The Argosy — page 253: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

238 A Satlor's Wooing. “ Which of ’em, cap’en? ” “Him as licenses !” “That aint parson, but magistrate.” “ Do as you’re bid and show me the vicarage.” Once more in clerical quarters, Shon tossed the lad a shilling, and would have rung a third time imperatively, but there was no bell. He gave a heavy postman’s double knock instead. . ‘Vicar at home, Miss ?” he whispered, for his heart had grown faint with disappointment. “No, sir. He’s just gone out to dinner.” “Where? I'll fetch him.” “Impossible, sir. *Tis a party in the country.” Shon was guilty of an oath, followed by, ‘‘ Davy}Jones himself ’ouldn’t bear this.” But there was no redress. He had nothing” more to do but to return crestfallen to Nanno. ‘“‘Can’t wait after Thursday,” he repeated. ‘“‘Tmpossible !” still said the ladies. The next morning, Tuesday, he carried off, Nanno, in spite of re- monstrance, to the market-town. He caused such a whirlwind that the ladies believed the trees would fall. And they were so fond of Nanno that they were at their wits’ end to know what was best for her. But a first mate! Captain Peregrine by courtesy! Shon took Nanno, blushing a shower of roses, to the principal shop. “Prettiest silk gown you’ve got, Mr. Thomas,” he said. “Yes, sir. Well to be sure—it isn’t—it is—it isn’t, Shon, of the Mary Ann?” said Mr. Thomas. “Yes, but it is!” laughed Shon, shaking hands. “ That’s a fine silk, Nanno ach, ” pointing to a fabric of brilliant rose-colour, dotted with amber sprigs. “T like this best,” whispered Nanno, indicating shily a neat siver- grey. ‘“That’s the sail-cloth, then !” cried Shon, and the wedding-dress was bought. ‘‘ Before the banns!” breathed Nanno. ‘‘ And it takes three weeks for banns! What will people say ? ” “That you are the prettiest girl in Wales—or Liverpool,” replied Shon. “ Now for the ring—no: we'll go to the parson first. I just want to speak to him.” | Up the hill again,-but not so fast as the previous day. Shon was too proud of his pretty Nanno to hurry her. The smart maid was an ac- quaintance of Nanno’s, and was surprised and slightly scandalized to see her arm-in-arm with the gentleman in uniform of the previous day. comicbooks.co