The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1913-11-06

o'clock till .. bitterly cursing the fools
who were keeping him In durance
more vile than that from which they
had generously released him He real
lied that it would be unwise to create
a disturbance i'm the house by clamor-
ing for freedom. because, in the first
place, there already had been scandal
enough, and, in the second place. his
diStruStful bondsmen had promised
faithfully to seek out the devoted Con-
ME and apprise her of his release. He
had no thought. Of course. that In the
meantime she might be duped into pay
ing a bride to the guard.
Not only was he direfully cursing the
trio, but also the Anticipated Medcroft
and his WI Anticipated self. 1t Is to
be feared that he had harsh thoughts
Of all the Medcrofts. as far down as
Raggles. His dream Of love and hap
piness had turned into a nightmare;
the comedy had become a tragic snarl
of all the effects known to melodrama.
1t occurred to him at 2 o'clock that
pacing the floor in the agony Of sus-
pense was a very useless occupation.
He would go to bed. Morning would
bring relief and surcease to his trou-
bled mind. Constance was doubtless
sound asleep in her room. Everything
would have been explained to her long
before this hour. She would under
stand. So. with the return Of his old
sophistry. he undressed and crawled
into the strange bed. Somehow he
did not like 1t as well as the cot in
the balcony below.
Just as he was dropping of into the
long delayed slumber. he heard a light
tapping at his door. He sat up in bed
like a fash. thoroughly wide awake.
The rapping was repeated. He called
out in cautious tones. asking. who was
there, at the same time slipping from
bed to tumble in the darkness for his
clothes.
"'Sh." came from the hallway. He
rushed over and put his a to the
door. 1T is I. Are you awake? |
can't stay here. It's wrong. Listen
Here's a note-under the door. Good
night. darling. I'm heartbroken."
"Thank God, it's your he cried soft
ly. "How | love you, Constance"
"'Sh! Edith is with me! Oh. I
wish it were morning and | could see
you. | have so much to say"
Another Querulous voice broke in:
For heavens sake. Connie, don't
stand here any longer. Our reputa-
tons are bad enough as it Is. Good
night-Roxbury!" He distinctly heard
the heartless Edith giggle. Then came
the soft. quick swish Of garments and
the nocturnal visitors were gone. He
picked up the envelope and. waiting
until they were safely down the hall,
turned on the light.
Dearest" he read. ut was not my
fault and | know it was not yours.
But. oh, you don't know how ! suffer
ID all through those hours Of waiting
at the cafe. They did not find me un-
til after .. They were drunk. They
tried to explain. What do you think
the authorities will do to me If they
find that | gave that horrid man bride
money? Really. I'm terribly nervous
But he won't dare say anything. will
he? He is as guilty as /. for he tool
1t. He took ii knowing that you were
free at the time. But we will talk 1t
over tomorrow. I've just got back to
the hotel. | wouldn't go to bed until
Edith brought me up to hear your dear
voice. | am so glad you are not dead.
1t Is impossible to release you tonight
Those wretches have the key. How !
loathe them. Edith say the hotel is
wild with gossip about everything and
everybody. It's just awful. BE Of good
heart, my beloved. will be your
faithful slave until death. With love
and alteration and kisses. Your own
Constance.
"P. s. Roxbury has not made a sign.
Edith is frantic"
Several floors below the relieved and
ecstatic Brock. Mrs. Medcroft was
soon urging her sister to go to bed
and let the story go until daylight.
She persisted in telling all that she
had done and all that shS had endured
1--WE must never let him know that
we actually gave that wretch nearly
$4,000, Edith He would never forgive
US. I admit that ] was a fool and a
ninny. so don't tell me ! am. ! can
see by the way you are looking that
you're just crazy to It's all Roxbury's
fault. anyway. Why should he get
up and make a speech in London with
cut letting us know Just see how ii
has placed us. | think Mr.. Brock Is
an angel to do what he has done for
you and Roxbury. Yes. my dear, you
will have to confess that Roxbury Is q