The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-09-15

ptouu tnere IKE Dig, reu-raceo rooi,
with hardly sense enough to take her
hand and mutter an answer to her in
Quiries about me and the Sally Park
er, and yes, even you.
"'At last we were seated and she
was talking away just as though we
had met only yesterday while | was
as dumb as a fish and cc"ld not tt'nh
Of word to say. My feet felt as big
as anchors and l couldn't get my
hands out of the way.
"T couldn't think of but one thing,
and that was that loved this wom-
an with my very soul and that must
tell her so. l don't know how long
sat there. l don't care. l don't even
know what we were talking about. I
only knew she has the sweetest voice
in the world.
"'At last l made up my mind to
speak. It was like jumping into a
stream of ice cold water but shut
my eyes and plunged in. Nothing
short of tornado would have stop
ped me.
"'Miss Bessie l began, and my
voice was so hoarse didn't recognize
It I am only a sailor man with lit
tie beyond my head, my hands and my
heart to offer a woman, but love you
with a mans love. Since l saw you
there has not been a conscious mo-
ment when your image has not been
in my heart and before my eyes. I
came here tonight to tell you this
and to ask you to be my wife. l
know 1t is asking much to plead with
q delicately nurtured woman like you,
used to all that is pleasant and good
in life to share the lot of a rough sail
or like I am. My overwhelming love
is my only excuse. If you do not love
me, I can only bow my head to the
stroke and live out my life the best
may, but thank God nothing can
take from me the blessed privilege of
having loved you and nothing short of
death can stop my loving you
81 stopped and waited. l didn't
dare to look at her. AS the moments
passed they seemed to be hours.
felt my heart grow cold.
Then soft little hand was laid
on my head and l looked up. She
was standing beside me, her eyes
smiling through tears and her lips
quivering like those of IA child about
to cry. l gazed up at her with awe.
"'Do you love me like that, Cap
tain Jack?' she said.
II sprang TO my feet and in q mo-
ment she was In my arms.
"'Love you like that. cried. Why
my precious darling, if were to try
from now till doomsday couldn't be-
gin to tell you a 1.-THE of how l love
you. BY the grace of God, and your
sweet permission, from now till death
my life will make you realize how
love you
"'What did her guardian say about
it,? asked Jimmy.
Cd; that is, what do l care
what her guardian says? It's what
she says that counts and praise God
she's said it. All the guardians this
side of Tophet can't keep us apart, il
they want to-
II hear old Goldson raised an aw
full racket when Jack went to him
next day. Vowed by all that was
sacred that Jack should never have
the girl, and threatened all sorts o.
things. Now you all know that while
Jack Brown may be timid when deal
ing with women, there's blamed little
timidity about him when men are con
cerned.
"I don't know how it was all brought
about, but do know the little woman
stood by like man and the Who'll,
thing is fixed up.
, Jack gives up the sea after MI
; next voyage and goes into some sor
of shore business, and they are to b'
married in the spring.
"They wanted him to take some o
: the girls money to start him off, bu
he wouldn't hear of it. Said he hat
, made living for himself so far, ant
r guessed he could keep on doing it TO
a himself and his wife. So l guess tn
t wife's money will just pile up for tn
a children"
. AS Captain Billy stopped all hand
filled up their glasses and drank
3 deep health to Captain Jack and hi
bride-to-be.
n II swear" said Captain Jerry, "Il
r try to make it so can be here for tn
wedding"
+ so say we all Of u.s." chorused tn
!. other captains.-Julia NJ. Monro.
6 Buying Old Mahogany.
y The purchase of old mahogany is