The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-06-12

tning, demonstrated the agitated man
OF law. "The fact that you were never
the wife of Robert"
your memory needs refreshing" {"
she interrupted. '1f you will consult
hooert Gwyn's will you will discover
mat he leaves half of his estate, ct
cetera, to my beloved and faithful
companion and helpmate, Rachel. who.
with me, has assumed the name of
1wyn for the rest of her life in view
OF certain circumstances which render
the change in the spelling of my name
ADVISABLE, notwithstanding the fact
that in signing this, my last will and
testament, l recognize the necessity
OF affixing my true and legal name
lou and 1 know the sentence by
heart, Andrew"
VI course, If the will reads as YOU
say-er-ahem! But it has Just oc-
CURED to me, Mrs. Gwyn, that you are
gong a little farther than is really
necessary in the matter. May l sug-
gest that you are not-er-obliged to
reveal the fact that you were never
married to him? That, it seems to me,
Is quite unnecessary. If, as you say,
your object is merely to set matters
straight so that your daughter and
Mr.. Gwynne may be free to marry, be-
ing In no sense related either by blood
or by law-such as would have been
the case IL you had married Ken
neth's father, why, it seems to me you
can avoid great deal of unpleasant
notoriety by-er-leaving out that par
ticular admission"
NO" she said, firmly. THANK you
Tor your kind advice-but. If you will
reflect, 1t is out of the question. You
forget what you have Just said. For
a lawyer, my dear friend, you are sur
prisingly simple today"
II see-I see," mumbled the lawyer,
mopping his brow. "Of course-er-
you are quite right You are a very
level-headed woman. Quite so. I
would have thought of 1t in another
moment or two. You can't leave out
that part of 1t Notwithstanding
the whole object and intent of your
-er-ahem II was about to say con-
fession. but that is nasty word. In
other words, unless you acknowledge
that you and Robert were never law
fully married, the-er--"
Exactly she broke in crisply.
THAT is the gist of the matter. So
ciety does not countenance marriage
between stepbrother and stepsister
So we will tell the whole truth-or
nothing at ALL
As she was leaving the office, he
said to her, with deep feeling: IT sup
pose you realize the consequences,
Mrs. Gwyn? 1t means ostracism for
you. You will not have a friend in
this town-not a person who will
speak to you. aside from the store
keepers who will value your custom
and"-he bowed deeply-your humble
servant"
"I fully appreciate what 1t means" "
she responded wearily. ut means that
IL continue to hold my head up or
dare to look my neighbor in the face I
shall be called brazen as well as cor
rupt," she went on after moment, a
sardonic little twist at the corner Of
her mouth. well, SO be it. I have
thought of all that. Have no fear for
me, my friend. 1 have never been
afraid of the dark-so why should I
fear the light?'
You're a mighty fine woman, Ra-
chel Gwyn," cried the lawyer, warm
ly.
She frowned as she held out her
hand. None of that, IL you please" "
she remarked tersely. "Win you have
the paper ready for me to sign this
afternoon?"
II will submit 1t to you right after
dinner"
"You may expect me here at two
o'clock. We will then step over to the
Free Press and allow Mr., Semans to
copy the document for his paper" She
allowed herself a faint smile. II dare
say he can make room for it, even II
he has to subtract little from his
account of the stirring events of yes
terday."
"Your story will make great SEN
sation," declared the lawyer, wiping
his brow once more. He can't afford
to-er-leave 1t out"
At two o'clock she was in his Office
again. He read the carefully prepared
document to her.
This is like signing your own death
warrant, Rachel Gwyn," he said pain
fully, as she affixed her signature and
held up her hand to be sworn.
mo. I am signing 4 pardon for two
guiltlsss people who are suffering for
the sins of Others"
THAT reminds me-" he began, purs-
ing his lips. Il have been rejecting
during your absence. Has 1t occurred
to you that this act Of yours is certain
to raa ot xpitt ,nnc an rrnnr,