The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1913-11-27
guest arrives in the house. 1t is not
IN ho haa rd af-.nO nor

guest arrives III the mouse. IL 10 hot
to be heard of-no. nor
Are you afraid that the books won't
balanceg' asked Brock. with a joyous
grin. q great load of his heart. La
dies and gentlemen. permit me to IN
troduce Mr. Roxbury Medcroft. my
friend and fellow conspirator. He IS
the husband of this lady. not |. am
to be the husband of this lady. thank
Godr' -.
There was moment of absolute 81
lence-it may have been stupor.. =. The
two audiences faced each other with
emotions widely at variance. It was
Mrs. Rodney who spoke first.
Els this true. Edith?" she quavered-
Eyes, yes. yes" cried Edith. her eyes
dancing
''Then. what are you doing here with
a man, who isn't your husbandT' de-
manded Mrs. Rodney. suddenly afame.
81 can explain everything to you
later on. Mrs. Rodney" interposed Mrs.
Odell Carney calmly. She had OWNED
at least a portion of the truth. and
she was clever enough to put herself
on the right side Edith cast an invol-
untary look of surprise at the English
woman II have known everything
from the first. Mrs. MedcrOft and j
are closer friends than you may have
thought" She gave Edith meaning
look and a moment later was whisper
ing to her in a private corner of the
private office: my dear. I don't know
what it means. but you must tell me
everything as soon as possible. l am
your friend Whatever it all is, it's
rippingr'
Medcroft finally waved every one
aside in the most degage manner
imaginable
Don't crowd me. Hang it all. I'm
not a curiosity There isn't anything
to go crazy about. My friend. Mr.
Brock, has just done me a trif1ing ia
vor That's all The whole story will
be in the London papers this morning
Buy 'em I'm going up to my wife's
room to see my baby. I'll come down
and explain everything when I've had
a bit of breathing spell It's annoy
ing to have had this fuss about a sim
pie little matter of generosity on the
part Of my friend. who. I've no doubt
has been most exemplary husband
the proper apologies. And, for that
matter. my wife may have something
to say about the outrage that has been
perpetratcd."
when did you arrive, old MANI
Last night on the 1910 I register
ed as Smith 1t was so late that |
decided not to disturb Edith. They
said In the office that you'd gone to
bed. Brock. Now that | recall 1t.
they said it in very odd way too
In fact. one Of the clerks asked If
had it in for you too"
"You were here all night?' murmur-
ed Constance in plaintive misery.
"Well. not precisely all night. Con.
ME. Half Of it," replied Roxbury.
"Brock, You ass. telegraphed you I
at the station | telegraphed twice
from London and
Don't call me an ass" grated
Brock. Why didn't you send EN- to
me as Medcroft? haven't been Brock
until this very morning"
"'Pon my soul. Brock, it was rather
stupid Of me-" he confessed sheepish-
~. But. you see." with an inspired
smile, lone of 'em was to congratulate
you on winning Connie By Jove, you
know. couldn't very well address
that one to myself"
"But-but he hadn't won me-" STAN
mered Constance Fowler.
Edith" said Roxbury, deep reproach
in his voice. you wrote me that
week ago" Edith merely squeezed his
arm.
OdeilCarney came forward and ex-
tended his hand. Permit me to intro
duce myself. sir. l am George Odell
Carney. 1t has given me great pleas
ure to serve you without knowing you.
In my catalogue of personalities you
have posed intermittently as a dem
med bouuder. 4 deceived husband,
betrayed lover. a successful lover and
lot of other things l can't just now
recall Acting on the presumption that
you might have been friend in dis
tress, worked hard in your interest.
Now discover. to my qualification.
you are perfect stranger. whom |
am proud to meet. Permit me to offer
my warmest Fluctuations and to as
sure you that Mr.. Brock will make
splendid brother-in-law." He hesitat-
ed moment and then went on: so
you are the chap that really put in
those c'nfended memorial windows
Pom me word. sir, they are the rot
tenest'-
Carney came the sharp reminder
from his wife.
81 should baye said" revised Mr..
Odell-Carney, you are the chap who
played the deuce with the building
grafters in the county council Re
markabie!"
Yes said Roxbury, striving to
grasp something of the situation as it
appeared to the other 1--WE beat them.
The bill is lost. 1t will never 60 to
the council. The subcommittee will
not recommend it. Thanks, Brock, old
man. You have saved London good
many millions. i daresay. 1t was you
xuf,n r .,ff oil