Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1913-11-06

NAs iNk liz NV
there two of them?"
"One is u clergyman" Mr.. Crocker
explained. With u faint smile.
The ome they entered l stared at
the groom to be. | Il V Il SIGH ui re-
lief. for in case anything should 30
wrong | felt that | might have every
confidence in him. He did not show
the same . curiosity in ME that
had for him. looking at me With Il re-
assuring smile. Mr.. Crocker introduced
him. BIZ | did not hear his name or
the complimentary things that were
said about him. All the young man
said was that he would be happy to
help me out of Il difficulty and that
need not fear for Il moment that he
would take advantage of the legal
knot that was to be tied between us.
AS for me. | didn't open my mouth, but
submitted to be led like a lamb to the
slaughter.
In order to keep up appearances
that is, to avoid a Swoon or a break
down of some kind during the cere-
money! exercised my will power to
fancy that l was a happy bride, marry
ing the man Of my choice. 1 got on
tolerably we'll till l heard the words
man and Wife" then things began to
grow confused about me. and | knew
nothing more till l found myself lying
on an office lounge. looking up into
the most sympathetic. kindly. loving
yes. it was lo~ving-face l eve saw.
Then l heard persons leaving the
room, and presently all was still. I
judged that was alone with my-le-
gal-husband.
"Poor child"
st hope" l said. that you don't con-
slider my breaking down in this way
any want of compliment to you. 1t
was the suddenness of it. the-the"-
I was stalled.
at would be very foolish in me-" he
said. ito consider my individuality Of
any Importance whatever in the mat
ter. I am simply hat legal party. Mr..
John Doe. who is constantly disputing
with Richard Roe. You. being a WON
an, can't be Richard Roe. I suppose,
however. you might be Richarda Roe.
But we need never have any of the
legal squabbles Of these two ancient
and honorable parties. for we are not
to be together, and you can rely on Mr.
Croker to get you out Of it without
any trouble whatever. I see no neces
sity of your giving up your nader
lame except in signing documents
This legal condition need not last
year. I am sure. and will be scarcely
a ripple on the surface of your life"
"You are very nice about it. and
have every confidence in you. How die
Mr.. Croker come to select you for thu
purpose"
IT am under great obligations t.
your late father"
you. Under obligations to papa!",
Eyes. Fifteen years ago, when I wa.
a boy. he took me into his business
and advanced me till at the time o
his death I was his principal manager.
"You are not Edward Keane?"
81 am"
How singular! I was married to Ed
ward Keane. Ten years before
young man of twenty had come on
day to the house from my fathers of
: fee with a message for him. I wa
: then a girl of ten and saw him but
few moments. Since then | had hear
= Of Edward Keane. whom my fathe
: was intending to place ut the head o
his business when he should leave il
The young man had been to the hous
a number of times since. but l had al
, ways been away. either at school o
visiting. at the time of his coming.
was lost in wonder at this happenin
and was tongue tied. Presently I ask
ed him if the marriage was the carry
;. ing out of a plan laid by my father be
fore his death.
8" only know" he replied. that nc
two hours ago Mr.. Croker summone
me here in great haste and told m
that my benefactor's daughter must b
married before noon or lose her ii
heritance. He asked me if | woul
! consent to be a legal husband till tn
property could be turned over to 70
O and would pledge myself to leave 70
Tree anu tuIlSellL W IL ulNOFCe Ut al
i time you desired. I told him that
would do anything in my power fc
your fathers daughter. Besides. l hav
seen you once or twice when you hav
p not seen. or perhaps have not noticet
me-"
v "And you did not marry me for a,
s for a considerations"
Eyes: the consideration of being {
o service to YOU"
e We chatted some time longer. whe
my husband prepared to call in M
rrocker and ask him for a full stat
: 'ent Of the case. He came and to,
that it was my fathers wish that
t ,ould marry Edward Keane. My f
o ,ller had stipulated that I was to {
l so or the provision already stated W:
l to be enforced. Mr.. Crocker was r
y lied on to make this match, if possibl
His failure to return as soon as e
pected came very near costing me
fortune. When he found that he mu
IS act at once he did so with his accu