Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-01-20
DAILY SHORT STORY
A GlVE-AWAY.

[OriginaLl
"Why, Bert" exclaimed Irene, where
did you come from?''
1.-The city, of course. That's where
hang out"
But you never come out to this quiet
suburb unless you have an object"
''Object, What object?'
Irene looked trifie disappointed.
Haven't you heard: 2" she asked.
Heard, Heard whatY'
"Oh. pshaw. / asked your object in
coming to Fernwood. You certainly
did not come to make formal call"
We'll. then, my dear, since you will
have it so l came out to congratulate
you on your engagement to my most in
innate friend" And 1 gave my sister q
smack.
Were you SurprisedE'
Surprised? OF course l was sur
prised. Sandie always said he wouldn't
marry girl with money: that he
wouldn't play second fiddle TO any wo-
man. He must be desperately in love
with YOU
A happy look came into her eyes and
a warm color slowly spread itself over
her cheeks.
You heard it from
Film. He has already asked me to
be his best man-to give him away and
all that
1.-The best man doesn't give the groom
away. The groom isn't given away at
all. It's the bride"
We'll. I'm quite sure" with a mali
cious twinkle in my eye. that Sandie
said something about giving him away.
Perhaps it was not to give'him away"
WHAT
There was so sudden transition
from pleasure to pain that l gave over
being facetious temporarily and said
seriously:
Il suppose you are quite aware that
Sandie has nothing but his profession?"
Il know that. It's fortunate / have
something But tell me-had you any
inkling of it?''
My trouble has always been q tend
ency to joke people. l had very much
suspected Irene's and Sandie's love af-
fair. but 1 preferred to give her the OPP
posite impression. Since that time
have learned that / never could give
people direct answer. must always
be misleading them. But didn't real
ize 1T or the folly of ii tillIlater.
Not the slightest suspicion" 1 said
in reply to her question.
THAT'S queer" she said thoughtful
ly. You are Sandie's most intimate
friend, and people must tell their love
to those nearest them"
Men differ about that women must
ALWAYS have Il COufidauf-
And he never praised me to you?"
Not that | remember Still waters
run deep. you know"
There was Il pause, during which
Irene was evidently doing a good deai
of thinking.
when did you first suspect? 2" she
asked presently.
Last fall. when l met, Sandie at the
station on his way out l&re to see you.
| was going to Pinnacle That was
let me see-the LIST of November /
the date because l had to
go to Pinnacle on that day to attend
court. Sandie when heSsaw me looked
disconnected. Where are you bound
for, old man. | asked. TO Fern
wood he stammered, coloring. What
you got in your hand:' l blurted. not
of the ruder:ess of the ques-
ton. Flowers he replied Then 1
began TO see that. l was tramping
about in bed of budding plants. |
'Goodby." l shouted as l. dashed off to
get my train
While was giving this little episode, |
to which Irene listened breathlessly. |
marked change came over her features. |
There was growing expression of |
pain, which settled down, after l had /
finished, TO hard, cold. rigid look.
''If Sandie asked you to give him
away" she said. you have certainly |
accommodated him in the most friend
y manner. / was at home on the LIST |
IF November. No Sandie appeared.
Lou Westcott doubtless received the
.ali and the flowers. What 1 suspected
S now confirmed. Sandie wished to
marry Lou. but she is poor, and he
gave her up for me-"
She stalked out of the room, turning
,nly to say: I'm awfully obliged,
Bert, for giving SaEdie away. You've
lone me the greatest favor of my life"
Hold on, Irene! 1 made up most of
hat story. It's true l net Sandie at
he station, but never asked him a
vord''-
There was no use finishing, for 1
leard a door bang upstairs. :
"Well. I'll come out all right" said
o myself. 'There'll be a tiff, Sandie Is
will explain, and they'll kiss and make n
p." Thus comforting myself, 1 left =
he house and returned to the city. On
IRVING / went straight to Sandie's II
1 felt anxious-but didn't
md him. The next day 1 went to his