The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1917-11-22
War Brides

There is something Of the old-world
Gretna Green romance in the modern
war-wedding!
The bridegroom may not tear the
lady from an indignant fathers arms.
nor set off in galloping postchaise to
the tune Of pistol shots. Yet the de-
lightful furry and hustle of the old
days is renewed, and the element Of
tragedy lies not in pistol shots but in
the far-off reverberation of the guns Of
France!
It was in Scotland, in the lonely
island of Skye, that first witnessed
typically irregular" war marriage,
and in setting as romantic and as
wildly beautiful as any human being
has ever tried and failed to describe!
Thousands Of irregular" marriages
have taken place in Scotland recently.
They dispense, with benefit of clergy"
or registrar, and the only essential is
that the bridegroom should seriously
she to accept him as her husband.
1t was SKINNY morning, and the
stormy waters that swirl in and out
along the rocky shores Of Skye seemed
somehow quieted. The crying and the
calling of gulls or sea-mewe rose very
family, and away on the sleepy moors
the bees were droning among the
heather.
"a wonderful morning for a we'd.
tling!" said the little bride in her soft
Highland voice.
II will be thinking it is the calm
before a storm!" said her old father,
in his hesitating unaccustomed Eng.
lish.
Tie plans had all been carefully
made. The bridegroom, soldier in
the regiment Of Cameron Highlanders,
had written all the way from France
to say that he was getting seven days
leave.
But when the boat came in, and he
hurried across the narrow gangway, 1t
was with the news that half his leave
was cancelled, and he must return on
the very steamer by which he had ar
rived, back to London, there to await
orders from the war Office.
1--WE must be married here on the
pier!" he insisted. 1.-THE boat will wait
for seven minutes, and Donald the
piper will play the wedding march!"
The little bride showed signs Of be-
ing fearful. "Seven months away in
France, and seven minutes to be mar.
ried in! Angus, 1t isn't right! And
the wedding breakfasts all ready up
at the house, and spoilingl"
But her protestations were over
ruled.
"Jean, take you as my wife Z" said
Angus, solemnly.
"Angus, I accept you as my hus.
band!" said the bride.
Thus was the knot irrevocably tied!
For a Scottish marriage demands
nothing more for it's validity than the
uttering of those simple words. Such
a marriage is absolutely legal.
With a swirl of handllercl,iefs and
skirl of pipes the wedding group babe
a farewell to the bridegroom. Up and
down the ancient pier marched Don
aid, blowing his very heart into his
music. And as the boat slipped from
Its mooring it seemed that the Tilt of
the wedding march, hitherto so.
cheerful, now held both tears. and the
passion of parting in it.
"He will come back ~ the little war,
bride was trying to be brave!
Before the immortal battle of Loos,,
that famous Highland officer, Colonel
Cameron Of LOchiel assembled his men
before him, 5000 strong.
Cameron Highlanders," said he.
The eyes Of Scotland and of the world
are on you today! Remember our
slogan "A Cameron Never Can Yield!"
All through that terrible day the
Cameron Highlanders fought like men
possessed, fought the good fight against
overwhelming odds. until the field was
literally strewn with the dying and