The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-09-28
WHAT CAME OF A
MOCK MARRIAGE
A Genuine Surprise Followed
the Ceremony.


thing, but a good thing to have to help
man to success who was ambitious.
Dudley Weyburn was there, a good
natured, rollicking, devil-may-care sort
of chap, with large fortune, which he
spent lavishly on his friends. He was
bent on marrying Laura Leonard, one
of the girls OF the party, but, though
she gave him considerable encourage
ment, would never say yes" to any of
his numerous proposals. Weyburn and
Midway were great friends, and one
day Midway said to the lover:
Its plain enough, Dudley, that Lau-
ra Leonard wants you. She's only fool
Ing with you. Girls have queer whims.
and hers seems to be to bother you"
what makes you think she wants
meT' asked Weyburn, Frightening.
"well. you're a deuced good fellow
young. handsome and rich. What else
would a girl want? Now, I'll tell you
what you do. Wen put Laura In a
trap. III propose series Of mock
marriages and ask her to begin with
you. She can dress herself In bridal
finery All girls love to do that. III
get myself up as a parson. and wen
have a marriage ceremony in presence
Of witnesses. Then after it's all over
we can take the ground that it's legal
She'll be satisfied. only she'll want to
be married over again to make II GER
tain
Weyburn after much persuasion con-
scented. and Midway chose time when
the boys and girls were in hilarious
condition to put his scheme into execu-
ton. Miss Leonard at first refused
to act. but when Midway reminded her
that he expected his guests to support
him In his efforts to make his house
party successful she consented. The
first wedding Of the series was ap-
pointed for the same evening.
The performance was a great sue
cess. Miss Midway played wedding
march on the piano.
When Midway. who had agreed to
announce TO the bride that she was
really married. an hour later took her
away by herself and told her Of the
fact he met with reception far differ
ent from what he had expected.
do you mean to tell me-" she said.
turning pale. that I'm really married
to Mr.. Weyburn?'
"You took him for your welded hus-
band and he took you for his welded
wife In the presence of witnesses"
"But you are not a clergyman, and
you didn't put in any Of the religious
part of the service" She was growing
more terror stricken every moment
There is what is called a Scotch
marriage. I'm which-two persons agree
ing to marry each other in presence OF
witnesses are legally married"
"But this is not Scotland"
"It's impossible to tell exactly what
constitutes a marriage In this country,
but since there is every probability of
your being married to Dudley Wey-
burn. since he is young, handsome and
rich, 1t seems to me best under the cir
cumstances you'd better call it a go.
You can have another wedding, a small
affair. you know"
"But | don't want Dudley Weyburn."
This was said with such agony that
Midway was terror stricken at what
he had done.
Great heavens, Laura! hope you're
not In love with any one elser'
"Yes, l am" she said, bursting into
tears.
Midway was Thunderstorm. AS soon
as he had recovered himself a bit curl
osity as to who was the possessor OF
the girls heart overcame all other con-
siderations. Could 1t be possible that
with no fortune she could decline one.
with a very good fellow for husband,
for some young man who must work
for his livingf
I'm awfully sorry. Laura" he said
soothingly. I'VE didn't intend to go
against your wishes. Do you mind
telling me who the man Is you wished
to marryY
"Oh. couldntr She buried her
face I'm divan pillow.
There wouldn't be any improperly
I'm your telling me In confidence"
"Not since I can't marry the man
lover"
| ltTtdluiy.
"But II wouldn't be treating my hus-
band right"
"What a conscience" said Midway
TO himself Then aloud: "Oh. that
would be all right He'd never know
IT,"
"Well. since I'm married and there's
nothing wrong or immodest about tell
ing, the man love IS
"Out with II. Laura. You'll feel bet
ter when you've relieved your mind"
"You." she whispered.
No pen or pencil could adequately
picture the expression ON Edwards
face Mt the receipt OF this information.
The clock licked many seconds before
he moved: then he bent down and put
his arms around the girl
"oh, don't' she moaned. I'm mar
ried"
Married be hangedg' he exclaimed
"Pm a lawyer. and | know that In
America it's the intent Of both parties
that makes a contract binding"
There were no more mock marriages
during the continuance OF the house
party. Midway made clean breast Of
everything 20 Weyburn. who was con-
WINGED OF his friends innocence OF any