Year: 1867

made the turn of the river and already lost
sight of the waters OF the Willamette, but
looking across the bend over low cotton wood
and willows which covered the bank, we saw
line of putting steam coming nearer and near
er on our track.


All this time the bride had been sitting close
by me, aft in the engine-rOom away from her
party, for could not have all them below, and |
now with frightened look that made her |
handsOmer ever, cried out,


"Oh, Captain Burbank she is gaining on
us do you know 1t r


"Guess not much, L replied, carelesaly.--
"That must be the Mdrid, | am thinking
and | never considered the Maria boat to be
compared with the FUetly for speed. But
however, Miss this is quite an important step
you are about to take, and now Is a grand Op-
portunity to consider the matter over: Ism t
it possible you have been too hasty? 1t is not
too late yet to come back Of it, but in half an
hour it will be all over with you. Remember
the knot you can tie in minute you will be
long time untylng."


But all the reply the silly thing gave was,


"Oh Captain Burbank, they are gaining on
us fast !" And then she grew pale, and began
to tremble like poplar leaf.


Putting two and two together L had made
out the whole story to my own satlstacuon.--
The bridegroom was a man from California
who had been in Portland for the year past
without any visible business that | had discOv-
red, only, as it seemed now, to make love to
this beautiful Miss Miriam Jacobs, who was
an orphan and heiress. Mr.. Galloway was her
guardian, that l always knew; and L always
knew he had been opposed to her marriage
with somebody, and had made legal prohibit
ton of it.


So, of course, there was nothing left tor true
| love in order to run smooth but to run out of
the State into Washington Territory, the fash
ionable Gretna Green of Northern Oregon.
Yes, certainly, and if some one opposed it,
especially her husband, that was enough to
make Mrs. Galloway ready to move heaven and
earth to bring marriage to pass. 80 here we
were-MiSs Jacobs, the bridegroom, Mrs Gal
loway, and the Fuefy-two thirds and more
of the way from Portland to Vancouver, and
there was Mr.. Galloway and his prohibition in
| hot pursuit on the Maria behind US.
The Maria was really gaining rapidly, that


was fact a; but | wasn't afraid of her. | knew


what | was about, and was minded to have a


little fun out of the trip for myself Il always
did like to plague my sisters kitten when L


was boy) So let the Nartd come within


a mile of us, in full view and still gaining then


she sounded three sgna-whistles in token she


wished to speak to us. The bride looked weak


as potato blossom, and | confess | began to


feel some as though was a cat playing with a


mouse But | said nothing, and made no an


swer to the signal whistles, which were repeat


ed, only to move off leiSurey and open out


the engine, which, to tell the truth, | had


throttled down when the smoke of the Nara


first showed itself.


Then, with a sudden shiver and tremble, the
wheels started as though soul had been put


in them the boat shook in every plank and
joint, and the glasses on the table began tc


jump and jingle as if they had just discovered
they were invited to a wedding, and had mind
to get up little dance among themselves upOr
it.


wish you could have seen the change il
the face and whole figure of the bride as th,
boat sprang forward with such eager life anC


power. She looked as though Atlas had sud
denly come back and taken the whole rOunC
r world off her shoulders, which lie had left upol


them while he went himself after some COLDER
: apple or another


And I am thinking Captain Bookstaver


over on the 4Harta, got some new and sudde
> ideas into his brain about the strength ant


swittness of the FTefy.


. So of course, although l slowed down tn


engine once or twice after that till the Mdrit
/ was close upon u.s. just for the sport of raclnt
a away from her again, we touched the VancOu
4 yer wharf before her and the magistrate, VIII
Y had been telegraphed for and was standing ol
= the pier in waiting, came on board IN the shut


ting of fan.


g The ceremony was not very long nor very i'm
: pressive, promise you, but it was stronge


than gate of brass in legal point of view
!, Mrs. Galloway had seen to that.
i If you mutually promise to love one an
y other, join your hands. | now pronounce yo1


man and wife by the authority vested in me
q magistrate of this Territory" said he Am
r there they were, married as tight as legal pow
IT er could do it,


; Whish Wish Whish screamed the Ma
l. ria scarcely more than boats length behin
: u.s. But she might as well have been league
< away.


d 1t was all over, and there was nothing to Nh
l. Galloway but to make the best of it. So h
Il came on board, and for aught know gave hi


consent and his blessing. At any rate, the
p went back to Portland together and that even
v ing the ceremony was repeated at church wit
r all due pomp and bridal array.