I ai'nt a-goin' to git mad no more. Le's be startin', Ranse, so's we
kin git home by sundown."
Justice-of-the-peace Benaja Widdup interposed as they started for the
door, forgetting his presence.
"In the name of the State of Tennessee," he said, "I forbid you-all to
be a-defyin' of its laws and statutes. This co't is mo' than willin'
and full of joy to see the clouds of discord and misunderstandin'
rollin' away from two lovin' hearts, but it air the duty of the co't
to p'eserve the morals and integrity of the State. The co't reminds
you that you air no longer man and wife, but air divo'ced by regular
decree, and as such air not entitled to the benefits and 'purtenances
of the mattermonal estate."
Ariela caught Ransie's arm. Did those words mean that she must lose
him now when they had just learned the lesson of life?
"But the co't air prepared," went on the Justice, "fur to remove the
disabilities set up by the decree of divo'ce. The co't air on hand to
perform the solemn ceremony of marri'ge, thus fixin' things up and
enablin' the parties in the case to resume the honour'ble and
elevatin' state of mattermony which they desires. The fee fur
performin' said ceremony will be, in this case, to wit, five dollars."
Ariela caught the gleam of promise in his words.
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