Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1913-12-03
The!
Husbands OF
Edith I i Il
. By GEORGE BARR M'CU1ChfoN
Copyright BY Dodd. Mead ( Go.
By GEORGE BARR M'CU1ChfoN
Copyright BY Dodd. Mead { Go.
CHAPTER XIV.
The ProdigaI Husband.


his temporary prison In the top
story Of the Nrol from II
O'Clock till 2. bitterly cursing the fools
who were keeping him in durance
more vile than that from which they
had generously released him. He real
ICED that it would be unwise to create
a disturbance in the house by clamor-
ing for freedom, because. in the first
place, there already had been scandal
enough, and. in the second place. his
distrustful bondsmen had promised
faithfully to seek out the devoted Con-
ME and apprise her Of his release. He
had no thought. Of course, that in the
meantime she might be duped into pay
ing bride to the guard.
Not only was he direfully cursing the
trio, but also the Anticipated Medcroft
and his own Anticipated self. 1t is to
be feared that he had harsh thoughts
Of all the Medcrofts, as far down as
Raggles. His dream of love and hap
piness had turned into a nightmare;
the comedy had become a tragic snarl
of all the effects known to melodra ma.
1t occurred to him at O'Clock that
pacing the floor In the agony Of sus-
pense was very useless occupation.
He would go to bed. Morning would
bring relief and surcease to his trou-
bled mind. Constance was doubtless
sound asleep in her room Everything
would have been explained to her long
before this hour. She would under
stand. So. with the return of his old
sophistry. he undressed and crawled
into the strange bed. Somehow he
did not like it as we'll as the cot in
the balcony below.
Just as he was dropping OF into the
long delayed slumber, he heard light
tapping at his door. He sat up in bed
like fash. thoroughly wide awake
The rapping was repeated. He called
out In cautious tones, asking who was
there, at the same time slipping from
bed to tumble in the darkness for his
clothes.
"'Sh!" came from the hallway. He
ushed over and put his ear to the
door. 1T is l. Are you awake? |
can't stay here. It's wrong. Listen
Here's a note-under the door. Good
night. darling: I'm heartbroken"
'"Thank God. it's your' he cried soft
~. "How love you, Constance!'
"'Sh! Edith is with me! Oh.
wish it were morning and could see
you. have so much to say"
Another querulous voice broke in:
"For heavens sake, Connie, don't
stand here any longer. Our reputa-
tons are bad enough as it is. Good
night-Ro1bury!' He distinctly heard
the heartless Edith giggle. Then came
the soft. quick swish of garments and
the nocturnal visitors were gone. He
picked up the envelope and, waiting
until they were safely down the hall.
turned on the light.
Dearest" he read, 1T was not my
fault and l know it was not yours.
But, oh, you don't know how l suffer-
ed all through those hours of waiting
at the cafe. They did not find me un-
til after g. They were drunk They
tried to explain. What do you think
the authorities will do to me If they
find that l gave that horrid man bride
money? Really. I'm terribly nervous.
But he won't dare say anything. will
he? He Is as guilty as /, for he took
1t. He took it knowing that you were
free at the time But we will talk it
over tomorrow. I've just got back to
the hotel. wouldn't go to bed until
Edith brought me up to hear your dear
voice. am so glad you are not dead.
1t Is impossible to release you tonight.
Those Wretches have the key. How
loathe them! Edith says the hotel is
wild with gossip about everything and
everybody. It's just awful Be of good
heart. my beloved. l will be your
faithful slave until death. With low
and alteration and kisses. Your owl
Constance.
Up. s. Roxbury has not made a sign
Edith is frantic"
Several floors below the relieved AM
ecstatic Brock. Mrs. Medcroft wa
soon urging her sister to go to be,
and, let the story go until daylight
She persisted in telling all that sh
had done and all that she had endured
1--WE must never let him know tina
we actually gave that wretch nearl
$4,000. Edith He would never forgiv
us. I admit that was fool and
ninny, so don't tell me j am. ca
see by the way you are looking tina
you're just crazy to- It's all Roxbury'
! fault, anyway. Why should he &c
up and make speech in London with
out letting us know? Just see how i
has placed us! think Mr.. Brock i
an angel to do what he has done 70
you and Roxbury. Yes. my dear, yo
will have to confess that Roxbury is
brute-a perfect brute. I'm sure, |
! you have spark of fairness in yor
you must hate him. No. no! Don
say anything, Edith. You know Ir
+ right" s.-- .;.S.. 8.
I'm not going to say anything d.
clared Edith angrily. I'm going. 1
bed ~ -. ....... 4
Edith. If you don't mind, dear, 81
think I'll sleep with you. - After mi
ment OF deep reflection she adde
pla1ntively here is so much that
just have to tell you. deary. It 4
won't keep till daylight .<5
Fright and early In the morning til
@ tired. harassed night farers were rou
( szs- 9 y - s