The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1913-09-25
The
Husbands OF
Edith
By GEORGE BARR M'CU!CHtON
Copyright BY Dodd. Mead & Go.
By GEORGE BARR M'Cu!CHfON
Copyright BY Dodd. Mead & Go.
Continued from last week
CHAPTER u.
Mrs. Medcroft.

Mrs. Medcroft.
THOR ten minutes Brock protested
his argument growing weaker
and weaker rs the true humOr
Of the project developed in his
mind He came at last to realize that
Medcroft was in earnest and that the
situation was as; serious as he pictured
1t. The Englishman's plan was unusu-
al, but it was not as rattle Drained as
it had seemed at the outset Brock
was beginning to see the possibilities
that the ruse contained. To say the
least, he would be running little or no
risk in the event Of its miscarriage In
spite Of possible unpleasant conse
Quences. there were the elements of
rare lark in the enterprise He felt
himself being skillfully guided past
the pitfalls and dangers.
81 shall insist on talking it over
thoroughly with Mrs MedcrOft before
consenting," he said In the end. If
she's being bluffed into the game I'll
revoke like dash II she's keen for
the adventure Ill go. Rox. But I've
got to see her 6rst and talk it all
over A+re
"'Pon my word. old chap. she's rip
ping. awfulIy good sort. even though l
say it myself. She's true blue. and
she'll do anything for me. You see.
Brock" and his voice grew very ten
der, ''she loves me. I'm sure of her.
There isn't nobler wife in the world
than mine Nor a prettier one either"
he concluded, with pride in his eyes
You won't be ashamed of her. You
will be proud Of the chance to point
her out as your wife. take my word
for it," Then they set out for the
Ritz.
"Roxbury." said Brock soberly when
they were in the Rue de la PAX after
walking two blocks in contemplative
silence. my peace OF mind Is poised
at the brink Of an abyss. I have
feeling that I am about to chuck it
over"
Nonsense! You'll buck up when
Edith has had fling at you"
II suppose I'm to call her Edith?"
Certainly. and I won't mind a dear
or two when it seems prOpitious. It's
rather customary. you know, even
among the unhappily married. OF
course rye always been opposed to
kissing or caressing In public. It's 80
middle class"
'And daresay Mrs. Medcroft will
object to it in private" lamented Brock
good naturediy.s = = F.sri
81 daresay." said her husband cheer
fully "She's your wife in public only.
By the way. you'll have to get used to
the name of Roxbury. Don't look
around as If you expected to find me
standing behind your back when she
says 'Roxbury, dearv shan't be
there. you know. She'll mean you.
Don't forget that"
"Oh. say" exclaimed Brock, halt
ing abruptly and staring in dismay at
the confident conspirator. Twill l have
to wear suit of clothes like that and
an eyeglass and-and-good Lord!
spatsr'
by Jove. you shall wear this very
suit" cried Medcroft. inspired. We're
of size. and it won't fit you any better
than it does me. Our clothes never at
us In London Clever idea of yours,
Brock. to think of it. And. here! Well
stop at this shop and pick up a glass.
You can have all day for practice with
it. And. | say, Brock. don't you think
you can cultivate a-er-little more Of
an English style of speech? That
twang of yours WON'T
Heavens. man. I'm to be low
comedian tOo!" gasped Brock as he was
fairly pushed on to the shop Three
minutes later they were on the side
walk. and Brock was in possession Of
an object he had scorned most of all
things in the wOrld-a monocle
Arm in arm they sauntered into the
Ritz Medcroft retained his clasp ON
his friends elbow as they went up in
the lift. after the fashion of one who
fears that his victim is, contemplating
fight AS they entered the comforta-
BILE little sitting room of the suit
young woman rose gracefully from the
desk at which she had been writing.
With perfect composure she smiled and
extended her slim hand to the Ameri-
can as he crossed the room with Med
crofTs jerky introduction dinging in
bis ears
my old friend. Brock. dear He has
consented to be your husband. You've
never met your wife. have you, old
man s A blush spread over her ex-
Quisite face.
"Oh, sRoxbury, how embarrassing!
He hasn't even proposed to me. So
giadto meet you. Mr. Brock rye been
trying to picture what you would look
like ever since R0xbr mt out to