Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1889-12-20


earthly refuge, the club, will pail at
times on the masculine mind. And
when the dailes deal only in politics
and death notices, what can the poor
fellows do but yawn at thee dreary
prospect.
The Phoenix is an exceptional club.
Within it's privileged walls the gilded
youth and rich merchants of II great
city dined and gossiped. On this
particular morning, it was a small
and early affair that united the host
andhis two guests in congenial meal.
Frederick Barton was giving one of
his Justly celebrated little breakfasts
to n friend, en- route for New York.
But even breakfast was thing of
the past, and with chairs pushed from
the table, the men We're consoling
the regret of stated appetite with the
comforting cigar.
Conversation had flowed toits low
est ebb, when George Huntington
made his brilliant suggestion of read
ing the paper. With the persistency
of u man who feels himself within the
clutch of boredolc, he reiterated
his novel idea.
"Well, read us the death notices, if
you won't read politics. Let us see
who has been put under che sod.
Maybe Il creditor" he said with an
air of hope.
Barton shook his head but never
theless he took up the paper and
glanced idly at the sheets before him.
AS his eye fell on the column where
are recorded the names of those who
have recently died, he changed color
violently, and looked uneasily at his
riend, John Torrance, who had just
isen from his chair.
"Atleast, n creditor, said Torrance,
stretching himself with sleepy sigh,
"and whilo you rejoice at this I'M
timely end | will leave you for half
an hour or SO. and on my return |
shall doubtless find you, Huntington,
still gloating" He waved his hand
to his friends and went in quest of u
nap.
Fred Barton gaze followed him
across the room with painful inter
est The paper fell on the table, but
his land still held it with apparent
carelessness. As the door closed he
turned with an expression of relief
toward his remaining guest. The
hand that grasped the paper relaxed
its hold and flung that respectable
journal at Huntington, while Barton
almost gasped:
Read that"
Read what" said the other, sit
ting upright in his chair, at this
acknowledgements burst. "W h C h.
when, where, how, what am to read?"
1.-The third death notice." replied
Barton, grayely, land when you
have read it you will know that
nothing bur Torranee's timely de-
parture saved me. but especially him
from about as unpleasant situation
as can he conceived"
Huntington smoothed the crump-
led folds and read aloud:
SAT Washington, ID. C.. March %,
Mary Hastings, beloved wife of r.,
7. Kenyon, in the twenty eighth
year of her life. Burial at Mt. Hope,
March 81. " "Twenty-eight years,
he said, retlectiyely; very young and
very sad, OF course, but why does it
affect you and Torrance. Now, my
sympathies are with the bereaved
r. r."
Il had forgotten, You were in
Europe that year, just after you left
college; Mary Hastings had been out
several seasons then, and was
married not long afterwards. She
was great belle, and all the men
raved over her"
81 suppose that means You and
Torrance were both in love with her
and raved with the chorus. What
was it, duel or n graceful backing
down before Il. IT,"
at was neither" answered Barton
sharply, IL was not in love with
her, but Torrance was. | don't
know that ought to tell you the
story, though part of it is well known
to many here and-well, | must talk
it out, for | shall have to tell John
finally, and Ihad rather take a good
clubbing than do it"
Don't hesitate on my account"
said Huntington, encouraging; Il
rather like bit of gossip myself"
81 was SO upset when | saw that
notice that can't think now how |
managed to let Torrance get out of
the room without betraying myself
And you, with your stupid insistenes
about reading the paper-I felt like
throwing you through the window"