Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-11-11

told him that she must decide be-
TWEEN her two suitors Immediately and
a decision would not avail without q
marriage. A vague hope was in her
that Thurston would take pity on her
and solve the problem by offering to
marry her himself But he did not
He treated the affair professionally.
II have looked the matter up" she
said with the gravity OF a Judge on
the supreme bench, and l would ad-
wise you to marry both your suitors."
"Bothv'
Eyes, both"
but such a marriage would in law
be bigamy."
mot at all. There is no law of the
land against marrying two persons at
once. There is a law against Il mar
ried person marrying again during the
lifetime Of the first consort or without
divorce. but your first marriage may be
with as many husbands as you like"
Helen looked at him in astonish-
ment
Il stake my professional reputation
on what l say being true" added the
lawyer. IF you can induce both these
men to marry you at once you can an-
nounce TO your father that you have
married either one of them you choose
to name to him. After his recovery
you will have no trouble in getting the
courts to annul the double marriage"
But suppose these men will not con-
sent to such a marriage"
TRY them"
Helen thought hard for awhile. her
tormentor regarding her curiously.
MY advice is" he added. FOR you to
write each one of your suitors an
nouncing that you will marry him at
an appointed time and place"
"WiH you be presentT'
Certainly. AS your attorney must
see that you fall into no legal error"
Il is singular now much byplay will
pass between a man and woman be-
fore unmaSking their feelings, nor is
it certain at just what point they come
to understand each other. At this
tuncture an idea shot through Helen's
brain. She told Mr.. Thurston TO be at
her house at O'Clock the next after
noon, then took her leave.
At the appointed hour Helen, array
ed in becoming costume, awaited the
coming event. At any rate, she await
ed her attorney, who Mt the appointed
hour rang the dOorbell. He found her
in the drawing room looking very pref
ty, but woebegone.
"Where are your suitorsf" he asked.
'"They have failed me-"
Glow so?"
81 sent for them and told them that
I would marry both Of them
"What did they sayT
Nothing. They withdrew IN high
dudgeon."
How is your fether?"
an a critical condition"
"What do you propose to DOR
81 have no idea what TO do. I called
upon you for legal advice. You pro
posed plan to which l acceded. II
has failed and am at my wits end
Ready to marry any one"
"Any one" She was looking not at
him, but at the floor.
81 presume that. az your attorney,
am bound to help you out"
There was no reply to this
eff / had not been sensible OF my
unworthiness to secure such prize l
would have long ago offered to settle
this matter for you by Offering myself
as a means of solving the problem"
The lady sitting mute, the gentle
man proceeded.
"Since your fathers life depends
upon your marriage and there Is no
more favored man than the two most
favored mem
He paused. but she did not make any
remark and he proceeded.
"You might honor me by accepting
me as a dummy to serve for the pres
ent and to be cast of when not need
ed"
She looked up at him, smile broke
over her sober. not to say troubled,
features, he went to her and, bending
down, kissed her.
An hour later word came from the
siclsroom that Mr. Trevor was sinking,
and that he begged Of his daughter 70
give him the satisfaction Of seeing her
married before he died. A clergyman
was called. and rs soon as he arrived
Thurston and Helen went upstairs 10
the invalid and Helen, kneeling beside
her father. put her arms around him
and announced that she had come 10
decision. She was 20 marry Mr.
Thurston.
what. Why, Nell. thought you
were hesitating between two othersT"
$50 was, father. but that was be
cause Mr.. ThurstOn didn't ask me-"
$50 she came to my Office and asked
me-" said Thurston.
81 didn't"
''You did"
81 say didn't"
"Come, come" interrupted the IA
Their, 1et well enough alone"
At that moment the clergyman en-
tered and the couple were married.
"And now" said Mr. TburstoD,
''since It is all settled / think III take
a nap"
lie turned over. went 10 sleep and
IN a few days was in bis Office at
tending to business. lie lived to see