Evening journal., 1910-04-15
Very Sudden
By sAl-LIE MENDUM
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

A cowboy entered the private law
Office Of Clements. Parsons & Bowles
In ST. Louis. He found there Mr.. Gle
ments and young lady. Mr.. Clements
said:
you received my letter?"
"Ies. / came In as soon as posi-
ble."
Here is a communication, the law
yer proceeded, putting on a pair Of
glasses and taking up a paper, from
Quimby & Quimby, attorneys. Cock
burn street, London, announcing that
Hugh Orkenham, earl Of Dunkenton,
! died on the 18th OF last month. A
will executed twelve years ago leaves
| TO his younger son, Edward Orken-
ham. $4,000. provided that by the time
he has become thirty years old he
shall have married. and
Il am thirty today" interrupted the
cowboy.
-"settled down." the lawyer went on
without needing the interruption. Il
have understood that you were in
clined to be wild"
"I was considered so by my family
because 1 detested life Of fashion,
which they all led. and | preferred a
country life. Therefore l was sent to
! America 20 shift for myself"
THE date of your BIRTH" continued
Mr. Clements. has been sent me by
your late fathers solicitors. I knew
when / wrote you-if could have tele-
graphed we would have had more
time-that the period for fulfilling
your part of the bequest would end at
II noon today. Have you any lady
| in view for a wife?"
mo. Besides, II I had there is no
/ time left for counting and marriage"
"There is half an hour"
"Ten seconds would do as we'll"
Mr.. Clements glanced inquiringly at
the lady. She nodded affirmatively.
Miss Esterbrooks," said the lawyer,
"this is Edward Orkenham. younger
brother TO the present Earl Of Dunken-
ton. the earl being unmarried and an
| invalid. Mr.. Orkenham must have q
wife within thirty minutes" looking
at his watch--"twenty-e y-eight now. Will
you marry him?"
Eyes, on condition that we do not
live together till elect to do So
Lord Orkenham." continued the at
torney, ''in order to serve you l have
brought Miss Esterbrooke here that
she might, If you desire It, fulfill the
law. II is for you TO signify your as
sent or dissent, but you must be quick
about It. You have but twenty-six min
utes in which TO become husband"
Surely" said Orkenham. sit is nC
disrespect 70 Miss Esterbrooke IL
ponder for moment AS a lady would
say on receiving such a proposition
It is very sudden"
The lawyer remained unimpresset
by the bit Of humor. Miss Esterbrook
smiled ut is rather sudden for me,
she said.
when did you come to your own de
cision" asked the cowboy lord.
"Since you entered the room"
"Indeedl | will not be outdone Il
gallantry by a woman. I win be you
husband"
| No sooner were the words spokei
than Mr.. Clement tapped a desk bel
and an Office boy appeared.
"Call Mr., Knowles" said the lawyer
Mr.. Knowles. who was waiting il
another room, entered. He wore
clerical garb.
"Call Stevens and Parker" said MI
Clements to the Office boy.
Two clerks appeared. The cowbo
and the lady stood up and were mai
ried by the clergyman. The witnesse
signed a statement that had been pre-
pared for the occasion that they ha
witnessed the ceremony, noting tn
date, hour and minute. The coupl
were pronounced man and wife min
minutes before noon. The room wa
, cleared Of the clergyman and tn
2 clerks. Then Mr. Clement said, at
dressing the groom:
"You have my word for It that Mis-
Esterbrooke is one OF our most estimi
I Bile young ladies'. She has a very larg
, fortune and. desiring to enter a famil
e belonging to the British aristocrac!
. consented. on my representations
: few days ago. to this match. reservin
her final decision till after seeing vol
/ am advised that your older brotht
is lying on a sickbed from which b
, will never arise, and you viii soon il
! herit the title. / have drawn paper
s that win prevent your possessing an
y Of your wife's property in case sh
! concludes TO apply for an Annulmer
, Of this marriage. II, however, 70
are both pleased to remain man an
wife she has enough to build up tn
. estates you will inherit. which al
5 informed are heavily in debt, on yor
& brothers death"
II have to thank you" said the new
ly made husband. "for your invaluabI
kindness in thus providing me with
bride. I commend your taste An
now" turning to his wife. may
claim a bridal lSissF"
"Not by any means. This is a legi
marriage which you need for inheri
ance purposes. / shall be happy I
see you at my home with other caller
and to consider you in the light OF
suitor"
The lady took her departure. ht
husband seeing her to her carriag
which was waiting at the door.
"Beg pardon" he said. "wni yo
kindly favor me with your address, 2
.t..f. \