The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1907-05-10
A Surprise Party.
[Original.1


There was a house party at Edward
Medway's, who had just come into
possession Of modest estate, not
enough to live on without doing any
thing. but a good thing to have to help
man to success who was AMBITIOUS.
Dudley Weyburn was there, a good
natured. rollicking, devil may care sort
of chap, with large fortune, winch ne
spent lavishly on his friends. He was
bent on marrying Laura Leonard, one
of the girls of the party, but, though
she gave him considerable encourage
ment, would never say yes to any Oh
his numerous proposals. Weyburn ana
Midway were great friends, and one |
day Midway said to the lover:
"Its plain enough, Dudley, that l4au-
ra Leonard wants you. She's only fool
ing with you. Girls have queer whims,
and hers seems to be to bother you"
"What makes you think she wants
me?" asked Weyburn Frightening.
"Well, you're a deuced good fellow
young, handsome and rich. What else
would a girl want? Now, I'll tell you
what you do. Well put Laura in
trap. I'll propose a series of mock
marriages and ask her to begin with
you. She can dress herself in bridal
finery All girls love to do that. I'll
get myself up as parson, and well
have marriage ceremony in presence
of witnesses. Then after it's all over
we can take the ground that it's legal.
She'll be satisfied, only she'll want to
be married over again"
Weyburn after much persuasion con-
scented. Miss Leonard at first refused,
but finally consented also.
The performance was great sue
cess. Miss Midway played wedding
march on the piano; the bride, followed
by her attendants, came down the
main staircase, while Weyburn, sup
ported by his groomsmen, filed out of
the library, meeting the bride in the
hall and proceeding to the drawing
room, where they stood at one end of
the apartment. 1t had been agreed that
the religious part of the ceremony was
to be left out which satisfied the bride
that there would be nothing binding
in the ceremony. The bride and groom
consented to take each other for better
or for worse, and they We're pronounc-
ed man and wife. Congratulations fol
lowed. and all proceeded to the we'd
ding supper.
When Midway, who had agreed to
announce to the bride that she was
really married, an hour later took hel
away by herself and told her Of the
fact he met with reception far differ
ent from what he had expected.
"Do you mean to tell me-" she said
turning pale, "that I'm really married
to Mr.. WeyburnY
"You took him for your welded hus
band and he took you for his welded
wife in the presence of witnesses"
But you are not a clergyman, ant
you didn't put in any of the religious
part of the service" She was CROWN!
more terror stricken every moment.
s'There Is what is called Scotcl
marriage, in which two persons agree
ing to marry each other in presence o
; witnesses are legally married"
"But this is not Scotland"
"It's impossible to tell exactly wha
constitutes a marriage in this country
but since there is every probability o
+ your being married to Dudley Wey
burn, since he is young, handsome an
rich, 1t seems to me best under the eli
cumstances you'd better call it a &C
You can have another wedding, swe
affair, you know"
But l don't want Dudley Weyburn.
This was said with such agony tina
Midway was terror stricken at wha
he had done.
"Great heavens, Laura! l hope your
not in love with any one else''
J. Eyes, 1 am" she said, bursting int
. tears.
e Midway was thunderstruck. As 500
as he had recovered himself a bit cur
osity as to who was the possessor c
: the girls heart overcame all other col
siderations. Could it be possible tina
| with no fortune she could decline on,
with very good fellow for husband
for some young man who must wor
for his living?
| IL o"Luiy SOlls, Abouiu, LIE Sdl
soothingly 1--WE didn't intend to g
against your wishes. Do you mind tel
ing me who tho man Is you wished t
marry?'
ooh, couldn'tv' She buried her fac
in diyan pillow.
"There wouldn't be any impropriet
: In your telling me in confidence"
! "Not since l can't marry the man
! love?"
e Certainly"
> ''But it wouldn't be treating my hui
e band right"
: What conscience" said Medwa
to himself. Then aloud: ''Oh, tina
/ would be all right He'd never know it
well, since I'm married and there
nothing wrong or immodest about tel
: ing, the man l love is
"Out with 1t, Laura You'll feel be
ter when you've relieved your mind"
|, you" she whimpered.
t No pen or pencil could adequatel
! picture the expression on Edward
!. face at the receipt of this informatio,
The clock licked many seconds befol
he moved: then he bent down and n,