The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1916-10-06


mot ON your lifer' was the decided
response.
Neither OF my two clients asked a
question as 10 the age or condition OF
the other Miss Starkweather cared
nothing, about 1t because marriage
with her opponent was to be mere
legal function. Jim did not care be-
cause. having once been Tilted. he
would not marry any woman How
ever besides my friendship for Jim.
there was big fee for me.
Months passed. during which there
was no change In the situation except
that the property was going from bad
TO worse Miss Starkweather had
meanwhile transferred her affairs to
an honest lawyer who gave her true
view OF the situation and refused to
keep up his income on ain expectation
OF securing a slice of the property for
himself. He also confirmed what /
had said about settlement by mar
rage, though he pointed out grave con-
sequences that might result from this
plan. Nevertheless be showed her how
II would render available funds for
present use, and size determined to
adopt It provided the party OF the 9TH
er part would consent. broached the
plan to Jim, who was also cramped for
funds, and assured him that besides
releasing certain moneys. possibly 1t
might end In a settlement OF the suit
He took the matter under considera-
tion and. when posted at his club for
dues and supplies that he could not
pay for. concluded to adopt the mar,
rage plan tried to interest him In
the lady by sounding her praises, but
be wouldn't listen to me. "She may be
n Medusa for all care" he said
was Obliged by the contracting par
ties to draw up paper stating the con-
ditions Of the marriage one OF which
was that when II became of no use
financially to either party no opposi-
ton would be raised TO an annulment
or divorce. This was to be signed
just before the marriage ceremony.
The day before the wedding Miss
Starkweather's attorney came 10 my
office to protest against what he called
my method OF settling the suit. aver
ring that NOT only was II unprofessIonal.
but he believed It would result In a
worse tangle than ever. denied that
II was my plan. but had been suggested
to me by Miss Starkweather had
partly asscnted TO It al first, hoping to
make an amicable match. but since
this plan had failed declined to APP
prove the plan. Jernegnn had nssented
TO II on account Of an Immediate pres
sure for funds.
The lawyer begged me 10 go 10 his
client with him and dissunde him from
making marriage that was contracted
In enmity. I consented to do so. and
when we met her confirmed what he
said about the probable evil effects OF
such a marriage.
II relieve you gentlemen" she said.
"of all responsibility in this affair. and
/ beg that you win give yourselves no
concern about II whatever My mind
IL made up. Good morning"
That ended the matter so far as we
lawyers were concerned But I took
the precautlon to tell Jim that the wo-
man had relieved me OF all RESPONSE
bllity In the mhtter and asked him to
do the snme. He said that something
must be done TO procure funds. for he
was ON the border OF disgrace No
matter what resulted from the mar
Rage he would not blame ne.
The marriaf,e-it could scarcely be
called weddlng-was appointed for
II o'clock In the morning. went
with Jim TO the house. He didn't
wear different clothes from his usual
daily apparel On the way he seemed
rather melancholy, fancied that he
was thinking OF the girl who had Tilted
him When we reached the house we
were shown into the drawing room. In
few minutes clergyman entered.
II seemed more 10 me as II we were to
take part In funeral instead OF
wedding. We three sat without speak
ing till rear door was thrown open.
and the bride, In ordinary apparel. at
tended by an elderly lady, entered.
She was evidently much excited and
kept her eyes on the door.
The parscn and rose, but Jim sat
still. Turning TO look at him, / saw on
his face an expression OF establishment
and wonder mixed He seemed glued
to his chair. Then, suddenly starting
up. he made several strides to the bride
and stopped before her She raised her
eyes to his, but there was no surprise
In them.
Mildred" he cried passionately.
"what means this? why did you
IL didn't"
"Did you consent to this legal union
knowing me to be the groomT
There was no reply to this. Again
she dropped her eyes to the floor Jim
looked at her steadily for time with
out speaking, then. turning to the
clergyman. motioned him to proceed
with the ceremony
, All these months had been working
up the climax OF romance without
knowing 1t. Had Jim permitted me
10 ten him anything about his legal
opposer II would have come out that
she was the girl who he considered
had Tilted him. Perhaps 1t Is well he