The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-07-28

Christian again." said Browne smooth ly, lowing to the flushed Englishwo- man.
 How very sweet of your' she said, with a grfmace which made Drusilla shiver with annoyance.
 You don't need to live together, of course," foundered Saunders, getting rather beyond his depth.
 Well, that's a concession on your part" said Mrs. Browne, a flash in her eye.
 "I never heard of such an asinine proposition" sputtered Deppingham. Saunders went completely under at that
 "On the other hand," he hastened to remark, "Fm sure it would be quite legal if you did live to-
 ''Stop him, for heavens sakew screamed Lady Agnes, bursting into uncomfortable laughter.
 "Stop him? Why?" demanded her husband, suddenly seeing what he re- garded as a rare joke. Let's hear him out. By love, there's more to it than thought. Go on, Saunders"
 Of course if you are going to be nasty about it"- began Saunders in huff.
 q can't see anything nasty about4t," said Browne. "I'll admit that our w1fe.and our husband may decide to be stubborn and unreasonable, but it sounds rather attractive to me.'
 ''Robertr' from his wife.
 Hes only joking, Mrs. Browne" ex- plained Deppingham magnanimously. "Now, let me understand you, Saun- ders, You say they can be married according to, the customs-which, 1 take it, are the laws-of the islanders. Your plan provides Browne with two charming wives and gives me but one. There's nothing to compel Mrs. Browne to marry mo-"
 "But, m. lord,'' said Saunders, doesn't the plan give Lady Depping- ham two husbands? It's quite a fair division"
 "It would make Lord Deppingham my husband-in-law, I imagine" said Drusilla quaintly. "Pve always had a horror of husbands-in-law."
 And you would be my wife-in-law," supplemented Lady Agnes. How 1n- terestingE'
 Saunders" said Deppingham sober ly, "I must oppose your plan. It's quite unfair to two innocent and unfn- volved parties. What have we done that we should be exempt from polyg- amy?"
 "You are not exemptv' exclaimed the harassed solicitor. "You are merely not obliged to; that's all. You can do as you choose about it, Pm sure. I'm sorry my plan causes so much levity. It is meant for the good of our cause. The will doesn't say how many wives MT. Browne shall have. It simply says that Agnes Ruthven shall be bis wife. He isn't restricted, you know. He can be a polygamist if he likes" :
 You're right" said Britt. '"The will doesn't specify. But, my dear Saun- ders, you are overlooking your own client in this plan."
 "I don't quite understand, MT. Britt"
 "As I understand the laws on this island-the church laws, at least-a man can have as many wives as he likes. Well. that's all very well for Or prnxzr,0 Es.+ ss-,'+ I+. ei--> s.-. that a woman can have no more than one husband? Lady Deppingham has one husband. She can't take another without first getting rid of this one."
 Saunders" said Deppingham, aris- ing and lighting fresh cigarette, you have gone clean daft. You're Ioony with love. You've got marriage on the brain. I'd advise you to take some one for it.''
 "Do you mean that for me, Lord Deppingham?' demanded Miss Pelham sharply. She glared at him and then slammed her notebook on the table 'You can josh MT. Saunders, but you can't josh me. Pm sick of this job. Get somebody else to do your work after this Pm through"
 "Oh!' exclaimed every one, in a panic. It took nearly ten minutes to pacify the ruff1ed stenographer.
 Perhaps we could arrange for a df- vorce all round" cried Saunders, sud denly inspired.
 "On what groundsr' laughed Browne.
 "Give me time,'' said the lawyer.
 'It's barely possible that there is no divorce law in Japat," remarked Britt, enjoying his confrere's misery. "Are you quite sure? ?"
 Reasonably. If there was such a law I'll bet my head two-thirds of the men in Arafat would be getting rid of their wives before night
 i'I'm tired,' said Lady Deppingham suddenly. She yawned and stretched her arms. Its been very entertain ing, Saunders. but really think we'd better dress for dinner. Come, MT. Browne. Shall we look for the prin- cess?"
 with pleasure, if you'll promise to spare Deppingham's life.'
 "On condition that you will spare Deppingham's wife, very prettily and airily. Mrs. Browne laughed with amazing good grace, but there was a new expression in her eyes,
 Your ladyship," called Saunders desperately, do you approve of my plan? It's only a subterfuge"-
 "Heartily.' she exclaimed, with one of her rarest laughs. ''The only objec- tfon that I can see to it is that it leaves out my husband and Mrs. Browne. They are very nice people, Saunders, and you should be more considerate of them. Come, MT. Browne" She took the Americans arm and payly danced from the room