The Ordway new era., 1914-04-24

e., sWen, I'm the victim OF q chain OF
eircumstantisl eyidence. Far be 1t
from me to interfere with Ida,s mat
rImonial prospects but I'm quite sure
Ida feels. that I've been basely trying
to tear Leonard from her. Yet the
fact is that my interest In him is
i, merely iof h. Aild, reminiscent type.
1t doesn't make any difference to me
about being left out of the bridal par
ty. Those pink wells the bridesmaids
are going to. wear are hideous. but
do hope poor dear old Leonard has
been able to convince Ida that there
are no tender sentiments, between us
II hadn't seen Leonard for q, long
time-not since the engagement was
announced-untif one day about 4
month ago. when was sturrying
along the street looking for shelter
from sudden shower Leonard came
out of building. and as he was rails
ing his umbrella, he caught sight Of
poor me. He asked where. !, was 60
ing and said he would take me, as
the shop mentioned was only little
out Of his way.
He gave me his arm, and, with the
umbrella tight down over our heads.
we marched to the shop door, where
to my great surprise. Ida stood gag
ing out on the weather uncertainty.
She gave us . keen glance as she
greeted us., but lapghted and said that
Leonard could continue his calling Of
good Samaritan. Then, pleading an
immediate engASemcnt. darted into
the store.
"The next Sunday morning. was ih
the Randalls car and we psssed Leon
ard. Mr.. Dandau called to him TO taks
the seat In the tonneau NEXT ms, He
protested that he hadn't time for .
ride, 70 Mr. BAAdall said to get IN.
and he'd take him where he was 20
/ ing. Then he turned in the direction
Of Ida's house. IdS was sitting on
the steps and fancied that t'Ahe wasn't
quite 70 pleased to seq me ~ one
might have expectsd.i' =
We'll. 1t did look funny-your being
together SO soon again" IL
Yes, but the next time locker fun.
nier still. It Was In the tearoom II
downtown store., was wandering
about looking for . table when Leon;
ard spied me and insisted that !
Join him at one Of those little tables
by the window. We had Just given
our order when along came Ida. 7
saw her FIRST, and d4-bowed and smiled
~ gayiy as could. but to my hor-
ror. she looked past me, with . stony
air that was most disconcerting.
There's Ida!' cried to Leonard.
And he. as he saw her pass the table
with her head majestically high. rose
and hastily followed. He brought her
back almost BY force. OF course.
wished myself In Jericho. but I wasn't.
l tried all during that ghastly meal
to chat merrily. but l knew my air of
| nonchalance was overdone. Poor
Leonard, too. attempted = careless
gayety, but his temperature fell every
time Ida's cold glance descended
upon him. really hoped when part
ed with them after the coffee that
should never see either one OF them
again. But was doomed.
"A week didn't pass before met
Leonard in candy shop. He beamed
upon me with a smile that showed me
he had allayed Ida's suspicious.
This is great. Jane he said. I
| Chuc III ~ oIucT y UOA VI SaAuy AoI
Ida. and now I'm going to buy you
one. too. for old friendships sake. In
little while I'll be married I'm happy
to say. and then I'll have to cease buy
ing candy for little schoolmates. What
kind do you like best?"
ANY other person who had suffered
series of experiences like mine
would have had sense enough to fee
from the store without an instant's de-
lay. But the candy tempted me.
remembered his generous boxes of
old. and fingered,
"Of course. my usual fate pursued
me. Ida came and stammered and
blushed as violently as II had shame
lessly decoyed Leonard to that candy
counter myself! Imagine my feel
lngs when Leonard gave me the five
pound box Of nougats the clerk hand
ed him. II he had been the least bit
intelligent he would have kept that
box under his arm and presented 1t
to Ida after I had passed casually out
Of the store. Aren't some men idiots?