.
The parson afterwards remarked that
it was the shortest marriage ceremony
in his experience. When they reached
the shore a carriage was waiting them
before the church in which the cere-
uony was to have taken place. It was
a work of a few moments to get into
the carriage, and drive to the steamer,
which was about to leave.
Just as the steamer pulled out, Mr..
Roche and his sons, looking a little
worse for wear from their bath strug-
gled up from the beach. They were
just in time to see Nellie waving her
handkerchief from the lower deck.
And the race for the bride had been
won.