Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-03-04
! %s.f.s4s..s a44.f
Planning For
a Divorce
Many Methods Were Suggested.
but None Found Satisfactory.
BY WILLARD STOUTENBERG
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911.
BY WILLARD sToUTENBERG
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911.

was II young law student twenty.
three years old. studying In the Office
of Marbury 4 Slade MIR Marbury
was I'M old friend of my fathers. and
! think he was quite fond of me ono
day lie sent for me to come into his
private office. and found him alonS
there.
Frank" he said. Il can give you >
chance To make $500"
Now. was scraping along Gnan.
cially. trying 10 make ends meet til
could get my profession. and $500
would be II great lift for me.
How" | asked eagerly.
"By taking Wife
My delight vanished rs quickly as
II had come.
There will be nothing To prevent
your getting divorce In time" he
added. noticing my discontinue.
II don't think would like To he
tied up in such matter AT all. What
does II meanT'
1T means that client Of ours.
girl Of twenty-one. has inherited Il for
tune conditional upon her being mar
ried. OF course there Is n time limit,
aud that time expires tomorrow at -
o'clock noon. The young lady. Miss
Irene Townsend. needs Il man to mar
ry her and. IN consideration Of nr
amount paid him. TO leave her alon"
forever aftcrward. II wouldn't do To
agree upon divorce, because In thut
case | doubt II the marriage would be
legal. hut after the property Is turned
over TO the heir see no reason why
one should not be obtained"
thought awhile There was o
spice of romance in the matter that
appealed to my youthful Imagination.
"What kind of looking thing Is
she:" | asked.
ION that score, my hoy, YOU needn't
trouble yourself. She is II very pretty
woman and. moreover. of excellent
birth and breeding. OF which she IL
proud. She Is the ward Of an uncle
who. | think. intends that she shall
eventually marry some great catch
perhaps British lord. All that's
wanted Of the first husband Is that he
may be relied upon after the mar.
riagc to keep out OF the way and con.
sent to divorce when he time
comes"
How long have 10 consider the
natter"
"You'll have 10 decide pretty soon
Miss Townsend must be married by
tomorrow noon or lose a fortune II
YOU don't want Tire job some one else
must be found 10 accept H. Think Il
over aud let me know before | leave
the office for the day"
thought | would ask Ia sec the
girl was to marry: but. considering
that | WIS TO lie simply husband tc
obviate Il legal technicality. what need
was there fer me tn see her: II she
were attractive perhaps the less | saw
Of her the better. waited till MIR
Marbury's hour for going home. and
when he sent for me. before answer
ing the summons. Tipped coin TO
decide for me Heads ! marry. taiiI
| don't" Heads won
announced my decision To- Mr. Mar
bury. and he told mo the marriage
would take pacc NJ the office the next
day about 10 O'Clock Before going 20
my wedding put on Il frock coat and
stuck a flower In my huttonhole; hut
thinking this would appear rs though
considered the affair n real wedding
| changed To my business suit ana
threw away the flower.
Al 10 o'clock sharp | received . sum
mons to 20 to Mr.. Marhury's Office
found there besides Mr.. Marhury a
man IN clerical dress an aristorrallc
looking gentleman. very stlf ana ~
served. who didn't delgn 10 look ~
me. and my bride. II was all right
for the others 10 treat the matter as
mere legal form. but the bride aud
bridegroom gave each other quick
look defy any man upon entering
into such an arrangement Co avoid be
ginning ~ once Ia play game OF
hearts At amy rate. | did. and. nj
ways having found Indifference 30 lac
the most powerful force To move wo-
man. ] refraiicd from looking NJ MISS
Townsend after the first glance. !
east my eye perfunetorlly over the pat
pcrs was required to sign and. draw
ing my pen through the words "fve
hundred dollars" wrote "one.'
What Do you mean 10y that. slrf
snarlcd the elderly gentleman.
Fl have decided. somewhat late per-
hai,s. that 10 accept money for such
service would demcan me. shall be
happy 10 serve the young lady, but
not for pay"
was obliged 10 stand a good deal
Of abuse from the elderly gentleman.
In which his ward took no part. But
remained flrm. told them that there
was still nearly two hours remaining
IN which Ia find substitute, and
since the person was 70 he simply
dummy II didn't matter who he was.
provided he was not already married.
I also said that the one dollar paid me
made the marriage matter ~ bar