The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1883-08-23
WHO COMMITTED BIGAMY.


THEMAN WHO COMMITTED BIGAMY.
+ 7sS1V
1t was the most ridiculous of situations;
to have lived thirty years under one name,
married under it, and then he suddenly
called upon to change it, was enough to
make even a harder-headed man than Philip
Sweetzer a little confused; int when it
came to his wife's taking a new name also,
and that quite a different one from either
of his, it is no wonder that Phil declared
that the personal identity of the family
was wholly lost, and that for his own part
he knew neither who his spouse nor himself
had become.
1t came about in this way. Phil and his
wife were not related, yet they had, fror
birth, an aun and an uncle in common,
which is a genealogical puzzle which he may
solvewho cares to take the trouble, although
Tor a proper understanding of the matter it
should be added that two more headstrong,
crotchety, whimsical old celibates than
these same relatives never snubbed de-
pendents or quarreled with friends. In
their willful fashion they were very fond
of Philip and Margret, and to them thew
willed the ample fortunes with which fate
had severally provided them. They de-
parted life at about the same time, and
Amt Merryweather left her property to
Margreb on condition the latter assumed
ouo AdIily udIle OIL GQ6 U6SCdGOry Wl1l0 uncle
~FeTebridge ~bequeathed his wealth to Philip
Upon terms precisely similar. 1t made no
especial difference to Phil. He was not
unwilling to assume the proud old name of
his mothers family, and with legislative
aid the change was soon effected.
But with Margret the situation was more
complicated. Had she been single she could
have shifted her name temporarily, changes
ofthis sort befng among the accidents which
are supposed to enter into the calculations
OF every young m The idea of taking
q name which was not her husbands was
another thing, and too ridiculous, she said;
l6 suggested the weak-minded ~vagaries of
so-called st~rong-minded women far more
closely b was at all pleasant, but as for
having Aunt erryweather's money go to
those. disagreeable Stark girls, Margret de-
clared she would sooner take forty names,
or have no name at all. And so it ended in
the Invocation of legislative powers on be-
half of Mrs. Sweetser as well as of her hus-
band, with the ultimate result that the
young couple became legally known as Mr..
Farebridge and Mrs. Merryweather, a con-
fuslng coiiocation of cognomens which put
them IN very serious doubts as to who they
might really be.
" CHANGED that about the time matters
were legally settled, the date arrived
when tho pair had planned to visit Florida
to avoid the rigors of the Boston spring.
B what are we to call ourselves?n
Margret demanded, as they were discussing
details. You say you cannot reach Mag
noha until a week after l do, and it will
certainly look peculiar enough for Mrs.
Merryweather to that she is ex-
pecting her husband, Mr.. Farebridge, in a
few days. / simply shall refuse to recog-
nlze you when you get there. 1t is toe
utterly ridiculous for our anne to be diff.
ferent."
: Nonsense" replied Phil. "You couldn't
help rushing to meet me If you were called
Van Schneippenhausenstadtfelt and I,
Peter Shocks. You adore me too much to
resist me, especially after a weeks separa'
"Adore you'll you horribly conceited
wretchP' cried his wife. "INl never SPEAK
one word to you when you come to Mag.
nol1a, If l die of lonesomeness. I WON'T
even honor you with a glance of my
naughty Merryweather eyes, as Aunt Mar
greet used to say. o, you shall see"
Phil had more than half forgotten the
threat of his wife when he stepped upor
the hotel piazza at Magnolia, but a singl.
glance at the self-possessed little woman
who sat chatting with an elderly lady in
frosty curls showed him what was before
him.
The faintest flush swept over Mrs. Merry
weather's smooth cheek as Mr.. Farebridge
in passing the ladies, lifted his hat, but nc
other sign would have indicated tothe plosi
acute observer the fact that she had any
previous acquaintance with that gentleman
She went serenely on with her embroidery
apparently as intent upon its conventions
beauties and as deeply interested in Miss
Spart's gossip as before. Sh had beer
prepared for this encounter; she hadknowr
TO a minute the probable time of her hus
bands arrival, and had taken her place
here for the especial purpose of ignoring
him. She soon excused herself and wen
to her room, where she executed a series Of
VlrlIS1 nIrOnattoc indiNutiuo Of ruilJ r1na
but hardly compatible with the highest
Ideals of matronly dignity. Then she mad.
the most bewitchfng of toilettes, and wen
down to dinner.
gentleman's place opposite his wife's a
table. Mrs. Merryweather's first feelins
at this arrangement was one of pleased
amusement, yet she felt it to be in a man
her a challenge. Her love of mischief as
serted itself, and throughout the meal, al
though she was unusually laxative, she
totally ignored Mr.. Farebridge. He made
some advances in the good graces of Miss
Spart, whose seat was next his own, dis
covering that they had common ~acquaint
ances in the North; and by the time din
ner was ended, patience not being the
strongest trait of his character, he though
himself in a position to make use of thai
elderly maiden's good offices.
MAJ l ask the name of the lady oppo
site?" he questioned, as they left the table
SIZE was sitting with you on the piazzs
when 1 came. Her face seems familiar"
THAT is Mrs. Merryweather," answered
Miss Spart, delighted to be able to give in
formation. b is from Boston. Haven
you ever met her? She is very intimatt
with the Horace Grays of whom we wer,
speaking"
so, that is why her face seems so ia
miliar!" was Phil's evasive reply. ''Shal
l be trespassing too much upon your kind
ness il l ask for an Introduction"
= u shall be pleased to present you. Sh'
will certainly be glad to meet a friend o
the Horace Grays."
But Mrs. Merryweather had been quietl,
watching the pair, since in the course O
their conversation they mad reached tn
parlor, and divining the intent with whicl
Miss Spart now approachedhe her, she turne,
away with wel-feigned Inconsistencies
and stepped throughthe long window upol
the piazza. A mischievous CLEAN lighte
her eye. She saw Captain Cornish, a.
officer onleave whose acquaintance she ha,
made during her week at Magnolia, smok
ing alone just outside the parlor window
and Immediately Joined him.
His wife having fled, Farebridge, pei
ceiving that he was outman9uvred, free
himself from Miss Spart as speedily a
possible and betook himself to the piazza
As he camet through the long window hi
wife turned to go to her room, and in pass
ing Phil let her fan, whether by acciden
or design even she herself was hardly SURE
fall at the feet of the latter. He picked
up, but as she took it his grasp LINGERIE
upon it long enough to compel her Dyes t
meet his.
"Hasn't this gone far enough, Margiei
he murmured under his breath.
"Thank you," she returned aloud, and /
stood aside to let her pass.
III.
1t was perhaps half an hour later when
servant tapped at Margret's chamber doc
bringing a note. The superscription, whic
she saw at once was in her husbands han
ran: