The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1901-10-25
I'm obstacle to Marriage


my place at the table on the steamer,
glanciug toward the captain, I noticed
seated on his right the prettiest girl I
had ever seen.
AS soon as dinner was over l got hold
of my friend Watson aud inquired the
name of the young lady
"She's a Miss Latimer," be said,
seame out with US on this voyage, 1
suppose only for her health, since she's
going right back; understand she's an
orphan and got some money. Shall
introduce your"
There was something about Miss
Latimer-Rose was her name-which
was irresistably attractive to me. She
was awfuIly kind to me; used always
to be afraid that I'd overexert myself
and was constantly making me tell her
of my experiences.
Day after day slipped away in an
ecstasy of happiness tempered with oc-
casionaI qualms of doubt. hesitated
to put my fate to the test, for if by any
chance she should refuse me-and, des-
pite my belief that my affection was re-
turned, such an event was barely posi-
ble-it would be very unpleasant to
meet her every day for at least two
months.
Well, finally 1 made a confident Of
Watson. He cut the Gordian knot at
once. "Ask the lady," he said, land if
she consents get the captain to marry
you as soon as she's agreeable"
"But is that legal?" inquired.
Perfectly. 1t will be duly entered
10 the ships log, just the same as a
birth. The captain is ex-of6cio clergy
man, magistrate, registrar and some
times doctor"
should bave at once proceeded to
act on his advice, but it occurred to me
that it might be as we'll TO sound the
captain and see if he would be willing
to perform the ceremony. You see, 1
wanted to have everything sure before
1 put my fate to the test.
So the next morning sent a message
by his boy, asking if he could spare me
a few minutes. The boy speedily re-
turned with a request that 1 should
follow him to the captains cabin.
! I found the great man sitting at his
table looking over a chart. Somehow
or other he appeared to me to be IN
usually formidable.
"Good morning, Capt. Hamilton he
said as he waved me to take a seat.
Scan do anything for your"
swell, captain. it's rather a delicate
matter, but wanted to ask you some
thing about your powers on board"
"Tbey are absolute, sir he answered
little sternly. "WhY do you ask? Do
you want some one put ia iFpns for
insulting your"
"Not exactly, captain. The letters
I would like to use are of a different
kind-the matrimonial ones"
whats that you say? So you have
lost your heart to one of my passen-
gers? Pray, who is it7"
"WelI, captain" answered. ~ knoE
1 can trust you not to let this thing 60
any further at present. It is Miss
, Latimer."
did not quite like the look that
came over his face. Is it possible, ]
thought, that this old sea dog is little
bit gone in that quarter himself?
"Have you spoken TO the lady on the
subject of your hopes?"
HNOt yet, captain"
"Has she given you any encourage
ment to think that the love you say
you feel is returned by her5R
'No, captain, but she has been very
kind to me and has talked to me g
great deal and seemed to like to have
me talk to her"
"And on these faint grounds you
base your hoPes?"
I didn't at all like the tone in which
he made that remark, and vas about
to reply a little hautily. I suppose be
saw the expression on my face, and
he stopped me from speaking by hold
ing up his hand.
SDon't say any more, Capt. Hamilton
I ought to have stopped you before. ]
couldn't possibly marry FoQ to thel lady
"Why not, Capt. Smith," I asked
rather warmly.
because, sir, I couldn't very well
marry you TO my wife"
"WhatI" I almost shrieked.
"My wife," he answered firmly. 81
am sorry you should be placed in SO
lv,r-lessevE o. v,opitior II - ro-EI--. -