The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1913-09-11

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 yer again that he
could not face the Rodneys. 1t w.
more than should be expected Of her
She was sure that something would go
wrong. Why-oh, why was 1t 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 infinitum, until the
distracted pair were on the point of
deserving the cause. She finally dis
solved into tears. and would not listen
to reason, expostulatlon or persuasion.
1t was then that Brock cruelty but eff
f~ectively declared his intention to abdi-
cate, as he also had a reputation to
preserve. Whereupon. with a fine
sense of distinction she fiared up and
accused him Of treachery 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 II
he, the a upon whom everything
depended, was to turn tail in a critical
hour like this2
"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. 1.-THE
walls may 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
1t up. And you've been married less
than a week!s
"Roxbury and | didn't have our first
quarrel until we'd been married a
year." said Edith refiectively.
"Oh. | say. Edith" exclaimed Brock.
with a dark frown. "Pd rather you
wouldn't be forever extolling 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. 1t
would take him a year to produce a
quarrel. The American husband is not
so COMPOUNDED slow. 1 won't live up
to Roxbury in everything"
1t was decided that Constance should
greet the Rodneys upon their arrival.
The Medcrofts were not to appear III
til dinner time. Afterward the entire
party would attend the opera. which
was then In the closing week. Brock
with splendid prodigality had taken a
box for the final performance of
Tristan und Isolde" 1t is not out Of
place to remark that Brock loathed
the Wagnerian opera. He was of
1.-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 ecu 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 man 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 any stage or in
any emergency.
Besides. he was now quite palpably
In love with her. 1--WE got Il bad!' he
reflected In sober consideration Of his
plight; "but," came the ironic justifca-
ton. 'Tm able to conflne It to the i'm
mediate family. That's more than
most husbands can say"