The Brandon news., 1907-03-28

the captains words cooked my goose
for me.
PLEASED to meet you, sir" began
the skipper, rather awkwardly. 1--WE
didn't expect you just yet. You've
come to meet Miss Desmond, a very
charming young lady. She's under
the care of my first officer, Mr.. Grey.
Mr.. Grey, kindly step this way. This
gentleman has the matter in his
hands; have nothing to do with it
whatever. Please talk to him about
| it. Sorry I must leave you now. At
fairs of the ship, you know. Good
day, SIR"
Then he left us, left me standing
there like stuffed doll, and wishing
for what had never wished before
or since-a violent shipwreck.
After standing there looking at
each other in silence for what seemed
to me several hours, 1 ventnred to
remark that it was very fine day, I
to which my companion responded.
and the enthusiastic way he agreed
with my remark gave me the COM
forting assurance that he felt as ner-
vous as | did. In fact, he said it was
the finest day he had ever seen in his
life
Then / inquired if he had ever
visited Alden before, and he solemnly
assured me he never had except on
the occasions when he had chanced to
be there. / could see the man was
To rrit w u nd
worried look on his face.
Miss Desmond has gone ashore"
blurted out.
"Oh, she has!" he exclaimed, with
what sounded like a sigh of relief.
She's gone with the second off,
cer," added, determined to get thel
matter out as soon as possible.
AS spoke the worried look faded
away and he was positively smiling
all over his genial-looking face.
'Ah, indeedi The second officer,
you say? always liked second ofi-
GERS, Mr.. Grey. Shake hands, sir
You should encourage that young
man, Mr.. Grey; I am sure he will bel
credit to his profession
And as he shook my hand like al
pump handle wondered whether he
was mad or I.
Have a cigar?" he exclaimed.
"Can always talk better when smok-
ing. Look here, shall we go ashore
and have a drink"
I couldn't leave the ship, but took
him into my cabin and gave him a
drink and had one myself. l felt I
needed it.
Nov, Mr.. Grey" he began, 81
want your help. You, of course
know all about Miss Desmond and
myself, and all that sort of thing.
Well, I'm already married. Now,
then, it's out, thank heaven, and I
can talk like rational being
I gasped with astonishment and
relief, but said nothing.
Yes" he continued, married a
year ago. Married my typewriter
girl, but daren't write home and let
'em know. You see, I've only seen
Miss Desmond once in my life. All
silly, idiotic family arrangement.
Her father is rather a poor sort of
chap. Worships money and all that
sort of thing. But look here, Mr..
Grey, I'm prepared to compensate the
young lady to any amount .
"You needn't worry another min
ute," 1 cried ''Miss Desmond and
my chum, Dick Ransome, the second,
have fallen violently in love at sight,
and he is off just now to procure a
special license to be married.
'Bless you, my dear sir, bless you,"
he exclaimed, and gulped my drink
down in mistake for his own. ''And
here have l been for days and weeks
in a perfect stew"
Then the absurdity of the whole
business struck us and we both
leaned back and laughed till the tears
came to our eyes; and it was thus
Dick found us as he came blundering
into the cabin with the license in his
hand a few minutes later.
Well, / needn't tell you any more.
Matters were explained to Alice and
Dick, greatly to their overwhelming
joy, 1 can assure you. Mr.. Goldwin
wanted them to wait and get married
at Melbourne, which they did. He
presented them with a check for a
thousand pounds, to start with and
made me accept very substantial
check for the finger had had in the
pie.
I have since been frequent visitor
at Mr.. and Mrs. Dick Ransome's
home, and am glad to say they have
no more quarrels than the generality
of married folks-Pearson Weekly.
Whnn Man RacCrnac a Rird