The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-02-22
WEEKLY SHORT STORY
LAWSON PUTS ASUNDRR.
BY NJ. j. Phillips.

Let's go TO Mr.. GrieVe," urged a
voice outside Edward Lawson's door
Il was very humble door. since he
was junior partner in the great law
firm Of Grieve, Field q Morrison.
NO" replied another voice. which
ne was sure to recognize, wen go i'm
mere. Edwy Lawson will know as
well as anyone.
Lawson rose precipitately to greet
Jean Melbourne, her mother and Ferdy
Van SluycK. Jean was ravishing.
though her eyelids showed evidences
OF recent tears.
On, Edwy," began Jean plaintively,
we're in the worst trouble! And we
want you TO help us out"
Van Sluyck moved stiffly i'm his
chair. Mrs. Melbourne did not seem
desolated.
We've been such Stiles" continued
the girl. Il can't see why we didn't
think-"
What is it?" Anxiety sharpened
Edwy's voice bit.
You tell. mother" urged Jean.
Mrs. Melbourne smiled. mo, Jean:
you must tell him yourself"
We'll, Edwy," began Jean, plating
her handkerchief. Il have a house
party Of girls. There are eight of us
And last night we decided to put on
a play-impromptu, you know.
We borrowed a paper-backed novel
from the cook. a Wild Wedding Morn,
and Nell Chatters assigned the parts.
Really, IL was funny. We didn't know
what any character was going to say.
and we had to think up answers on
the spur OF the moment 20 keep things
going.
Il was the prosecuted heroine be-
cause l have light hair; prosecuted
heroines are always blonde The wild
wedding morn was the climax of the
third act; so ofNcourse we had TO have
a wedding.
"Ferdy had been up to see papa on
business and was going through the
hall JUS as We were setting the stage
in the parlor. The girls dragged him
In; they said ii would be much more
realistic 10 have a man for that scene. -,
She paused and looked at Lawson.
4 see" The young attorney swal-
lowed miserably.
We had the ceremony, with Ferdv
as bridegroom
And now some one has told you
that mock wedding, properly wit
messed, is binding in this state"
Why yes" agreed the girl in sur
prise.
I've heard of such cases before"
what We want to know, Mr.. Law
son, asked the complacent Mrs. Mel
bourne. us whether the ceremony is
really binding"
Il don't know-yet," sighed Edwy.
He turned to Jean. What sort of
rigamarole did you go through with?"
Polly Pearson acted as the min
lister, replied the girl, "and what she !
said sounded natural"
IaWson's heart swooped down /
through limitless depths of despair. |
like broken areoplant. Polly Pear !
son was the sister Of che Episcopal |
minister and had been witness at a |
hundred weddings. Doubtless she had |
the wedding service letter-perfeet.
You made the proper answers, Van
Sluyck!" asked the attorney.
did,. returned chat young man.
1t was very foolish thing to do"
remarked Lawson.
Van Sluyck colored hotly. I'VE are
not ali lawyers" he retorted, loftily, i
and Edwy hated him.
Then it's legal?" queried Jean,
anxiously.
IL oil dlu IL ID the law Is 1Oke-
PROOF. It cakes no account of the spirit
In which the words OF the marriage
service sre uttered-so Icing as they
are uttered"
Jean was pale. She looked from her
mother to Ferdy and back again.
What bother!" she sighed. 'And
well lave to go into cosrt, and ali
that"
The eomplacent Mrs. Melbourne
glanced keenly at her daughter for a
"Is it such a terrible thing.
Jean-the ceremony. I mean? An
other-a formal one"
Van Sluyck leaned forward eagerly .
in his chair, 81 don't think it's a cal
amity, Jean. You know how I feel
how I've always felt"
Jean stole peep at Edwy Lawson,
from under her long eyelashes. He !
was digging vicious holes in his desk
blotter.
81 don't know" she sighed. al