Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1913-09-25
CHAP II-CONTINuED.

ll-CONTINUED
every n seemed to be staring at
him. He heard more than one Ameri-
can in the scurrying throng say to an
other. English" and he felt relieved
until an Englishman or two upset his
confidence by brutally abiding to him
as a COMPOUNDED American toady."
1t was quite train time before Mrs.
Medcroft was seer hurrying in from
the carriage way, pursued by a trio of
facteurs laden with bags and boxes.
Don't shake hands," she warned i IN
a quick whisper as they came together.
II recognized you by the clothes"
Thank God. it wasn't my face!' he
cried. Are your trunks checked?'
Yes. this afternoon. have nothing
but Ii bags. You have the tickets?
Then let us get aboard. I just couldn't
get here earlier" she whispered guilt
lily. I'VE had to say goodby. you know.
Poor old Roxy! How he hated it! I
sent Burton and O'Brien on ahead OF
me. MY sister brought them here in
her carriage. and l dare say they're
aboard and abed by this time. You
didn't see them? But, Of course, you
wouldn't know my maids. How stupid
Of me: Don't be alarmed. They have
their instructions. Roxbury. Doesn't it
sound odd to you?"
Brock was icy cold with apprehen-
sion as they walked down the line of
wagons Its in the wake of the bag bear
ers. Mrs. Medcroft was as self pos
sessed and as degagee as be was i'll at
ease and awkward. AS they ascended
the steps of the carriage she turned
back to him. and said with the most
malicious twinkle in her eyes:
Pm not a bit nervous"
But you've been married so much
longer than | have" he responded.
Then came the disposition Of the bags
and parcels. She calmly directed the
9orters to put the overflow into the up
per berth. The garde came up to re-
monstrate in his most rapid French.
But where is m'sieur to sleep if the
bags go up there?" he argued.
Mrs. Medcroft dropped her toilet bag
and turned to Brock with startled eyes.
her lips parted. He was standing in
the passage, his wv bags at his feet,
an aroused CLEAN in his eyes. A deep
flush overspread his face. An express
sion of utter rout succeeded the buoy
ancy Of the moment before.
Really" she murmured and could
go no further. The lOveliest pucker
came into her face. Brock waved the
garde aside.
Its all right" he explained. II
shan't occupy the-l mean. III take
one Of the other compartments" AS
the garde opened his lips to protest she
drew Brock inside the compartment
and closed the door. Mrs. Medcroft
was agitated.
"Oh. what a wretched contretemps!'
she cried in despair. Roxy has made
a frightful mess Of it. after all. He
has not taken a compartment for you.
I'm-I'm afraid you'll have to take this
one and-and let me go in with
.'Nonsense!" he broke in. Nothing
Of the sort! I'll find a bed, never fear.
I daresay there's plenty Of room on
the train. You shan't sleep with the
servants. And don't lie awake blam-
ing poor old Rox. He's lonesome and
unhappy. and he
.But he has a place to Sleep" she
lamented. I'm so sorry. Mr.. Brock!
It's perfectly horrid, and I'm-Im
dreadfully afraid you won't be able to
get a berth. Roxbury tried yesterday
for n lower for himself"
"And h~a-cOuldn't ref One?"
"No, Mr.. Brock. But III ask the
maids to give up their
"Plense. please don't worry, and
Meas" don't call me- Mr. Rrnrk ! hot"