Even this did not fix Paul’s attention.  He wanted to hear about his mother and Mr. Moffatt, and not about their things; and he didn’t quite know how to frame his question.  But Mrs. Heeny looked kindly at him and he tried.  “Why is mother married to Mr. Moffatt now?”

“Why, you must know that much, Paul.”  Mrs. Heeny again looked warm and worried.  “She’s married to him because she got a divorce—­that’s why.”  And suddenly she had another inspiration.  “Didn’t she ever send you over any of those splendid clippings that came out the time they were married?  Why, I declare, that’s a shame; but I must have some of ’em right here.”

She dived again, shuffled, sorted, and pulled out a long discoloured strip.  “I’ve carried this round with me ever since, and so many’s wanted to read it, it’s all torn.”  She smoothed out the paper and began: 

“’Divorce and remarriage of Mrs. Undine Spragg-de Chelles.  American Marquise renounces ancient French title to wed Railroad King.  Quick work untying and tying.  Boy and girl romance renewed. “’Reno, November 23d.  The Marquise de Chelles, of Paris, France, formerly Mrs. Undine Spragg Marvell, of Apex City and New York, got a decree of divorce at a special session of the Court last night, and was remarried fifteen minutes later to Mr. Elmer Moffatt, the billionaire Railroad King, who was the Marquise’s first husband.

“’No case has ever been railroaded through the divorce courts of this State at a higher rate of speed:  as Mr. Moffatt said last night, before he and his bride jumped onto their east-bound special, every record has been broken.  It was just six months ago yesterday that the present Mrs. Moffatt came to Reno to look for her divorce.  Owing to a delayed train, her counsel was late yesterday in receiving some necessary papers, and it was feared the decision would have to be held over; but Judge Toomey, who is a personal friend of Mr. Moffatt’s, held a night session and rushed it through so that the happy couple could have the knot tied and board their special in time for Mrs. Moffatt to spend Thanksgiving in New York with her aged parents.  The hearing began at seven ten p. m. and at eight o’clock the bridal couple were steaming out of the station.

“’At the trial Mrs. Spragg-de Chelles, who wore copper velvet and sables, gave evidence as to the brutality of her French husband, but she had to talk fast as time pressed, and Judge Toomey wrote the entry at top speed, and then jumped into a motor with the happy couple and drove to the Justice of the Peace, where he acted as best man to the bridegroom.  The latter is said to be one of the six wealthiest men east of the Rockies.  His gifts to the bride are a necklace and tiara of pigeon-blood rubies belonging to Queen Marie Antoinette, a million dollar cheque and a house in New York.  The happy pair will pass the honeymoon in Mrs. Moffatt’s new home, 5009 Fifth Avenue, which is an exact copy of the Pitti Palace, Florence.  They plan to spend their springs in France.’”