The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1913-09-25
Copyright BY Dodd. Mead & Go.

I'VE must know each other better,
my dear Mrs. Medcroft," she had said
amiably. Edith thought of the famous
dra wing rooms in Mayfair and exult.
ed vastly. And Mr.. Medcroft too
| am so interested in men who have a
craft. They always are worth wnrTe
really, don't you know. How like an
American Mr.. Medcroft Is! | daresay
he gets that from having lived so long
with an American wife. And what a
Mr.. Medcroft. don't you think? No
one could mistake that child's father
never!'
Edith may have gasped and looked
wildly about in quest of help, but her
agitation went unnoticed by the new
friend. From that momentous hour
Mrs. Medcroft encouraged an inOrdi-
nate regard for the circumspect. She
decided that 1t was best never to be
alone with her husband. The future
was now too precious to go u%nguarded
for a single moment that might be I'M
explainable when the triumphal hour
Of revelation came to hand. She inn
pressed this fact upon her sister, with
the result that, while Brock was never
alone with his prudent wife, he was
seldom far from the side Of the adora-
BILE lieutenant. AS If p~recociously pro-
viding for an ultimate alibi, the tickle
Tootles began to show unmistakable
signs Of aversion for her temporary
parent.
Mrs. Rodney. being quite an old
fashioned mother, could not reconcile
herself to this unflial attitude and
gravely confided to her husband that
she feared Medcroft was ~mistreatiIlg
his child behind their backs.
"Well, the poodle likes him anyway"
protested Mr.. Rodney, who liked
Brock, land If a dog likes a nan he's
not altogether a bad lot. II | were
you I wouldn't spread the report"
"Spread it," she shifted Indignantly
Are they not my own cousins? Twice
removed" she concluded as an after
thought. "Do you imagine that !
would spread 1t? He may be an I'm
natural father. but l shall not be the
one to say so. Please bear that in
mind. Alfred"
"Well, let's not argue about It," said
Mr.. Rodney, departing before she could
disobey the injunction.
OF course. there was no little con
fusion at the Hotel Ty-ol when II
came to establishing the Medcrofts.
For awhile 1t looked as though Brock
would have to share a room with Too
ties, RELOCATING Burton to an alcove
and a couch. but Constance, In a strict,
~ family conclave, was seized by an
inspiration which saved the day-or
the night. more properly speaking.
81 have 1t. Roxbury," she cried, her
eyes dancing. You can sleep on the
balcony. A great many invalids do,
you know"
But, good heaTen, I'm not an inva.
i'd" he demonstrated feebly.
"Of course you're not, but can't you
say you are? It's quite simple. You
sleep in the open air because 1t does
your lungs so much good. Oh. but
know! 1t isn't necessary to expand
your chest like that They're perfect.
ly sound. l daresay. I should think
you'd rather enjoy the fresh air. Be
sides. there isn't q room to he had in
the hotel"
But suppose 1t should rain.' he pro
tested. knowing full well he was
doomed.
"You poor boy, haven't o an um.
brella?" she cried with such a per
fectly enhancing laugh that he would
have slept out In a hailstorm to pro
vide recompense. And so 1t was set
tied that he was to sleep in the small
balcony just Off the baby's luxurious
room, the hotel people agreeing tc
place a cot there at night in order tc
oblige the unfortunate guest with the
affected lung.
you are s dear and so agreeable
Roxbury," purred Mrs. Medcroft. very
much relieved. "Tf ever hear OF
girl looking for a nice husband ri
recommend you"
us all Very NICE" said he with 8
wry grin. but I'm hanged II | ought
to be expected to remember all Of my
accomplishments" They were sitting
In her room. attended by the faithful
duenna. Constance. First. the eye
glass. then the English language. Will
which ] find I'm most unfamiliar
then a deafness in one Of M ears
can't remember which until it's too
late, and now I'm to be a tubercular
You've no idea how hard 1t Is for me
to speak English against Odell-C Carney
I'm an out and out amateur beside
him. And it's horribly annoying t.
have U~lstervelt shouting in my ca
loud enough for everybody In the din
Ing room to hear. It's rich. I tell you
and II ! didn't love you 80 deyotedly
/ Edith. I'd he on NV wav NJ fhte vor,