es, figurin' I'd lose my temper and
give her a tongue lashin'. Gosh, I'm glad she's dead. It was gettin'
to be an awful nuisance chasing parrots out of the trees back of Bob's
house. They got so's they'd come down there and set around all day
pickin' up things she said. Somebody told me the other day he heard a
parrot 'way up in the woods swearin' like a sailor. He fired a club at
it, and what do you think it said to him?"

"If you weren't such an ungodly liar, Soapy, I'd ask you," said Chief
Justice Malone.

Soapy regarded him sorrowfully.

"If you keep on sayin' things like that, Judge, I'll have to tell your
wife you ain't true to her," said he.

"And that would be the most prodigious lie you ever told," exclaimed Mr.
Malone.

"Sure. You and me know it's a lie, but you'd ketch hell, just the same."

CHAPTER II.

The population of Trigger Island has increased. Following the example
of Buck Chizler and the Governor himself, scores of dubious lovers
took heart. They succeeded in dispelling certain misgivings--and doubts
lurking in the hearts,--not to say consciences,--of approximately
three-fourths of the unmarried women on the island, with the result that
Father Francisco and Parson Mackenzie were kept exceedingly busy for a
number of weeks.

The "state," guided by the newly elected Chief Justice, extracted vows
even more severe than those incorporated in the marriage
service. And yet, despite the emphatic declarations of certain
candidates,--principally male,--there remained in the minds of
all,--including brides,--a lingering doubt. On the other hand, several
ardent and undoubtedly honest gentlemen were unable to marry the objects
of their affection for the simple reason that too many people were able
to recall the lamentations of the ladies themselves, in the early days
when it was customary to suffer because of the suspense and agony their
poor husbands were enduring at home.

The case of Joe Hooker and Matilda Larson was particularly distressing,
and ultimately led to the passage of a rather drastic law by the
Council. Judge Malone was the father of this law. It provided for the
automatic annulment of all previous marriages at the expiration of two
years,--provided, however, the absent husband or wife didn't turn up to
contest the matter. This law also granted absolute freedom to the absent
husband or wife, who was thereby authorized to remarry without further
notice,--or words to that effe