The Press., 1912-01-24
'.Yes. both."

''Yes. both.''
 sBut such a marriage would in law be bigamy.'
 "Not at all There is no law of the land against marrying two persons at once There is q law against 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.
 II stake my professional reputation on what 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 marriage"
 "Try them"
 Helen thought hard for awhile, hel tormentor regarding her curiously. My advice fs,'' he added, flor you to write each one of your suitors an nouncing that you will marry him at an appointed time and place"
 "Will you be present."
 "Certainly. As your attorney l must see that you fall into no legal error" It is singular how 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 iuncture an idea shot through Helens brain She told MT. 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 at the appointed hour rarg the doorbell. He found her in the drawing room looking very pret- ty, but V, oeDegOne.
 "Where are your suitorsT he asked. '"They have failed me"
 "How sop
 q sent for them and told them that I would E.:lrry both of them" 1 "What did they say"
 Nothing. They withdrew in high dudgeon."
 "How is your fatherF" "In a critical condition"
 What do you propose to do"
 ''I have no idea what to dc. called upon you for legal advice. You pro posed a plan to which I acceded. It has failed and I am at my wits end"
 Ready to marry any oneT
 Any one" She was looking not at him, but at the floor. q presume that, as 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 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 n' more favored man than the two mos favored mem
 He paused, but she did not make an! remark and he proceeded. .
 'You might honor me by accepting me as a dummy to serve for the pres ent and to be cast off when not need ed.''
 She looked up at him, smile brok' over her sober, not to say troubled features, he went to her and, bending down, kissed her.
 An hour later word came from thu sickroom that MT. Trevor was sinking and that he begged of his daughter t. give him the satisfaction of seeing he married before he died. A clergyman was called. and as soon as he arrive' Thurston and Helen went upstairs t the invalid and Helen. kneeling besid her father, put her arms around hin and announced that she had come t a decision. She was to marry MI Thurston.
 What! Why, Nell, thought yol were hesitating between two othersE
 "So I was, father. but that was be cause MT. Thurston didn't ask me.
 "So she came to my office and aske' me-" said ThurstOn.
 'I didn't"
 "You did"
 II say didn't"
 "Come, come" interrupted the fa ther, '1et we'll enough alone"
 At that moment the clergyman CT tered and the couple were married.
 "And now," said MT. Thurstor "since it is all settled, I think I'll talk nap.'' He turned over, went to sleep an in a few days was in his office a tending to business. He lived to SC grandson on whom he settled hi fortune.