The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-19
TIE EVENING STORY
Lawson Puts Asunder.


was junior partner in the great law
firm of Grieve, Field & Morrison.
NO" replied another voice, which
he was sure he recognized, wen go
in here Edwy Lawson will know as
we'll as any jr.e.'
Jean Melbourne, her mother, and ITerdy
Van Sluyck. Jean was ravishing.
though nor eyelids showed evidences of
| recent tears.
"Oh, Edwy," began Jean. plaintive-
ly, were in the worst trouble! And
we want you to help US OUT
Van Sluyck moved stiffly in his
chair. Mrs. Melbourne did not seem
desolated.
We've been such sillies,s continued
the girl Il can't see why we didn't
think
What is it?" Anxiety sharpened
Edwy's voice a bit
You tell, mother" urged Jean.
Mrs. Melbourne smiled. mo. Jear:
you must tell him yourself"
Well. Edwy,'' began Jean, plating
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, it was funny. We didn't know
what any character was going to say
and we had to think up answers on the
SPAA ~ Liz 44i1Al4CiAt ~ nOCP L4A14ASS 81
ing.
II was the prosecuted heroine be-
cause 1 htve light hair; prosecuted
heroines are always blonde The wild
wedding morn was the climax of the
third act; so of course we had to have
a wedding.
"Ferdy had been up to see papa on
business and was going through the
hall just as we were setting the stage
in the parlor- The girls dragged him
in; they said it would be much more
realistic to have man for that
scene She paused and looked at
Lawson.
Il see" The young attorney swal-
lowed miserably
I'VE had the ceremony, with Ferdy
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
'sWhat we want to know, Mr. Law
son. asked the complacent Mrs. Mel
bourne, is whether the ceremony is
really binding
4 don't knowLyet," sighed Edwy.
He turned to Jean. What sort of a
rigamarole did you go through with ~
Polly Pearson acted as the min
ister, replied the girl, land what she
said sounded natural
LawsOn'S heart swooped down
through Iimitless depths of despair,
like a broken aeroplane. Polly Pear
SON was the sister of the Episcopal
minister and had been witness at
hundred weddings Doubtless she had
the wedding service letter-perfect.
You made the proper answers,
Van Sluyck?" asked the attorney.
Il did, returned that young man.
1T was a very foolish thing to do
remarked Lawson.
Van Sluyck colored holly. 1--WE are
not all lawyers" he retOrted, loftily,
and Edwy hated him.
''Then it's legal? % queried Jean anx-
iously.
I'm afraid it is; the law is joke
proof. 1t takes no account of the
spirit in which the words of the mar
riage service are uttered-so long as
they are uttered"
Jean was pale. She looked from
her mother to Ferdy and back again.
What a bother." she sighed. and
Wen have to go into court, and all
that"
The complacent Mrs. Melbourne
glanced keenIy at her daughter for a
moment rs it such a terrible thing,
Jean-the ceremony. mean? Anoth-
era formal one
Van Sluyck leaned forward eagerly
in his chair. Il don't think it's a cal
amity, Jean. You know how I feel
how I've always felt
Jean stole a peep at Edwy Lawson
from under her long eyelashes. He
was digging vicious holes in his desk
bfotter.
I don't know she sighed. I
couldn't think what to do until I was
sure the law called it marriage.
Mrs. Melbourne rose. She was posi-
lively beaming. Thank you so
much. Mr.. Lawson. Mr.. Melbourne
will send you a cheek. Come, dear"
Ferdy, caressing an insufferable
little mustache, was also beaming. |
Edwy felt like biting him.
Mind, I don't say positively this
ceremony is binding" he said wick i
eddy. 81 would have to know all the |
circumstances; and, come to think Of
it, there is a supreme court decision |
of 1876 that has a bearing on certain |
mock marriages. I will look that up |
and call tonight to let you know" he |
finished, boldly.
There's no hurry" began Mrs. |
Melbourne, quickly.
ssOh, yes there isl assured Jean, |
who had been dashing her eyes with |
her handkerchief. DO come up. /
Edwy.'
That evening the attorney was /
striding back and forth like menag- |
erie exhibit. He and Jean were alone /
in the coy back parlor- The light |
hearted house party was making mer- |
~ elsewhere.
Edwv sat down as far as possible
from Jean. He did not dare go near; /
there was a suodued pensiveness about |
her altogether unaccustomed and |
charming He wanted to cuddle and |
right, or the money to give him the /
s.WeIl," he began, as cheerfulIy as
possible. THE rs decision has Moth I
ing to do with your case The cere-
mony is legal and binding.
Jean sighed and looked down at her t
intertwined fingers. "Oh, we'll she
said gently. It don't know that it |