The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1913-09-04

But the day Of severest trial was now
at hand. The Rodneys were arriving
on the fifth day from Berlin. Despite
the fact that the Seattle connections
had never seen the illustriouS Med
croft. husband to their distant cousin.
there still remained the disturbing fear
that they would recognize-or, rather,
fail to recognize %him!-from chance pic
lures that might have come to their
notice. Besides, there was always the
possibility that they had seen or even
met Brock In New York. He lugubri-
ously admitted that he had met un-
fortunate thousands whom he had
promptly forgotten, but who seldom
failed to remember him. 1t is not sur
prising. then, that the Medcrofts, eX
parte, were in n state of perturbation
a condition which did not relax In the
least as the time drew nea for the ar
rival of the 5 o'clock train from the
north. Constance strove faithfully,
even valiantly, to inject confidence into
the souls of the prime conspirators.
"You have done so beautifully up to
this time" she protested to the dolorous
Brock, why should you be afraid? |
once read Of an Indian chief whose
name was Observation-Disclosures
Wife. He was a very brave fellow in
spite of all that. You are afraid Of
Edith, 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 eyeglass! Besides.
he didn't have to talk west end Eng
fish. And. moreover. he lived in q wig
wan and didn't have to explain a sky
bedroom to strangers who happened
along"
THAT is a bit awkward" she con-
fessed t~houghtfully. But can't you
say hat 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 n verbal reply to this sug-
gestion altogether unnecessary.
Nurse says that Tootles has forgot
ten the real Roxbury," she went on aft
er a moment. See how cleverly you
have played the part"
Still he stared modify, unconvinced.
Mt the roadway ahead. They were
driving In the Haupt Alice.
Il hope ! haven't got RoXbury into
trouble by that interview | gave out
concerning the new method Of fire
proofng woodwork in office buildings
and hotels. 1t occurred to me after
ward that he is violently opposed to
the system. I advocated it. He'll have
al might say Il devil Of a time ex-
planning his change Of front"
AS q 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 a supposedly conserva-
tive Englishman 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 luckless 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
chroniclings Of the Medcrofts In VI
emma as dispatched by the correspond
ents Offset this unhappy bull" to some
extent I'm 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 partic-
ular time SO decisively as the Vienna
interview and its undefended front.
Even his shrewdest enemy could not
have suspected Medcroft Of n patience
which would permit him IL sit 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 a
ITO BE CONTINUED