The Dolores star., 1909-09-24

Bishop Wtnstanley should continue.l
then and always. at perfect liberty to
pursue his own helpful and shining
career in his own land. and in his own
manner, quite as II she did not bear
his name.
I finished what was so curiously
and so plainly set forth. and looked
up to meet the bishops questioning
eyes.
"A most remarkable document" I
observed.
But could such a thing be done,
Mr.. Twining?"
The marriage suggested?'I asked.
Certainly. sir. 1t would be as bind
ing as one you yourself would per-
form. with the parties kneeling at
your own chancel and all the usual
| and fashionable formulae employed"
Il was in doubt as to its legality
the numerous technical phases that
might ensue-"
1T is quite within the sanction Of
the law"
"A trihe irregular. however"
Under certain conditions one might
accept the irregularity." / suggested.
The bishop flushed delicately be-
meath the light of his candles. A
| frown drew across his smooth fore
head.
Then there is no reason why the
arrangement suggested by Mrs. Dimes
might not be carried out?" he asked.
There is none offered by the law.
Bishop Winstanley." I replied.
Upon my soul, wish you could
have apprised me of some technical
objection. Mr.. Twining; I do indeed
he exclaimed.
I lifted my brows.
Because there Is very good red.
son, outside the law. why NO such
absurd arrangement should be entered
into" q
Il should be interested to hear Il
II you feel disposed to speak of It,"
/ said politely. was in reality con
sumed to know what II was.
Il believe you legal ren are con
sidered deep wells into which all sorts
of trouble and embarrassment may be
safely poured" he remarked.
THE reason will be safe with me ff
you care to intrust it to me, sir"
He smiled a charming smile.
1T is very simple" he said; II DO
not wish to marry the lady"
Then why on earth do you consid
er it?" I cried
Bless your soul. do not" he
chuckled.
But I thought"
Il may have given you the imprss-
sion. Frankly. l am somewhat dis
turbed to know Just the way out Of
the absurd position in which the lady,
| encouraged doubtless by my sister,
has put me. It is not an easy thing
to decline even such an alliance az
she suggests, sir. / dare say you have
had no experience-for which you
may thank your stars It is only fair.
perhaps, TO admit that the ladies have
some grounds for thinking would not
be entirely unwilling to enter into
such an astonishing plan. To begin
with, am As years old-old enough
to have thought of matrimony If I
ever expected to. Perhaps the fact
that l have not thought of 1t has en-
couraged my sister and Mrs. Dimes
to assume that do not mean to do 80.
Hence they have frankly suggested 1t
to me. Then l have always been an
admirer of Mrs. Dimes, who, as | have
told you, is an admirable woman, and
15 years my senior, and they have
probably considered my admiration to
be devoid Of reverence, which is not
the case. There are besides these
reasons others which need not mem
ton to you. not to speak of the finan-
ri1l which in for har
charities. my sister has not over
looked. But l cannot consider any Of
them. l sent for you hoping you
would tell me that the Illegally of
such step would put it out Of the
question. But since you cannot help
me, must find way of my own"
/ smiled and held out my hand.
Il am more sorry than l can tell
to have failed you." l said; but I
haven't doubt that, left to your own
devices, you will get delicately and
safely out of the matter"
He smiled back at me, retaining my
hand.
4 think you know my sister. do you
not?" he suggested, and there was q
twinkle in his eyes exactly like that
l recalled SO vividly in Miss Winstan-
ley's.
Il have the pleasure of knowing her
very WELL" said
She is wonderful woman" he de-
clared.
l bowed.
did you ever have an elder sister,
Mr.. Twining?" he inquired
l regretted that had never been SO
blessed.
"Ah," said he. that accounts for
your not being an attorney general
or chief Justice" and he smilingly
bowed me out.
CHAPTER vi.