Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1909-10-08

"a Mcst Remarkable Document OBJ
served.
fampered and embarrassed by restrie-
ticns. she has sent this most remark
able proposition to my sister, who In
turn has indorsea II and sent II on 10
me With all promptness. ! wish you
TO tell me what you think OF It, sir +"
He handed me decorons-looking
document. which ! opened with much
interest 1t was exceedingly direct
and simple-as nnadorned and simple
as the lady who had indited IT: Mrs
Arson Dimes, for the privilege Of u.s.
ing the powerful name Of Bishop
Charles Winstanley. would dedicate
her undivided effort and her undivided
fortune to the church which the bish-
op so brilliantly adorned. especially
to that portion of II which she had
taken under her special care and low
ing direction, there in country SO
far from her home. The marriage
should be performed by proxy, and
Bishop Winstanley should continue, /,
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 If she did not bear
his name.
| 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 thing be done,
Mr. Twining?"
The marriage suggested?'I asked.
Certainly, sir. II 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 formulate employed"
Il was in doubt as to its legality
the numerous technical phases that
might ensue--"
ut is quite within the sanction OF
the law"
"A trifle 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," | replied.
Upon my soul, | wish you could
have appraised me Of some technical
objection. Mr. Twining; ! do indeed"
he exclaimed.
lifted my brows
Because there Is a very good rea-
son. outside the law, why no such
absurd arrangement should be entered
into"
7 should be Interested to hear it
II you feel disposed to speak OF it,
] said politely. | was In reality con-
sumed to know what II was.
y believe you legal men 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 IL
you care to intrust 1t to me, SIR"
He smiled charming smile.
1t Is very simple" he said: Il do
not wish to marry the lady"
Then why on earth do you consid-
er III" I cried
Bless your soul. do not" he
chuckled
But ] thought"
Il may have given you the impress
sion Frankly, 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. II is not an easy thing
to decline even such an alliance as
she suggests str. dare say you have
had no experienee--for which you
may thank your stars II 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 il l
ever expected 10. Perhaps the fact
that ! have not thought of it has en-
couraged my sister and Mrs. Dimes
to assume that do not mean to do so.
Hence they have frankly suggested 1t
to me. Then / have always been an
adrnirer Of Mrs. Dimes, who. as | have |
told you, is an admirable woman, and |
Is years my senior, and they have