MEN I HAVE KNOWN.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 6, Issue 51, 28 June 1895, Page 3

MEN I HAVE KNOWN.

(ojierial/i/ written for the Pelorus Guardian.}

[By Willy Waugh.]

ALBERT MUSGRAYE

( Concluded.)

In the meantime the yacht was sailing swiftly along with a fine quarterly breeze, and the night was bright and clear. A strict watch was kept, for there was no knowing how soon a lurking foe might appear in their course. Our hero kept no watch that night, feeling very sleepy —it was not actually necessary that he should, for the yacht was full-handed.- Therefore, he enjoyed a very sound night’s rest, and in his dreams killed another batch of pirates, and got married to the lovely Kathleen. The breeze continued both strong and fair, so they made a grand passage back to Calcutta, but our hero tried his level best to make an impression on the heart of the Colonel's youngest daughter, and not without success. However, he carefully refrained from proposing, considering it would look more graceful if he waited until she reached her own home, so that if she did refuse him she would not be bound to a daily intercourse with him afterwards. Not that he anticipated such a dire result, for he had often seen the love-light in her eyes when exchanging their morning greetings. A few days after they arrived in port he paid her a visit, resolving to know his fate if an opportunity occurred. He was received with very evident pleasure by both ladies, but the crimson blushes that suffused the lovely cheeks of the beautiful Kathleen raised his hopes to their highest pitch. During his visit he had the pleasure of an introduction to Captain Dale, who overwhelmed him with thanks for his gallant rescue and care of the ladies.

After they had dined Captain Dale took his intended out for a diiye, leaving our hero a capital chance to press his suit- He found afterwards that Dale had planned this on purpose, having learned from his charming Agnes that it would be pleasing to Albert. Sly as he had thought himself, Agnes had read his intention almost from the first.

When they had gone Albert lost no time in declaring his passion to the beautiful Kathleen, who, blushing like a rose, sank into his outstretched arms with a sigh of joy, and by the time Captain Dale and Agnes had returned these two lovers bad settled down to a calm joy in each others presence. That evening Albert informed Captain Dale that Kathleen had accepted him, and, although Dale knew beforehand that she would do so, he was none the less hearty in his congratulations. Captain Dale told him that he had received the legacy his uncle had left him, and said that he had made up his mind to sell out of the army and settle down as a private English gentleman. “ Both my father and mother ” said he “ Are very anxious to see me settled at home, and 1 have resolved to gratify them ; I intend to get married at the end of three months, for, although I know it is somewhat against the rules to marry so quickly after a funeral, yet, when I take into consideration the fact that Agnes' has no relatives capable of protecting her and that she wishes to go to England, I think I am justified.” “ Quite so,” said Albert, “ And I must persuade Kathleen to the same view, then we could all go Home together in my yacht.” This he succeeded in doing, to the satisfaction of himself and Captain Dale, who longed for a trip in the yacht. During the three months they had to-wait, Albert had the yacht’s cabin greatly enlarged and two bridal chambers fitted up with every luxury that money could buy or the heart of man conceive., He also engaged a respectable stewardess and two young wailing maids, and laid in a plentiful supply of the good things of this life, determined to leave port as soon as the ceremony was performed. Now, although the stated three months seemed like three years to Albert and Captain Dale, nevertheless they rolled rapidly away, and the wedding morning arrived in the usual course of time. When the ceremony had been performed the bridal party went on board the. yacht, and immediately put to sea. They bad a magnificent voyage home to England, and were received by the elder Mrs Dale with the greatest delight. After spending a week or two at Brooklands, Albert made Mrs Captain Dale a present of a small estate a few miles off, and both couples enjoyed a steady and lasting happiness that increased in intensity as chubby little children made their appearance at each happy home.

[tbb end.]