New Ulm review., 1913-11-12
CHAPTER x,.
Other Relations.

80 much 80, In fact, that she made 1t a
point to have some one else with her
whenever she seemed likely to be left
alone with him. The Rodneys strug-
gled bravely and no doubt consclen-
t1ously to emulate the example set by
the Odell- Carneys. but 1t was hardly
to be expected that they could see new
things through old world eyes. They
grew very stifr and ceremonious-that
10, the Rodney ladies did. It was their
prerogative. Of course. Were they not
cousins Of the Medcrofts1 :
-Four or Ave days Of uneasy pretense
passed with q swiftness that irritated
certain members Of the party and .
slowness that distressed tho otheFA
Days never were % short % those
which the now rscklsssiy infatuated
Brock was spending. He was valiant.
y earning his way into the heart Of
Constance, process that trisd his pa.
dsnce exceedingly, for che was blithely
uuimpressionable II one were to 1udgs
BY the calmness with which she Tended
OF the inevitable though tardy assault
She kept him at arms length. Ap-
pearances demanded discreetnes0 NO
matter how she may secretly have felt
toward the good looking husband Of
her sister. To say that she was enjoy
ing herself would be putting It much
too tamely. She was reveling in the
fun Of the thing. It mattered little to
her that people. her own cousins In
particular. were looking upon her with
cold and critical eyes. She knew down
In her heart that she could throw a
bomb among them at any time by the
mere utterance of single word. It
mattered as little that Edith waB be.
ginning to chafe miserably under the
strain Of waiting and deception. The
novelty had worn OF for the wife Of
Roxbury. She was despairingly In
love, and she was pining for the day to
come when she could laugh again with
real instead of simulated joyousness.
"Connie, DEAR" she would lament
dozen times day. ''it's growing un-
bearable. oh. how wish the three
weeks were ended. Then could have
my Roxbury, and you could have my
other Roxbury, and everybody wouldn't
be plying me and cavilling at you be-
cause I'm unhappily married."
"Why do you say l could have your
other Roxbury?' demanded her sister
on one occasion. "You forget father
expects me to marry the viscount. r.
"You are so tiresome. Connie. Don't
worry me with your love affalrs-1
don't want to hear them. There's Mr..
Brock waiting for you in the garden"
II know it. my dear. He's been
waiting for an hour. I.think it is good
for him to watt" said the other. with
airy confidence "What does Roxy say
in his letter this mornIngT'
HE says it will all be over in a day
or two. Dear me. how l wish it were
over now! I can't endure Cousin
Mary's snippishness much longer, and
as for Katherine! My dear Iahate
that grip
"She's been very nice lately, Edith
ever since Freddie dropped me so COM
pletely. BY the way, Burton was tell
ing me today that Odell-Carney had +!
been asking her some very curious
and staggering questions about Tootles !
and your most private affairs"
II know. my DEAR" groaned Edith.
HE very politely remarked to me
last night that Tootles made him think
very strangely of friend Of his in
London. He wouldn't mention the fel-
ow's name He only smiled and said.
Nevah mind, my dear, he's c'nfend-
I'd handsome dog daresay he meant
hat as compliment for Tootles. She
s pretty. don't you think so. dearY'
"She's just like you. Edith" said
who understood things
luite clearly.
"Then, in heavens name, Connie.
Why are they staring at her so i'm
'olitely-all Of them?'
"1t's because she is so pretty. Good
less. Edith. don't let every little thing
worry you. You'll have wrinkles and
ray hairs soon enough"
'It's all very nice for you to talk"
'rumbled Edith. I'm going mad with
oneliness. You have q lover near you
II the time-he's mad about you
What have I? I'm utterly alone. No
ne loves memo. not a soul"-
"You won't let them love you. Edith"
aid Constance jauntily. "They all
7ant to love you, all of them"
81 hate men," announced Mrs. Med.
roft retrospectively.
Developments Of most refractory
haracter swooped down upon them at
he very end Of the sojourn In Inns
ruck. Every one had begun to rejoice