The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-10-21
AN OBSTACLE TO MARRIAGE.

Returning from abroad, on the
steamer when took my place at table,
glancing toward the captain, noticed
seated on his right the prettiest girl l
had ever seen.
AS soon as dinner was over got hold
of my friend Watson and inquired the
name of the young lady.
'Shes a Miss I4atimer." he said !;
came out with us on this voyage, L
suppose, only for her health, since she's
going right back; understand she's an
orphan and got some money. Shall L
introduce your
There was something about Miss
Latimer-Rose was her name-which
was irresistibly attractive to me. She
was awfully 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-
casional qualms of doubt. I hesitated
to put my fate to the test. for If by
any chance she should refuse me-and,
despite my belief that my affection was
possible-it would be very unpleasant
to meet her every day for at least two
months.
Well finally I made confidant 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?" I inquired
in the ships log, just the same as a
birth. The captain is ex officio clergy
man, magistrate, registrar and some
times doctor"
act on his advice, but it occurred to me
that it might be as well to sound the
captain and see if he would be willing
to perform the ceremony. You see, 1
wanted to have everything sure before
I put my fate to the test.
So the next morning I sent message
by his boy, asking if he could spare me
a few minutes. The boy speedily re-
turned with a request that should fol-
low him to the captains cabin
/ found the great man sitting at his
table looking over a chart Somehow
or other he appeared to me to be I'M
usually formidable.
Good morning, Captain Hamilton"
he said as he waved me to take seat
Can I do anything for you?'
well, captain, it's rather a delicate
matter but 1 wanted to ask you some
thing about your powers on board"
''They are absolute. sir" he answered
a little sternly. why do you ask? Do
you want some one put in irons for in
sulting you?"
Not exactly, captain. The letters that
I would like to use are of different
kind-the matrimonial ones"
What's that you say? So you have
lost your heart to one of my passengers?
Pray, who is it?''
well, captain" I answered, ct know
I can trust you not to let this thing go
any further at present. 1t is Miss Lati-
mer."
I did not quite like the look that came
over his face. Is it possible, thought,
that this old sea dog is a little bit gone
in that quarter himself?
Have you spoken to the lady on the
subject of your hopes?"
mot yet, captain"
HAS she given you any encourage
ment to think that the love you say you
feel is returned by her?"
@%1.- -, Z,
kind to me and has talked to me a
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 was about
to reply little haughtily. I suppose
he saw the expression on my face, and
he stopped me from speaking by hold
ing UP his hand.
Don't say any more, Captain HamiI-
ton. 1 ought to have stopped you be-
fore. I couldn't possibly marry you TO
the lady"
"Why not, Captain Smith," I asked
rather warmly.
Because, sir, I couldn't very well
marry you to my wife,
What" 1 almost shrieked.
MY wife," he answered firmly. 81
am sorry you should be placed in SO I'M
pleasant a position. It is partly my
fault, but much more that of your own
youth and rashness. You are an officer
and a gentleman and will respect the
secret am obliged to confide to you.
Il was married" said the captain,
when / was last home to Miss Latimer,
who was left orphan under unusually
sad circumstances and surroundings She
dreaded to be left in England alone. The
owners of this line do not allow their
captains to have their wives with them
even as passengers We therefore de-
cided to keep our marriage a secret and
booked
maiden name. Not soul on board except
yourself knows the truth 1 trust you to
keep it sacred, for I don't want to retire
yet for q voya ge two
I can't tell if the captain ever. confided
to his wife what took place in the cabin,
but sometimes fancied I could see in her
face when her eyes fell express
sion of mingled pity and amusement that
never noticed there before
When the Winchester touched at st.
Helena 7 arranged with CAPTAIN Smith
that 1 should go ashore and wait for the
next vessel of Green's line. / made ill
health and the need of land air the
cuse.