Evening star., 1909-05-10
CHAPTER xxII-Continued.

/
| "Just one moment-daddy!" saith Ath-
effort and looking at Joy as he did so.
The approval shining from her beautiful
eyes encouraged him. and he went on
more freely:
Now that our dear Joy is my care
should like to make a proposition. The
sheriff's suggestion is good. and his read
| ing Of the law seems as II 1t we're all
right but. after all. there is no ac-
counting for what judges and juries may
decide Now I want-and we all want
that there be no doubt about this mar
riage-now or hereafter. And 1 there
fore suggest that presently Joy and
shall again exchange matrimonial inten-
ton and consent. or whatever is the
strongest way that can be devised to in
sure a fiawless marriage. We can even
write this down and both sign It, and
you and the sheriff and Judy shall wit
ness. So that whatever has been before
/ though this will not disturb twill be
made all taut and secure!" joys COM
ment was:
"And I shall be married to my husband
| a second time!'
"Yes. darling" said Athlyne putting
his arm round her and drawing her close
to him. She came willingly and put her
| arms round him. They embraced and
kissed each other, and he said:
| have a further suggestion. In addition to
| this we can have a regular marriage to
| follow these two irregular ones. snail
go to London and get a special license
| from the Archbishop OF Canterbury. VINO
| is a connection of my own. With this we
shall have a religious marriage to sup
plement the civil ones. We can be mar
ried. sir, in your own rooms, or In
church, just as Joy wishes-and, Of
course, as her mother and her daddy
wish We can be married the third time.
JOY. darling, in Westminster Abbey, If
| you so desire!
Anywhere you choose-darling!" she
spoke the last word shyly. will be what
WISH l am glad l am to be married
three times to you"
why, darling?"
Because, darling" she spoke the word
now without shyness or hesitation. :!
now we must have three honeymoons!'
she danced about the room gayly. clap
ping her hands like a happy child.
When they were ready to 90 to break
fast Col. Ogilvie instinctively offered his
arm to Joy. but catching sight Of Ath-
lyme drew back and motioned to him to
take the honorable place. The husband
was pleased but seeing a new opening
for conciliation, he said, heartily:
mo. no. 1 hope the time will never
her father,' The old man was pleased
and called to his daughter:
Come. little girl you have got to take
us both"' She took her husbands arm
as well as her fathers, and all three
moved toward the door. When they got
there. however. some change was neces-
sary, for it was not possible to pass
through three abreast. Each Of the men
was willing to give place to the other
but before either man could move. or, In
deed before either had his mind made up
what to do, the quicker-witted woman
slipped back behind them. There taking
Athlyne's hand in hers she had placed IT
on her fathers arm. AS they both were
about to protest against going In front of
her she said. hastily:
please, please. daddy. and - hus-
band, l would really rather you two
went first, and arm In arm as father
and son should 60. For that Is what 1t
is to he from this on; isn't It? / would
rather a thousand times see the two
men I love best in all the world going
so than walk in front of them as q
queen"
"Thats very prettily said!"' was the
comment OF her father. Then with a
fond look back at her he took the young
mans hand from his own arm and placed
his own hand on the others arm. That's
better!' he said. Age leaning on youth,
and beauty smiling on both!'
And in this wise they entered the
sheriff's room. in time to see him sitting
at one end Of the sofa and Judy sitting
at the furthest corner away from him
blushing.