New Ulm review., 1913-10-08

spen'x shake hands," che warned.
this state Of matrimonial bliss7 That's
no small detail. you know, even though
It escaped for the moment"
''Three weeks." =.
'aThree weeksy' He almost reeled
'That's 4 long time in these days
Of speedy divorces" said Medcroft
blandly.
The Care de 'Est was thronged with
people when Brock appeared fully half
an hour before departing time. In no
little dismay he found himself wonder
Ing If the whole Of Paris was going
away or, Oh the other hand, II the rest
Of the continent was arriving. he felt
a fool in Medcroft's unspeakable check
ed suit, and the eyeglass was a much
more obstinate, untractable thing than
he had even suspected it could be.
The right side of his face was In a
condition Of semiparalysis, due to the
muscular exactions required. he had
a sickening fear that the scowl that
marked his brow was destined to form
a perpetual alliance with the smirk at
the corner Of his nose, forever destroy
ing the symmetry Of his face. If one
who has not the proper facial con-
struction will but attempt the feat OF
holding q monocle In place for un.
broken hours he may come to appreci-
ate at least one Of the trials which be-
set poor Brock.
Every one seemed to be staring at
him. He heard more than one Ameri-
can in the scurrying throng say to an
other, English" and he felt relieved
until an Englishman or two upset his
confidence by brutally alluding to him
as "confounded American toady.
It was quite train time before Mrs.
Medcroft was seen hurrying in from
the carriage way, pursued by trio OF
facteurs laden with bags and boxes.
"Don't shake hands!' she warned In
a quick whisper as they came together
II recognized you by the clothes"
"Thank God. it wasn't my face" he
cried. "Are your trunks checkedY'
Eyes, this afternoon. I have nothing
but the bags. You have the tickets
Then let US get aboard. just couldn't
get here earlier" she whispered guilt
fly. I'VE had to say goodby, you know
Poor old Roxyl How he hated it!
sent Burton and O'Brien on ahead OF
mo. My sister brought them here in
her carriage, and I dare say they're
aboard and abed by this time. You
didn't see them7 But, Of course, you
wouldn't know my maids. How stupid
Of me! Don't be alarmed: They have
their instructions, Roxbury. Doesn't 1t
sound odd to you?"
Brock was icy cold with apprehen-
sion as they walked down the line OF
wagons Its in the wake Of the bag bear
ers Mrs. Medcroft was as self pos
sessed and as degagee as he was Ill at
ease and awkward. AS they ascended
the steps Of the carriage she turned
back to him and said with the most
malicious twinkle in her eyes:
"1'm not bit nervous"
But you've been married so much
longer than l have" he responded.
Then came the disposition of the bags
and parcels. She calmly directed the
porters to put the overflow into the up
per berth. The garde came up to re-
monstrate in his most rapid French.
But where is m'sieur to sleep If the
bags go up thereT' he argued.
Mrs. Medcroft dropped her toilet bag
and turned to Brock with startled eyes,
her lips parted. He was standing In
the passage, his two bags at his feet,
an aroused CLEAN in his eyes. A deep
flush overspread his face. An express
sion Of utter rout succeeded the buoy
ancy of the moment before.
Really" she murmured and could
80 no further. The lovehest pucker
came into her face Brock waved the
garde aside.
Its all right" he explained II
shan't occupy the-I mean. I'll take
one of the other compartments" AS
the garde opened his lips to protest she
kh4 MI