The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1906-03-16
A GIvE.AwAY
IOriRinnl.l

irene lOOkGu Ns''APHO~~T
Haven't you heard?" she asked.
Heard. Heard what"
"Oh. pshaw 1 asked your object IN
coming to Fernwood. You certainly
did not come to make formal call
well then, my dear, since you Will
have it SO l came out to congratulate
you OH your engagement to my most IN
innate friend" And l gave my sister
smack.
"Were you surprisedT'
Surprised? or course I was sur
prised. Sandie always said he wouldn't
marry girl with money; that ne
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 1t from
"IIim. He has already asked me to
be his best man.-to give him away and
oil that"
1.-THE best man doesn't give the groom
away. The groom isn't given away at
all. It's the BRIDE"
| ell, Ill Qulte SulS, WIN - AA'ss'A
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 gave over
being fncetious temporarily and suid
seriously:
II suppose you are quite aware THAT
SandIe has nothing but his profession
II know that. It's fortunate l have
something. But tell me-had you any
! iniling Of it?'
. NV trouble has always been a tend
ency to Joke people. had very much
suspected Irene's and Sandie's love nj.
fair, but preferred to give her the op'
posite impression. Since that time I
have learned that I never could give
people direct answer. I must always
, be misleading them. But didn't real.
} lie it or the folly Of 1t till later.
; mot the slightest suspicion" l said
in reply to her question.
: "That's queer" she said thoughtful
| ". "You are Sandie's most intimate
: friend, and people must tell their low
to those nearest them"
"Men differ about that; women mus
!. always have a confidant."
"And he never praised me to YOUR
mot that / remember. Still water
run deep, you know"
r There was a pause, during whicl
= Irene was evidently doing a good dea
Of thinking.
y when did you first suspect" SD
7. asked presently.
"Iast fall, when met Sandie Mt tn
> station on his way out here to see yot
+ was going to Pinnacle. That was
q let me see-the list Of November.
4 remember the date because 1 had I
go to Pinnacle OH that day to atten
court. Sandle when he saw me locke
disconnected. Where are you boun
for, old MANI l asked. TO Ferl
wood he stammered. coloring. 'Whs
al you got in your handT blurted, NJ
thinking Of the rudeness Of the que
Ill ton. Flowers he replied. Then
began to see that l was trampin
T. about in bed Of budding plant
/ Goodbye shouted as L dashed of
~ get my train"
~ While was giving this little episod
vi to which Irene listened breathlessly,
marked change came over her feature
~ There was a growing expression
pain, which settled down, after l 81
finished, to a hard, cold, rigid look.
III Sandie asked you to give hi
away" she said, you have certain
| sJo< TOD him IN. thu v,oNct friaYl
~ manner. l was ut home on the
10 Of November No Sandie appeart
II Lou Westcott doubtless received t
- call and the flowers. What suspect
is now confirmed. Sandie wished
marry Lou, but she Is poor. and
gave her up for me-"
She stnlked out Of the room, turni
only to say: I'm awfully oblig
Bert, for giving Sandie away. You
done me the greatest favor Of my lif
Hold on, Irene! l made up most
that story. It's true I met Sandie
the station, but never asked him
word
There was no Use finishing, fol
heard door bang upstairs.
well, I'll come out all right
~ asis to myself. "There'll be a tilt, San
she will explain, and they'll kiss and mi
pre- up" Thus comforting myself, l
' hnr the house and returned to the city.
pice arriving went straight to Sand
Ink rooms-for I felt anxious-but die
c do., find him. The next day I went to
has Office but he was not there. l die
lnds see him till another morning. whe
HI. n,I met him ON the street.
He gave me dead cut. ! joined
.ken to have 1t out
p for whats the matter. Sandie"
laliy what did you give me away for
u hsS thought all men stood by all men, e
il he II the woman was sister,"
,sc "Give you away? How"
lght- "You told Irene that went to F,
MAY may, wood on Nov. with some flowers
ested Lou Westcott."
ms II mo, didn't. l told her you took
one flowers to her"
/ am "Well, / didn't. l took them to
your who has been an old flame of min,
iorco went to announce my engagement ,
ly no peace Offering"