The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1904-04-15
i SUFFICIENT TEST
tOriginal.l

EnOch Gradgrlnu ana HIS sistei heV
orah, orphans. lived together. "heh
Deborah was eighteen she declined 10
marry man she loved rather than
leave her Brother to keep house alone.
Enoch did not take the love fever I'LL
he was nearly forty. Then. Miss Ma
tilda Fairfield. ten years his junior, was
the person with whom he was lnocu-
lated.
Deborah concealed her disappoint-
ment when her brother told her or MS
engagement. She had no acquaintance
with the Fairiields. but 1t was To De
expected that she would call on Ma
tilda. and she did That young lady
returned the call just as soon as IL
would not appear that she was making
unscemly haste. Enoch was at home
and came down with his sister to vel
come her Miss Fairfield did not near
them coming and when they entered
she was making an eye measurement
Of the parlor with view to IN entire
ly different arrangement OF the furni-
ture when she should come into pos
session. Deborah hud some such feel
ing MS she would have experienced had
she been supposed to be dead and an
undertaken was measuring her for her
coffin. However, she welcomed her
expectant sister-in-law and after
awhile excused herself on the plea Of
some special work that wouldn't Wait
and left the lovers together.
"Enoch," said Miss Fairfield, ''thts
parlor IS all wrong. shall have the
piano moved to the other corner and
the bookcase put over there. That
fireplace is as black as your hat with
smoke shall shut it up anu put in n
gas log"
The fireplace was Enoch's delight.
Tile loved ON winter evenings to warm
his shins before 1t and especially de-
tested the modern sham substitutes.
An alarm struck within him.
Deborah and have long loved that
fireplace" he said. Il don't know
what we shall do without it,"
I'VE? 1t surely viii not concern
your sister,"
why not: z"
'sYou don't expect her to live with
US, do you!"
This il pretty big house even for
three"
Miss Fairfield's foot began to pat the
carpet. Evidently there had been a
misunderstanding.
IF you think any house is big
enough for wife and sister-in-law
you're mistaken"
orah."
do you suppose 1t would be prac-
ticable for me to come in here and
manage It with the woman who has
always been Its manager to criticisc
everything do?"
Enoch sat bordering awhile, then
said he hadn't thought Of that.
"You will think of it IL I'm to be
your wife, and provide for it. Either
I'm to be untrammcled mistress OF my
own house or don't want the house
at ALL"
Enoch had been proceeding on the
principle that she would marry him
under the most adverse circumstances.
lie began to waken from his dream.
Il Sec" he said. "I'll-I'll think 1t
over"
Think it over? Think what over:"
why, ab3it turning Deborah out"
1t Isn't turning her out; its the
natural course OF things
Il haven't any doubt you're right.
now l come to think Of it. You see, /
never intended to take wife till
saw you and loved you for your amia,
billty, your unselfshness and your
good sense. This part of it is all new
to me-
She went and sat down by him, TAX
Ing his hand. lie was a good fellow.
and she was growing very fond of
him. She had supposed that he knew
sisters-in-law could not liTe together,
and this sudden coming against the
problem troubled her. She caressed
lin. but somehow there was no
warmth In his returns. Finally she
rose to leave. Enoch called his sister,
and there was an adieu which, though
on tie surface did not appear TO be
constrained, WAS really without cor
diality.
A week passed, and Deborah saw
nothing OF the woman who was to
take her place. Enoch spent his even
ings at home. His sister began to
grow curious.
You're not treating your lsdylove
just right, Enoch, I fear"
I've broken it off,,
Broken it OFF,"
YES"
How could youw
Il have no desire to marry any wo-
man who does not lore me well enough
to sacrifice for me. Indeed, she must
love me better than all the world"
''WeIl?"
Il made a test with Matilda. / In
tended to make several tests, but she
didn't stand the first The day she re-
turned your call she told me that whe.,
we wSIe married she would shut up
the tieplace i'll our sitting room and
put In gas log. When went to see
her the next day told her that the
fireplace must remain us 1t Is. She
Haired up and told me that no man
should dictate to her how the house
should be run. / had intended IL she
stood that test to tell nor TINT Won