The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1913-10-02


stance was the most disturbing symp-
tom In evidence. jealousy succeeded
speculation. Katherine decided to be
hateful. She could not have helped 1t
II she had tried.
1t was very evident. to her at least,
that Freddie was not to blame. He
was being led or by the artful Miss
Fowler. There could be no doubt Of
it-nOne IN the least. declared Miss
Rodney in the privacy of her W mis-
cradle reflections.
Just as she was on the point of car
rytr2 her woes to her mother an
astounding revelation came to her out
Of u clear sky: on entirely new condi-
ton came into the problem. 1t dawned
upon her suddenly. without warning.
that Roxbury Medcroft was In love
with his sister-in-law.
When she burst In upon her mother
half an hour later that excellent lady
started up from her couch. alarmed by
the excitement In her daughters face,
Mrs. Rodney. good soul. was one Of
the kind who always think the world
Is coming to an end. or the house Ia
on fire. or the king has been assassinat-
ed. II any one approaches with a look
Of distress in his face.
my dear, my dear!" she cried as
Katherine stopped tragically In the
doorway. What has happened to your
father? Speak,"
Mamma, it's worse than that! r.
"Merciful heaven!' The good lady
blindly reached for her smelling salts.
ave made a dreadful discovery"
went on Katherine in suppressed tones
at came to me like n fash. | couldn't
believe my w brain. So | watched
them from my window. There's no
doubt about 1t, mamma. It's as plain
as the nose on your face. He
"My darling. what are you talking
about? Is my nose-what Is the mat
ter with my nose?" She vaguely felt
Of her nose, I'm horror.
Hes in love with her. There's no
mistake. And, will you believe me.
mamma. she Is encouraging him! Pos
itively! Why-why, It's utterly con-
temptible! Oh. dear. what are we
to dOT"
Mrs. Rodney looked blankly at her
daughter. who had thrown herself In
a chair. She gasped and then gave
vent to a tremendous squeak.
I'm love! Your fatherf With whom
who is sheT'
Father? Oh, Lord, mother, / didn't
say anything about father. Don't cry!
It's another man altogether"
Not Freddie UlsterveltT quavered
Mrs. Rodney. pulling herself together.
After all he has said to you
mo. no, mamma" cried her daugh-
ter irritably. Freddie may be in love
with her, but he's not the only one.
Mamma!' She Strengthened up and
looked at her mother with wide, horror
struck Y "Roxbury Medcroft Is
madly in love with Constance Fowler!'
Mrs. Rodney did not utter a sound
FOR fully a minute and a half. She v
er took her eyes from her daughters
distressed face. The color was coming
back into her own. and her lips were
setting themselves into thin red lines
above her rigid chin.
I'm sorry. Katherine. that you have
seen It too. l. have suspected It for
several days. But l have not dared to
speak-it seemed too improbable. What
are we to do" She sat down sudden
ly, wen weakly.
She's not only leading Freddie. on.
but she's flirting with her own broth
orin-law-her own sisters husband
aer-her"-
Her own niece's father! It's afro
ciousv'
She's a horrid beast! And I thought
I loved her. Oh. mamma. it's just
DREADFUL"
katherine, control yourself. ! will
not have you upsetting yourself like
this. You'll have another Of those aw-
full headache Leave It all to me,
dear. Something must be done. We
can't stand by and see dear Edith be-
trayed. She's so happy and SO trust
ing. And, besides all that, we'd be
dragged into the scandal. r.
"And the Odell-Carneys too. Heav-
ens!"
1T must be stopped! ] shall go at
once to Mrs. Odell-Carney and tell her
what we have discovered. 1t Will pre-
pare her. She is the best friend ! have.
and I know she will suggest a way to
put a stop to this thing before It Ii
too late. We must
why don't you speak to father
about It first?"
"Your father! My dear. what would
be the user He wouldn't believe 1t
He never does wonder II dear Mrs
Odell-Carney is in her ROOM The es-
Unable lady futtered loosely toward
the door. Her daughter called to her.
III I were you I'd wait q day or
two, mamma" She was quite cool