The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1913-10-16
The
Husbands of
Edith.
By GEORGE CARR MCUTCM0N
Ceprigl, b, Dodd. Mead Z Go.
Continued from last week

you nave done 50 DeautlIully up 10
this time" she protested to the dolorous
Brock. why should you be afraid?
once read Of an Indian chief whose
name was Young Nan-Afraid-Of-H His
Wife. He was a very brave fellow in
spite Of all that. You are afraid Of
Gdith. but can't you be like the Indian?
He
That's all very nice" mourned
Brock. But he could cover his con-
fusion with war paint. Don't forget
that. my dear. Think OF the difference
in our dIsguises-war paint in daubs
versus spats and an eyegiass. Besides.
he didn't have to talk west end. Eng
lish And. moreover. he lived in wig
wan and didn't have to explain a sky
bedroom to strangers who happened
aloug"
That is a bit AWKWARD she con-
fessed thoughtfully. But can't you
say that you have insomnia and can't
sleep unless you are above the noise OF
the street,"
he looked at her with an expression
that made a verbal reply to this sug-
gestion altogether unnecessary.
Nurse says that Tootles has forgot
ten the real Roxbury,' she went on aft
er moment See how cleverly you
have played the part"
Still he stared mOodily. uneOnvtnced.
at the roadway ahead. They were
. driving In the Haupt Alice
II hope I haven't got ROxbury into
trouble by that interview l gave out
concerning the new method Of fire
prooing woodwork in Office buildings
and hotels. 1t occurred TO me after
ward that he is violently opposed to
the system. | advocated it. He'll have
. al might say devil Of a time ex-
rlaiui1g his change of front"
A matter OF fact, when Medcroft.
hiding in London. saw the reproduced
Interview in the Times. together with
editorial comments upon the extraordi-
nary attitude of supposedly conserya-
tiv4 Eagiishman of recognized ability.
he was tried almost beyond endurance.
For the next two or three days the
newspapers printed caustic contribu-
lions from fellow architects and build
ers, in each Of which the iuckless 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
chrouiclings Of the MedcrOfts in VI
enas 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 partte-
ufar time so decisively as the Vienna
interview and its undefended front.
Even his shrewdest enemy could not
have suspected Medcroft OF patience
which would permit him to ait quiet In
London while the attacks were going
on. He found some small solace In the
reflection that he could make the end
Justify the means.
Ou their return to the Bristol. Brock
aad Miss Fowler found the fair Edith
in a t,ititul state Of collapse. She de
cIared over and over again that she
could not face the Rodneys. Ii was
more than should be expected of her.
!. She WAS sure that something would go
wrong. Why-oh. why was ii neceS-
sa-v 7" deceive the Rodnays: Why
should 10y be kept in the dark? Why
wasn't I:cxbury there to counsel wise
Iy. 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. eXpostulatioR or persuasion.
II was then that Brock cruelty but eff
fectivaEy declared his intention To abdi-
cate, as he also had a reputation 70
preserve Whereupon. with fine
sens. ~ distinction she fared 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 60 on with the play II
be, the man upon whom everything
depended. was to turn tail in critical
hour like this?
How can you have the heart TO
spoil everything?- she cried indignant
IL. He looked ar her in fresh amaze
ment ..Roxburs would never forgive
you. We have both placed the utmost
confidence in you. Mr.. Brock. and
Ssh, Say. .Roxbury. dear" inter
Posed the practical Constance. The
walls may have ears. my dears."
Then Mrs. Medcroft piaintively i'm
plored his forgiveness and said that
she was miserable and ashamed and
cry unappreciative. Brock, in deep
humility, begged her pardon for his
unnecessary harshness. and promised
not to offend again.
The arst quarrel s.ried Constance