Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1902-01-01
AN OBSTACLE
TO MARRIAGE

sithSihS toN anu IhC NuPtoih, hOeiNSb
seated on his right the prettiest girl
had ever seen.
AS soon as dinner was over l got hold
of my friend Watson and inquired the
name Of the young lady.
"She's Miss Latimer," he said;
suppose, only for her health, since she's
going right back; understand she's an
orphan and got some money. Shall
introduce you"
There was something about Miss
Latimer-Rose was her name-which
was irreslstibly 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. l 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
returned, such an event was barely
pcssible-it would be very unpleasant
10 meet her every day for at least two
months.
Well, finally I made a confidant of
Watson. He cut the Gordian knot at
once. ASK the lady," he said, "and If
she consents get the captain to marry
you as soon as she's agreeable"
But is that legal? required.
will no d,,Ix, anforod ;,,
the ships log, just the same as birth.
The captain is ex officio clergyman,
magistrate, registrar and sometimes
DOCTOR"
should have at once proceeded to act
on his advice. but it occurred to me that
it might be as well to sound the captain
and see IL he would be willing to per-
form the ceremony. You see, wanted
to have everything sure before / put
my fate to the test.
So the next morning l sent a 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 chart. Somehow
or other he appeared to me to be un-
usually formidable.
Good morning. Captain Hamilton"
he said as he waved me to take a seat.
Can do anything for your"
well, captain, it's rather delicate
matter, but 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?"
mot exactly, captain. The letters
that would like to use are of diff
ferent kind-the matrimonial Ones"
whats that you say? So you have
lost your heart to one of my passen-
gers? Pray. who is it|
"Well, captain" l answered. 81 know
] can trust you not to let this thing go
any further at present. 1t is Miss Lati-
mer."
l did not quite like the look that came
over his face. Is it possible, thought,
that this old sea dog is little bit gone
III tudt quarter himself!
"Have you spoken to the lady on the
subject Of your hopes?"
"Not yet, captain"
"Has she given you any encourage
ment to think that the love you say you
feel is returned by herr"
"No. captain, but she has been very
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"
didn't at all like the tone in which
he made that remark. and l was about
to reply little haughtily. l 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 Hamil-
ton. | ought to have stopped you be-
fore. couldn't possibly marry you to
the lady,"
"Why not, Captain Smith,? 1 asked
rather warmly.
Because. sir, l couldn't very well
marry you to my own wife,"
'What" | almost shrieked.
my wife," he answered firmly. 81
am sorry you should be placed in so I'M
pleasant position. 1t is partly my
fault, but much more that of your own
youth and rashness. You are an officer
and gentleman and will respect the
secret l am obliged to confide to you.
II was married." said the captain,
"when was last home to Miss Lati-
mer, who was left an orphan under I'M
usually sad circumstances and sur
roundings. She dreaded to be left I'm
England alone. The owners of this line
do not allow their captains to have
their wives with them even as passen-
gers. We therefore decided to keep our
marriage a secret, and my wife booked
as passenger under her maiden name.
Not soul on board except yourself
knows the truth. l trust you to keep it
sacred. for | don't want to retire yet
for a voyage or two"
l can't tell IL the captain ever con-
fided to his wife what took place in the
cabin, but sometimes fancied l could
see In her face when her eyes fell on
1 .