The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1918-06-08
A Problem
Solved

3, PAULINE D. EDWARDS

(copyrisht. 1917. western Newspaper Unioa.)
Madge Clark was the only child Of
q man who had accumulated large
fortune. Hoarding money had become
. second nature to him and now as
an old man he had fixed plans for
both daughter and money. She must
marry and have heirs to inherit his
wealth. He would make a will tying
up the property to her and her chill
dren, the husband to have absolutely
no claim upon 1t.
His one stumbling block was, that
Madge was very hard to manage. He
gave her perfect liberty in her selec-
ton Of husband but since she was
not in love or the man she wanted
failed to propose, she did not make q
choice Of anyone.
She was scolded by her father till
she became desperate and decided
upon Jack Fisher. who she knew was
really in love with her and not with
the money.
She allowed him to be devoted to
her for some time and her father was
feeling quite encouraged, when sud-
denly Fisher stopped coming to the
house except occasionally. and the old
man was made positively Ill by Madge's
disinclination to select husband.
Hope sprang up again in the old
man when Tom Morris, chum Of
Jack Fishers. became devoted slave
to his daughter.
Deep In her own heart Madge knew
she had made choice. The man was
a rising young lawyer. Robert Morris.
fascinating and considered good sport
among the young people. Madge often
met him socially, and had motofed
with him occasionally.
Not being an advanced woman" she
could not plead her own cause, and
yet here was the solution by which
she might be satisfied with husband
and her father restored to health.
Finally in state Of desperation she
went to the ONCE of Robert Norris,
described to him the predicament she
was In and asked him rs q lawyer to
tell her some way In which she could
be married to either Jack or Tom, by
which. II her father recovered. she
could have the marriage easily an
nulled.
The young lawyer assumed q very
grave look and assured her that he
would look up the matter and report
to her within q few days. Just be-
fore she left the ONCE he asked:
Els there anyone whom you prefer
to the two men you have mentioned1"
A vivid blush covered the girls face
at the unexpected question, and with
Q startled look in her eyes she made
. hasty exit.
More than 4 week passed and Madge
heard nothing from her lawyer.
A day or two later the doctor re-
ported to her that her fathers mind
must be relieved Of worry or he would
not answer for the results.
II think he will recover II you will
crafty his wish and marry"
After the doctors departure. Madge
determined to consult the young law
yer once more.
She told him she must decide be-
tween her two suitors at once.
II have looked the matter up and
advise you to have what Is called q
mock marriage" he said.
MadEe looked very grave for while,
there had been a dim hope in her
mind that he might solve the problem
by proposing to her himself. Then
she said: suppose neither Of the men
will consent to such planf'
"No harm to try them"
"H either one consent will you bo
present at the ceremony"
"Decidedly I will be there, I must
sec to 1t that you full into no legal
error"
At this moment q thought flashed
Into Nadge's mind. She told Mr..
Norris to be at her house at eight
O'Clock next evening.
At the appointed hour his motor
car appeared before the house and
he was shown Into a reception room
where he was soon confronted BY
Aadge.
"Where Is the groomr' he asked.
Fl sent for both grooms this after.
noon. explained to them my predica-
ment and begged either one to help
me out, but both seemed much Of
Tended"
''Then a your lawyer" said Norris,
Il am bound to help you out, have
longed to settle the problem for you
by offering myself, but one fears In
these days, where much wealth II In
volved, to be looked upon as q for
tune hunter. II you believe me not
to be that Madge. but loving you for
your own sweet self we might have
q real ceremony instead Of the mock
one"
Her happy look and smile were SUI.
dcfent answer.
An hour later q clergyman arrived
and the party went up to the invalid's
room where Madge announced to her
father that she was to marry Mr.,