Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-05-23
that is killing me. and pray you vii

listen, and advise me-"
 "You certainly seem to be in great dis tress," said the judge, "but you are mis taken if you think such adv1ce as I can give you, with the present pressure upon my time, would be of any use. Besides my good girl, you must know that my position as judge prevents me from acting the part of counsel to anyone, and your case may be something that will come before me for a judicial decision Imust therefore decline to hear you"
 He was about to close the door in her face when she said. with a burst of pas sion that startled him:
 "For Heavens sake. judge, hear me l This is something that concerns you as well as me, and that's why cannot con. suit any other lawyer in regard to it. If you refuse to listen to me now, you may have cause to regret it all your life"
 "Very well, then, come in," said Judge Ransom, who had half a mind to be an gry, "but warn you to be brief, as my time is precious"
 Placing a chair near his desk for his visitor, Judge Ransom turned on the gas, which was burning rather low, and by
 
 ed in gaining an audience with him was possessed of rare beauty. The shawl by which her features had been partly hid. den while she stood at the door was now thrown back on her shoulders, revealing q face of unusual loveliness, which was crowned with a wealth of iet-black hair
 "Now, then," said the judge when they were seated, "what painful mission could have brought you here to see me about a matter which you say concerns me as well as you?"
 "First of all, judge," she began, "l would like to ask is it possible for a girl to be married without her knowledge or consent?"
 That's rather peculiar question: said the judge, "and do not think such a thing is likely to happen in our time Years ago young women were forced by their parents to marry men whom they did not like, but the parents of to-day are not so severe. and such case as you speak of has not recently come under my knowledge" ,..
 My name is Edith Edwards" she be gan, "and I have with me piece of pa per which says that am the wife of a man that would not marry for all the world"
 At mention of the name, Judge Ransom suddenly became interested, and darted a steadfast glance at Edith, whose eye. were red with weeping. After thinking over her experience at Dick Dawsons the desperate attempt that had been made to abduct her, the exciting rescue by her blind father, and the strange ap pearance of the startling piece of paper telling her that she was the wife of Clar ence Carson, she decided to see Judge Ransom, whose name was signed to the marriage certificate, and, If possible, as certain from him the meaning of thi mystery in manuscript.
 Edith laid the certificate before the judge. The document stated that he had united herself and Clarence Carson ill the holy bonds of matrimony in the presence of two witnesses. Judge Ran som read the paper over carefully, and saw that it was in his own handwriting Then he recollected having officiated at an impromptu wedding in Dick Daw, sons. He couldn't deny it. Indeed he did not consider it necessary to do so, considering the fact that the groom and bride were both willing. The part he had played in the matter might, he thought, be open to criticism, but he was ready to defend it on the ground that it was a runaway match, and that he felt he was acting ill the girls interest when he tied the nuptial knot to shield heI from disgrace. It is true that he was not O when he of1iciated at the strange wed ding i'll Dick Dawson's, while the wine had hold of his common sense; but there was nothing to prevent him from taking advantage of an er post fdcto motive, even if he could not avail himself of a law o1 such q nature.
 After scrutiniZing the paper carefully, he said:
 "This is not q very elaborate marriage certificate, but it is genuine and regular, and secures to you your husband as com, pletely as if it was printed i'll letters od gold" @
 "That is not what I wish to know. judge," said Edith. II am anxious to as. certain whether you wrote the certif. cate?"
 "Most certainly" the judge replied. with emphasis. "Your husband cannot deny that fact. I performed the cere. mony at his own request"
 But why is my name in the paper3r faltered Edith, who saw that the judge did not quite understand her.
 "For the very best of reasons; because you were the bride. I trust there is no misunderstanding about the matter on either side. performed the ceremony in good faith for the satisfaction of both, with the consent of both, and for the benefit of both; and I trust there is no cause for regret or misunderstanding al. ready. Does your husband refuse ts recognize the marriage?"