The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1909-11-11

winked at Eer. anu ..~.
him do It, III mean that 1t Is high
time thai Lady Deppineham and Mr.
Browne were getting married. We
haven't much time to spare. IT,
'Good Lordy' gasped Bobby Browne.
"You are crazy. after all.
"Open the window and give some
air." said Britt coolly.
"See here, Saunders, what the devil
bingham.
MY lord. | am here to act as your
legal adviser" said Saunders, with dig
nifty. May be permitted to pro-
eeedT''
Rather queer legal advice, pom my
word"
please let him explain" put In Mrs.
Browne whose sense of humor was
strongly attracted by this time. IF
there Ia anything more to be learned
concerning matrimony I'd like to know
It."
Eyes, Mr.. Saunders, you may pro-
ceed," said Lady Agnes. passing a
THANK you, my lady. Well. here 1t
Il In a nutshell: l have not spoken of
1t before, but you and Mr.. Browne can
very easily comply with the provisions
of the will. You can be married at
any time. Now, r.
"And where do come IMP" demand
ed Deppingham sarcastlcally.
"Yor forget us, Mr.. Saunders"
II include Mrs. Browne" amended
Deppingham. Are we to be assas-
sinated? By Jove, clever idea of yours,
Saundersl Simplifies matters tremen-
dously."
II hear no objection from the heirs"
remarked Saunders meanlngly, where
upon Lady Agnes and Bobby came out
of their stupor and protested vigor-
ously.
Miss Pelham" said Britt, breaking
In sharply, II trust you are getting all
Of this down. / wish to warn you,
ladies' and gentlemen, that l expect to
overthrow the will on the ground that
there Is insanity on both sides. You'll
oblige me by uttering just what you
feel"
my plan is very simple" began
Saunders helplessly.
"Demmed simple" growled Doping
ham.
1--WE are living on an island where
polygamy La practiced and tolerated.
Why can't we take advantage of the
custom and beat the natives at their
own gamer That's the ticket!'
OF course this proposition, simple as
1t sounded, brought forth storm Of
laughter and expostulation, but Saun-
ders held his ground.
you have only to embrace Moham-
mechanism or paganism, or whatever
1t II, temporarily-Just long enough to
get married and comply with the
terms. Then, dare say. you could re-
sumo your Christian doctrine once
more, after a few weeks, I'd say, and
the case Is won"
II pay Lady Deppingham the COM
pliment by saying that 1t would be
most difficult for me to become a
Christian again." said Browne smooth
ly, bowling to the flushed Englishwo-
man.
How very sweet of your she said,
with a grimace which made Drusilla
shiver with annoyance.
you don't need to live together, OF
course" noundered Saunders, getting
rather beyond his depth.
thok
part" said Mrs. Browne, fash In her
eye.
II never heard Of such an asinine
proposition" sputtered Deppingham.
Saunders went completely under at
that.
ION the other hand" he fastened to
remark, I'm sure 1t would be quite
legal II you did live to-
stop him, for heavens sake!"
screamed Lady Agnes, bursting into
uncomfortable laughter.
stop him2 WhyT demanded her
husband, suddenly seeing what he re-
garded ~ q rare joke. Lets hear him
out. BY love. there's more to 1t than
I thought. Go on, Saunders"
"Of course II you are going to be nasty
about IT, began Saunders In huff.
II can't see anything nasty about 1t, ="
said Browne. I'm admit that our
wife and our husband may decide to
be stubborn and unreasonable, but 1t
sounds rather attractive to me-"
"Robertr' from his wife.
Hes only joking, Mrs. Browne" ex-
planned Deppingham magnanimously.
"Now, let me understand you, Saun-
ders. You say they can be married
according to the customs-which, l
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 me-"
"But, my lord" said Saunders,