Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1913-10-09

ing iove TO TWO girls at the same time.
She was so beautiful. never 50
vivaciouS. never so reSourceful. Brock
was under the spell; he was fascinat-
ed; he had to look to himself carefully
in order to keep his wits in the pre-
scribed channel.
His self esteem received Il severe
shock at the opera. Mrs. Medcroft,
with malice aforethought. insisted that
Ulstervelt should take her husbands
seat. AS the box held but six persons.
the unfortunate Brock was compelled
to shift more or less for himself. In
wardly raging. he suavely assured the
party-Freddie in particular-that he
would find Il seat in the body of the
house and would join them during the
entracte. Then he went out and sat
in the foyer. 1t was fortunate that he
hated Wagner. Before the end of the
act he was Joined by Mr.. Rodney. hor-
ribly bored and eager for relief. In a
nearby cafe they had a whisky and
soda apiece and. feeling comfortably
REINFORCED, returned to the opera house
arm in arm. long and short, thin and
fat. literally discoursing upon the in.
tellectuality Of Herr Wagner.
Say, you're not at all like an Eng.
lishman!' exclaimed Mr.. Rodney i'm.
pulsively. ever gratefully.
Eth, what?:" gasped Brock. replacing
his eyeglass. 'Oh. | say, now. 'por
my word. haw, haw.w
you've got an American sense OF
humor. Medcroft-that's what you
have. You recognize the joke thai
Wagner played on the world. Pardon
me for saying it, sir. but l didn't think
it was in an Englishman.'
"Haw. haw: Ripping. by Jove! No
no! Not you. l mean the joke. Bu1
then. you see. it's been so long since
Wagner played it that even an English
man has had time to see the point. Be
sides. I've lived a bit Of my life ir
America"
THAT accounts for it, said the tact
less but sincere Mr.. Rodney.
Brock glared so venomously at the
intrusive MIR. Ulstervelt upon the oc
casion of his next visit to his own boz
that Mrs. Medcroft smiled softly t.
herself as she turned her face away
A few minutes later she seized the op
%portunity to whisper in his ear. Hel
eyes were sparkling. and something il
her manner bespoke of bated breath.
You are in love with my sister,
wac what che coi1 f0 him Ho h1J1Sh,
ed convincingly.
"Nonsense!" be managed to reply,
but without much responsiveness.
But you are. Pm not blind. Any
one can see it. She sees it. Haven't
you sense enough to hide it from her:
How do you expect to win?"
MY dear Mrs.-my dear Edith. you
amaze me. I'm confusion itself; but,
he went On eagerly. illogically. do
you think l could win her?"
"That is not for ones wife to say"
she said demurely.
"Id be tremendously proud Of you
as a sister-in-law. And I'd be much
obliged if you'd help me. But look at
that COMPOUNDED U%lstervelt. He's max.
ing love to her with the whole house
looking on"
II think it might be polite if you
were to ask him out for q drink" she
suggested.
But I've had one. and l never take
two"
Model husband! Then take the
girls into the foyer for a stroll and a
chat after the act. Don't mind me.
I'm your friend"
do you think I've got a chance with
her?" he asked with a brave effort.
you've had one wife thrust upon
you. why should you expect another
without a struggle? Pm afraid you'll
have to work for Constance"
But l have you'll can count on
your %approval"' he whispered eagerly.
Don't, Roxbury! People will think
you are making love to me-" she pro.
tested. willfully ignoring his question.
He returned to the box after the sec
ond act and proposed a turn in the
foyer. To his disgust. Ulstervelt ap-
propriated Constance and left him to
follow with Mrs. Rodney and Rather
Inc. He almost hated Edith for the
tantaliZing smile she shot after him as
he moved away. defeated.
If he was glaring luridly at the IT.
repressible Freddie. he was not alone
in his gloom. Katherine Rodney
green with jealousy. was sending spite
full glances after her dearest friend,
while Mrs. Rodney was shifting the air
as II it We're laden with frost.
Don't you think Connie is a perfect
dear? I'm so fond Of her" said Miss
Rodney. so sweetly that he should
have detected the neither flow.
He started and pulled himself to,
gether. Jaw. yes--ripping!" He con.
sciously adjusted his eyeglass for a
aasty glance about In search OF the