The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-04

mock ceremony-for the sake of moneyf'
 He gazed at her determinedly; she looked at him from beneath half-lowered lids.
 You said another. didn't you?" she mur- mured, ever so feebly, panting little.
 If Harwood had suddenly been confronted by twenty-two full-grown, extra hungry, man-eating tigers he couldn't have been more dumbfounded. His expression was a sort of compete of horror, amazement, idiotc ecstasy, incredulity and fanatical rapture, garnished with spasmodic smiles.
 "Gwendoline, you don't" was all he said. Just the sort of hopelessly enigmatic thing a man of his type would say. But she un- derstood. You see, Gwendoline was a girl full of perspicacty.
 They had hardly recovered from the shock of their real engagement, and cer- tainly hadn't got over the wonder, glory and beauty of it. when Harwood received letter from his uncle's solicitor, requesting him to call at his earliest convenience. Der rick hastened to comply with the request, and was ushered into the cold presence of the white-faced bewhiskered little man.
 MT. Harwood," he said, in a sepulchral undertone. q am afraid that l have a communication to make to you which, in the light of your recent engagement to Miss Gwendoline Arkow, indicated in your letter of the twenty fourth, must necessarily be exceedingly disagreeable. I,shall not weary you with introductory remarks; the plain fact of the matter is: Your uncle, Sir Peter Harwood, left, it appears, another will--of considerably later. date than the one you have already see1i--"
 He paused, and fiddled with his spatu- lated finger tips.
 "This later will-dscovered accidentally I may say, by men repairing your uncle's late place of residence-has only this mo- ment come into my possession. It is duly signed and witnessed, and in all other re- spects, as far as one can see, a valid docu- ment."
 But what is the purpors or it?' asked Derrick, little impatienty, .You say it will be exceedingly disagreeable-in what way?"
 The attorney not to be driven; the legal profession does not permit hustle. He folded his hands, blinked rapidly, and took up document.
 You will recall that by the terms of the former will" he said, ," sum of 10000 pounds was eft to you on condition that you married--"
 Quite so,' answered Harwood land I have taken steps to comply with that provi- sion"
 Unfortunately went on the lawyer, imperturbahly, "your uncle saw fit to re- yoke the document in question, substituting the testament I now hold in my hand. I will read you the main clause: Having by care full inquiry ascertained that my nephew the said Derrick Harwood, is exceedingly averse to entering into the matrimonial state, hereby rescind all previous wills, and direct that the sum of 10000 pounds be paid to him out of my estate if he does not marry
 'If he does not marryv' exclaimed Der rick, annoyed, What does that mean? It might mean anything"
 Precisely" responded the lawyer beam ing as though he detected exquisite humor in the phrase. Two interpretations can be placed upon the sentence. It may mean l say, 'may'-that you inherit even if you do not marry or it may actually be prohibition!'' P
 Harwood looked utterly mystified.
 ''I don't understand" he observed. My uncle left me 10000 pounds on condition that got married That was the first will. Now he leaves me that amount if I don't marry It is therefore quite clear that whether 1 marry or do not marry l get the