Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1909-01-22
forginal.1

"Can l be of service to your You
seem to be in a quandary about some
thing"
The girl became suddenly conscious
that a young man was standing def
erentially before her and had asked her
q question. She suddenly replied by a
question, what time is 1T"
Bob took out his watch and told her
that 1t was a quarter to IL O'Clock.
"Oh, my goodness gracious!'
"Piease tell me-" be said, whats
your trouble. I may be able to help
you"
"You can't"
"Do you want anythingT"
"Yes."
what Is itf'
II want q husband"
"Phewl" exclaimed the young man,
then, after a pause, "Will I dol"
The girl knit her brows, bit her lip
and finally said that be would.
"All right. I'll look into the matter"
"There is no time. l must be mar
ried before the clock strikes IL"
But you can surely tell me why this
thing must be SO sudden"
"It's too long a story"
Just then a man came out of the
building before which they stood. APP
preached the young lady and said:
"The jig's up"
1.-THE jig's up. It's ten minutes to r."
"This gentleman" she said, meaning
Bob, lis thinking off,
There's no time for thinking. We
must be acting" said the man. IF l
hadn't a wife and family. I'd help you
out"
"If you've got to have a husband
right off," said Bob resolutely, "Im
your man."
"All right" said the other. "I'm a
lawyer. III see that you are well paid
for what you do and no trouble. Come
along"
BE hurried the COR around the cor
ner TO tho Office Of a Justice OF the
peace. The Justice was coming ont on
his way to luncheon.
Marry this couple" said the lawyer,
sand do 1t quick"
"You guarantee It's all right?'
Certainly"
"The namesY
"Mine is Robert Blair S~outhwick."
"Your name, please"
ELLA Ruth Quincy"
zone minute of H." remarked the
lawyer, looking at his watch and shov-
ing it back in his pocket eXcltedly.
$50 ahead, judge, and be quick about
it"
A brief ceremony was performed, and
a moment after the couple had been
pronounced husband and wife the clock
struck II. The bride fell limp into a
chair and famed herself vigorously.
NOW make out a certificate" said
the lawyer to the justice, stating that
you married these two before IL O'Clock
this day." then, turning to Bob, "If
you will accompany me and Miss Cur
ney'-
Mrs. Southwick, you mean"
BEG pardon-to my Office we will
be happy to make this marriage worth
your while, md l will guarantee you a
divorce without trouble or remunera-
tion.''
Must that be got right off?' asked
Bob. There's been hurry enough
about getting into the thing. would
like a little time about getting out of
It,"
The lawyer wiped the Precipitation
from his forehead and said more de-
Iiberately:
mo hurry about that, l assure you.
Perhaps l may as well explain briefly
the occasion for this hurried marriage,
and we can all meet to arrange further
plans later. Miss Quincy
Mrs. Southwick, please"
"Beg pardon-Mrs. Southwick-re-
turned today from a long trip in for
eign lands, having been delayed on the
voyage home. A year ago her uncle
died leaving a will bequeathing her his
fortune on condition that she marry his
son, Elmer Quincy, on or before u
O'Clock today. If Elmer Quincy re-
fused or died she would inherit any
way If married on or before the said
date. This was to secure a succession.
Quincy died a week ago"
THANK you," said Bob. "Ill see you
later about the divorce" Then to the
lady he said, May I be permitted to
call, Mrs. SouthwickT'
81 shall be very happy"
"WiIl this evening at 8 be owen
ient?''
ut will"
"Your address, please"
washington place-No. Ga"
Good day" raising his hat. PLEASED
to have met you"
For the first time the absurdity of
the situation ccurred to the girl. and
she laughed. Good day. Much
obliged"
Don't mention it."
There was no divorce. Bob South
wick, now having a wife to ''globe trot''