Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1913-10-02
. upon me

udt! ittltuuf vi IL Siln)oSpUi. COuSS
tive EngliSlmna OF recognized ability.
he was tried almost beyond endurance.
For the next two or three days the
newspapers printed caustic contribu-
tons from fellow architects and build
ers, in each of which the luckless Med
croft was taken to task for advocating
an impractical and famous New York
hobby in the way of construction. some
thing that staid old London would not
even tolerate or discuss. The social
chroniclingS of the Medcrofts in vi
emma as dispatched by the correspond
ents offset this unhappy bull" to some
extent in so far as Medcroft's peace Of
mind was concerned. but nothing could
have drawn attention to the fact that
he was not in London at that partic-
ular time so deciSively as the Vienna
interview and its undefended front
Even his s~hrewdeSt enemy could not
have suspected Medcroft Of a patience
which would permit him to sit quiet in
London while the attacks We're going
on. He found some small solace in the
reflection that he could make the end
Justify the means.
On their return to the Bristol. Brock
and Miss Fowler found the fair Edith
in a pitiful state Of collapse. She de-
clared over and over again that she
could not face the Rodneys. 1t was
more than should be expected Of her.
She was sure that something would go
wrong. Why-oh. why was it neces-
sary to deceive the Rodneys? Why
should they be kept in the dark? Why
wasn't Roxbury there to counsel wise
ly. and more. ad infnitum. until the
distracted pair We're on the point Of
deserving the cause. She finally dis
solved into tears. and would not listen
to reason. expostulation or persuasion.
1t was then that Brock cruelty but eff
fectively declared his intention to abdi-
cate, as he also had a reputation to
preserve. Whereupon. with a fine
sense Of distinction she fared up and
accused him Of t%reachery to his best
friend. Roxbury Medcroft, who was re-
posing the utmost confidence in his
friendship and loyalty. How could she
be expected to go on with the play If
he. the man upon whom everything
depended. was to turn tail in a critical
hour like this?
"How can you have the heart to
spoil everything?' she cried indignant
ly. He looked at her in fresh amaze
ment. "Roxbury would never forgive
you. We have both placed the utmost
confidence in you. Mr.. Brock. and"-
"'Sh! Say, 'Roxbury, dear" inter
posed the practical Constance. THE
walls nay have ears. my dears."
Then Mrs. Medcroft plaintively i'm
plored his forgiveness and said that
she was miserable and ashamed and
very unappreciative. Brock. in deep
humility. begged her pardon for his
unnecessary %harshness. and promised
not to offend again.
'"The first quarrel" cried Constance
delightedly. How nicely you've made
it up. And you've Deer married less
than a week.
"RoXbury and | didn't have our first
quarrel until we'd been married a
year" said Edith refectively.
"Oh. | say. Edith" exclaimed Brock,
with a dark frown. "I'd rather YOU
wouldn't be forever eStolling the good
qualities of my predecessor. It's very
bad taste. Very much like the pies
mother used to make"
silly" cried Medcroft's wife, now
in fine humor.
Besides. Rox is an Englishman. It
would take him a year to produce a
quarrel. The American husband is not
so COMPOUNDED slow. l won't live up
10 Roxbury in everything"
1t was decided that Constance should
greet the Rodneys upon their arrival.
The Medcrofts were not to appear un-
til dinner time. Afterward the entire
party would attend the opera, which
was then in the closing week. Brock
with splendid p%rodigality had taken IL
box for the ena! performance ~
Tristan und Isolde" 1t is not out VI
place to remark that Brock loathed
the Wagnerian opera. He vas of
THE Mikado" cult. He took the seats
with a definite purpose in mind to cast
the burden of responsibility upon his
wife, who would be forced to extend
herself in the capacity of hostess. CIV
ing him the much needed opportunity
to secure safe footing in the dark area
of uncertainty. He believed himself
capable Of diverting the youthful Miss
Rodney and his discreet sister-in-law,
but he was consumed by an unholy
dread Of Rodney pere. Something told
him that this shrewd American bust
ness mar was not the kind who would
have the wool pulled over his eyes by
any one. Brock felt that the support
Of Constance was Of greater value
than that Of Edith at n stage or In
any emergency.
Besides. he was now quite palpably
in love with her. I've got it bad!' he
reflected in sober consideration Of his
plight: but came the ironic justiica-
ton. Pm able to ronfine it to the i'm
mediate family. That's more than
most husbands can say"