The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1913-09-05
THE
HUSBANDS
OF EDITH
Blu
GEORGE BARR
M'CUTCHEON
Copyright bp Dodd. Mead & Co.
Copyright bp Dodd. Mead & Co.
n.
Mrs. Msdcroft.

CHAp En- u.
Mrs. Msdcroft.
ToR ten minutes Brock protested.
his argument growing weaker
and weaker as the true humOr
Of the project developed In his
mind. He came at last to realize that
Medcroft a In earnest and that the
It. The Englishman's plan was unusu-
al, but it was not as rattle Drained as
1t had seemed at the outset. Brock
was beginning to see the possibilities
that the ruse contained. To say the
least, he would be running little o. no
risk in the event Of its miscarriage. In
spite Of possible unpleasant conse-
Quences. there were the elements Of q
are lark in the enterprise. he felt
himself being skillfully guided past
the pitfalls and dangers.
II shall insist on talking It over
thoroughly with Mrs. Medcroft before
consenting." he said in the end. If
she's being bluffed into the game III
revoke like a fash II she's keen for
the adventure I'll go. Rox. But I've
got to see her first and talk it all
OVER
"'Pon my word, old chap. she's rip
ping. awfully good sort. even though l
say It myself. She's true blue. and
she'll do anything for me. You see.
Brock" and his voice grew very ten
der. ''she loves me. I'm sure Of her.
There isn't a nobler wife in the world
than mine. Nor a prettier n either"
he concluded. with pride In his eyes.
You won't be ashamed Of her. You
will be proud Of the chance to point
her out as your wife. take my word
Tor it." Then they set out for the
Ritz.
"Roxbury." said Brock soberly when
they were in the Rue de la Paix after
walking two blocks in contemplative
silence. my peace Of mind is poised
at the brink Of an abyss. have a
feeling that I am about to chuck It
over"
Nonsense! You'll buck up when
Edith has had a ding at you"
II suppose I'm to call her Edith?"
Certainly. and l won't mind q dear
or two when 1t seems propitious. It's
rather customary. you know. even
among the unhappily married OF
course I've always been opposed to
kissing or caressing in public. It's %
middle class"
And I daresay Mrs. Medcroft will
object to 1t in private" lamented Brock
good naturally.
II d~aresay." said her husband cheer
fully. "She's your wife in public only.
BY the way. you'll have to get used to
the name Of Roxbury. Don't look
around as II you expected to find me
standing behind your back when she
says 'Roxbury. dear! I shan't be
there. you know She'll mean You.
Don't forget that"
"Oh. say" exclaimed Brock. halt
ing abruptly and staring In dismay at
the confident conspirator. will I have
to wear a suit Of clothes like that and
an eyeglass and-and-good Lordi
spatsY'
by Jove. you shall wear this very
suit!' cried Medcroft. inspired. We're
Of q siso, and It won't at you any better
than It does me. Our clothes never 81
us in London. Clever idea Of yours
Brock. to think Of It And. herel Well
stop at this shop and pick up a glass
You can have all day for practice with
It. And. ! say. Brock. don't you think
you IAN cultivate a-er-little nor Of
an English style of speech7 That
tVang Of yours won't''-
Heavens, man. I'm to be a low
comedian tool" gasped Brock as be wal
fairly pushed on to the shop. Three
minutes later they IN the side
walk. and Brock was in possession Of
IN object he had scorned most Of al
things In the world-a mon0cle.
Arm In arm they sauntered into thu
Ritz. Medcroft retained his clasp OF
his friends elbow as they went up II
the lift. after the fashion Of n wht
fears that his victim is contemplating
hight A. they entered the comforta
BILE little sitting room of the suit I
young woman rose gracefully from tn
desk at which she had been writing
With perfect composure she smiled AM
extended her slim hand to the Ameri
can % be crossed the room with Med
croft's jerky Introduction dinging y
his ears.
my old friend. Brock, dear. He ha
consented to b your husband. You'v
never met your wife. have you. Oh
manT' A blush spread over her q
Auisite face.
.Oh. RoxbuSy, how embarrassing
ne HASN'T eVS1 pr0possd TO me. 8
lad to meet you. Mr. Brock I'VE bee
heying TO picture what you would loo
Ne ave stnce ROxbury went out {
ma ron. Sit here. please, near nj
Roxbury. has Mr.. Brock really falls
into your terrible trapf lan'tfffhs mo-
rfdiculous proceeding. NJ. Brock''
CaIi him. Roxbnry. my dear he
M prepafed tor Il And nov let'
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