Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1913-10-23

sition Pm in"
My dear RoXbury," quite severely.
IF there's nothing else that will infu-
ence you. just stop to consider the
che-ild! There's Tootles. dear Tootles,
to think Of"
OF course Mrs. Odell-C Carney could
not be expected to know that Edith
was blithely testing.
MY dear Edith" he said Just as
firmly, "Tootles has nothing to do with
the case. You know. and Constance
knows. and l know. and the whole
world will soon know that Pm not
eve related to her. poor little beggar.
don't see why she should come be-
tween me and happiness just because
she happens to bear a social resem-
blance to a man who isn't her father.
Come, now. let's talk wei the situation
sensibly."
Just then they passed beyond the
nearing OF the astonished eavesdrop-
per. Good heaven. what was this?
Not his child? Two minutes later Mrs.
Odell-Carney was back at the spring
where they had left her somnolent hus-
band. who had refused to climb a hill
because all of his breath was required
to smoke a cigarette.
Carney" she said sternly. her lips
rigid. her eyes set hard upon his face,
how long have the Medcrofts been
married?"
He blinked heavily. How the devil
should l know? Pom me word, it's
-Four years, 1 think Mrs. Rodney
told me. How old is that baby?'
"'Pon me soul, Agatha, Pm as much
in the dark as you. 1 don't know"
"A little over a year, I'd say. Well.
l just heard Medcroft say that she
wasn't his child. Whose is it," She
stood there like an accusing angel. He
started violently, and his jaw dropped.
An expression Of alarmed protest leap
ed into his listless eyes.
"Pon my word. Agatha, how the
devil should l know? Don't look at
me like that. Give you my word Of
honor, I don't know the woman. Pom
me soul, l don't, my dear"
-S "oo FO1t huSu IL EARLIEST, LuOI.
oughly aroused by what seemed to be
a direct ~insinuation.
"Oh, don't be stupid" she cried.
Good heavens. car there be a scandal
in that lovely woman's life?"
"There's never any scandal in q wo-
mans life unless she's reasonably
lovely" remarked he.
Whose child is she, if she isn't Med
croft's?" she pursued with a perplexed
frown.
"Demme, Agatha, don't ask me-" he
said irritably, passing his hand owe
his brow. 1--WE told you that twice.
Ask them: 1 dare say they know"
She looked at him in disgust. Gas if
l could do such a thing as that! Dear
me. I don't understand it at all. -Four
years married. Yes. I'm sure that's it.
Carney. you don't suppose She
hesitated. It was not necessary to
complete the obvious question.
Agatha" said he. weighing his re-
mark carefully, 1--WE said all along
that Medcroft is a fool. Take those
windows. for instance. If he"-
ooh. rubbish! What have the win
dows to do with it? You are positive
ly stupid. And I'd come to like her
too. Yes. I'd " asked her to come
and see. me-" She was really dis
tressed.
"And why not?' he demanded. Hang
it all. Agatha. it's nothing unusual.
She's a jolly good sort and a sight too
good for Medcroft. He's a stupid ass.
I've said so all along. How the devil
she I've married him I can't see. But.
by Jove, Agatha. 1 can readily see how
she might have loved the father Of
this child. no matter who be is. Take
my advice. my dear. and don't be harsh
in your judgment. Don't say a word
about what you've heard. If they arc
reconciled to the-er-the situation.
why the devil should we give a hang?
And. above all. don't let these Rod
neys suspect Here he lowered his
voice gradually. They're a pack Of
rotters and they couldn't understand.
They'd cut her. even if she Is a cousin
or whatever it is. I'd give Il year or
two Of my life to know positively
whether Rodney intends taking those
shares or not" He said it in contem-
plative delight in what he would do II
it were definitely settled. ~ can't
stand them much longer"
"Wha great variety Of Americans
there are-!' she reflected. Mrs. Med
croft and her sister are Americans.
Compare them with the Rodneys and
Mr.. Ulstervelt. No. Carney. I'll not
start a scandal, The ROdneys would
not understand. as you say. They'd
tear her to shreds and gloat owe the
mutilation. No. well have her to see
us In London. I like her"
""And by love. Agatha. ! like her sis
ter