Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1913-11-13

Odell-Carney sent his wife to Edith.
A few minutes later, as he was making
his way to the Office. he came upon
Mrs. Rodney and Katherine. hurrying.
white faced, to their rooms.
ooh, isn't it %dreadful?" walled the
former. putting her clinched hands to
her temples.
isn't wot dreadful?" demanded he
brutally.
"About Edith! They're going to ar
rest her."
"Not if I can help it. madam. Where
is Mr.. R%odney?"
He hasn't anything to do with it!
We're as innocent as children unborn.
It's all shocking to us. Mr.. Rodney
shouldn't be arrested. His rectitude is
without a flaw. For heavens sake.
don't implicate him. Hes
MADAM, I'm not a policeman" said
Odell-Carney with scathing dignity. 81
want your husband to aid me in hush
ing this %c'nfended thing"
He started away as Mr.. Rodney
came putting up the stairs. Odell-Car-
ney changed his mind and waited.
"Where's Edith?" painted Mr.. Rod
ney.
Good heavens" groaned his wife.
lowering her voice because three cham
bermaids were looking on from a near
by turn. Don't mention that crea-
lures name, Just think what she's got
us into. He isn't her husband. Alfred.
telephone for tickets on tonight's train.
Tomorrow will. be too late. I won't
stay here another minute. Everybody
in the hotel is talking. Well all be ar
rested"
But Mr.. Rodney, for once. was the
head of the family. He faced her
sternly.
go to your rooms. both of you.
Well stay here until this thing is end
ed. I don't give a hang what she's
done. IN not going to desert her"
"But-but he isn't her husband.'
gasped Mrs. Rodney. struck dumb by
this amazing rebellion.
But she's your cousin. isn't she,
madam" he retorted with fierce irony.
81 disown her." walled his wife, sans
raison
go to your rooms"!" stormed pudgy
Mr.. Rodney. Then. as they skunk
away. he turned to the approving
Odell-Carney, sticking out his chest a
trife in his new found authority. II
say. Carney, what's to be done next?"
"Well have a drink first and then
see," he said.
AS they were entering the buffet Il
CHEEKY voice accosted them from be-
hind. Freddie Ulstervelt came up, real
distress in his face.
Il say, count me in on this. I'll buy,
if l may. I've just heard the news
from the door porter. Beastly shame,
isn't it? l had Mile. LIE Brun over to
hear the band concert-she's related to
that painter woman, by the way; I
told Katherine she was. Say, gentle
men. We'll stand by Mrs. Medcroft,
won't we? Count me in. If it's any
thing that money can square I'm here
with a letter Of credit six figures long,
Join US" said Odell-Carney warmly.
You're a good sort. after ALL"
They sat down at IA table. Freddie
stood between them. ii hand on the
shoulder of each. Very seriously he
was saying:
II say, gentlemen, we can't abandon
a woman at a time like this. We must
stand together. All true sports and
black sheep should stand together.
don't you know"
1t is possible that Odell-Carney ap-
preciated the subtlety Of this compli-
ment. Not so Mr.. Rodney.
Sports? Black sheep? Upon my
soul. sir, l don't understand you he
mumbled. Mr.. Rodney. although he
hailed from Seattle, had never known
anything but a clean and unrumpled
conscience.
Freddie clapped him jovially on the
shoulder. It's all right. Mr.. Rodney.
III take your word for it. But If we
are black sheep we shan't be black
guards. Well stand by the ship.
What's to be done? Bail 'em out?'
Mrs. Medcroft despite Mrs. Odell-
Carney's friendly offices refused point
blank to discuss the situation. She did
not dare to do or say anything as yet.
Her husband had not telegraphed the
word releasing her from the sorry COM
pact She loyalty decided to stand by
the agreement no matter what the cost
until she received word from London
that he had triumphed or failed in his
brave fight against the ''bloodsuckers.'
Il will explain tomorrow. dear Mrs.
Odell-Carney," she pleaded. Don't
press me now, Everything shall be all
right. Oh. how ! wish Constance were
here! She understands. But she's Off
listening to silly love talk and doesn't
even care what happens to me, Rur.