The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1905-10-27
A Double Wedding

eSseS are usually described as fearful
that they viii be married for their
money. but Gertrude had always been
used to the possession Of wealth and
did not appear to realize its value Be
sides, she was ingenious and confd-
ing. Henry Dexter, the son Of wealthy
parents, loved her, but after delibera-
ton she gave her heart to Clarence
Hawley- At any rate, she accepted
him.
Gertrude had an intimate friend,
Edna Clarke, and those who knew
HawIey best declared that If Miss
Clarke had been the heiress, instead
Of Miss Brett, Miss Clarke would have
been Mrs. Hawley. What every one
else saw Gertrude did not appear to
see-that her friend wanted her lover
But Edna, while she was Ostensibly
Gertruce's friend and cOnfdante, con-
stantly accepting favOrs that Ger
trude's wealth rendered possible, Sc
cretly hated the girl who was TO wed
the man herself wanted
But still greater surprise was in
store for them When it was an
nOunced that Gertrude, who had no
near relatives living, had made a will
leaving half of her fortune to Edna
and the other half to Clarence Haw-
ley, people considered II time for some
one to interfere. Unfortunately, there
was no one near enough to the heir
ess to go to her and demonstrate
Since she was Of age there was no
authority to forbid the disposition she
had made Of her property.
The next thing in this claim Of as
constituents was GertrUde's sailing for
a trip abroad, accompanied only by
Edna It was considered a frightful
inducement TO crime Edna, loving
her benefactress' affianced husband,
inheriting half of her fortune, while
Hawley was heir to the remainder,
would have every opportunity to get
rid Of the one who stood between her
and wealth and love.
Strangely enough, there was at
least every appearance that this eX-
IRENE view Of the sase had come
about. In Switzerland the two girls
joined a party to ascend a mountain
Gertrude insisted on making a detOur
alone with a guide and separated for
some time from the other tourists.
When her guide rejOined the party he
came without Gertrude, who, he re
ported, had slipped and fallen into a
creyaSse thousands Of feet 'esp. This
was the story that Edna brought
home, and with it she brought ample
documentary evidence Of its truth.
Nevertheless there were those who re-
fused to believe il.
While legal proceedings were being
taken to divide Gertrude's estate be
tween the heirs il was announced that
HawIey and Edna were engaged Uf
course no one was surprised. 1t was
simply considered an inevitable result
Of Gertrude's infatuatiOn and that If
murder had not been committed she
had at least induced murder.
Meanwhile Henry Dexter, who sin
cerely loved Gertrude, went abroad
secretly to look into the matter Of the
accident But his departure became
known. Since II did not seem to trOu-
BILE the heirs, who were preparing for
the wedding, the suspicious that chung
to Edna were much allayed-
Cards for the wedding were issued
as usual, some time before the event
were to receive did away with the
prejudice against them, and people
were looking forward to a brilliant at
fair. But one morning a week before
the day set society met with a shock.
Some One-it was supposed through
mathematical a number Of invita-
tons to the wedding Of Henry Dexter
and Gertrude Brett, to take place on
the same day and hour as that OF
There was great Indignation at this
outrage, as il was considered, and it
was supposed that when Henry Dex-
ter returned he would take pains to
discover and punish the perpetratOr.
The bride and groom expectant gave
every evidence Of being deeply w0uE-
6ed, and feeling. which had bern
against them, vas turned n they
fa-oT.
The Dexter cards named the resi-
Genca OF Mrs Whiting. a wealthy
friend Of Gertru L as the place Of tho
wedding, and society was surprised al
the report that preparations were be
ing made there for some important
event The night before the weddings
as announced, a startling report was
circulated that both Dexter and Ger
trude had been seen in town. The last
link IN the chain was the putting VI
OF awnings leading from the street &c
MIS- Writings residence
At high noon the next day boil
weddings took place. The clergyman
had scarcely. pronounced Clarence and
Edna man and wife before they were
assured that at the same hour Henri
and Gertrude had also been made one
In a twinkling their andcipations Of
wealth tumbled like air castles abOu
them.
It turned out that Gertrude had no
been so stupid after all Suspectinl
her lover and her friend. she had KEEP
her own counsel and laid a plan b!
which they should have every Oppor
tunity to prove or disprOve her sus
piciOns. During the mountain climl
she had purpOSely separated herseI
from the party. bribed her guide {,
leave her at his home with his VIII
and report the fictitious accident At
ter Edna's engagement she had writ
ten Dexter, who Immediately went {,
her 1t was then that she and Dexte
came to a decision as to their rela
tons, and the forthcoming Weddin,
was announced. The only reveng
(she considered IL rather a punish
ment for her friends duplicity an
Hawley's intention to marry her 70
money! that Gertrude cared to tax
was the double wedding
AUSTIN A. KINGSLEY.