Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-08-20

SleDce, my peace Oh ulluu Is pOlSeu
at the brink of an abyss. l have a
feeling that am about to chuck IT
over"
NONSENSE. You'll buck up when
Edith has had a fling at you"
81 suppose I'm to call her Edith?"
Certainly, and won't mind dear
or two when it seems propitious. It's
rather customary, you know, even
among the unhappily married. OF
course I've always been opposed to
kissing or caressing in public. It's so
middle class"
"And I daresay Mrs. Medcroft will
object to it in private" lamented Brock
good naturally.
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 II you expected to find me
behind your back when she
says 'Roxbury, dearr I shan't be
there, you know. She'll mean you.
Don't forget that"
"Oh, I say" exclaimed Brock, halt
ing abruptly and staring in dismay at
the confident conspirator, will l have
to wear a suit of clothes like that and
an eyeglass and-and-good Lord!
spats?i
by Jove, you shall wear this very
suitw cried Medcroft, inspired. Were
of size, and it won't flt you any better
than it does me. Our clothes never fit
US in London. Clever idea of yours,
Brock. to think of 1t. And. here! We'll
stop at this shop and pick up a glass.
You can have all day for practice with
1t. And. say, Brock, don't you think
you can cultivate a-er-little more of
an English style Of specify That
twang of yours WON'T
Heavens, man, I'm to be a low
comedian toow 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 a
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
croft's jerky introduction dinging in
his ears.
MY old friend, Brock, dear. He has
consented to be your husband. You've
never met your wife. have you. old
manT A blush spread, over her ex-
quisite face.
ooh, Roxbury, how embarrassing!
He hasn't even proposed to me. So
glad to meet you, Mr.. Brock. I've been
| trying to picture what you would look
| like ever since Roxbury went out to
find you. Sit here, please. near me-
Roxbury, has Mr.. Brock really fallen
into your terrible trap? Isn't it the most
ridiculous proceeding, Mr.. Brock
Call him. Roxbury. my dear. He's
| fully prepared for it. And now let's
| get down to business. He insists upon
| talking it over with you. You don't
mind me being present, do you, Brock?
| dare say l can help you out bit
I've been married four years.
For an hour the trio discussed the
situation from all sides and in all its
! phases. When Brock arose to take his
departure, he was irrevocably commit
! ted to the enterprise. He was. more
over. completely enchanted by the vista
Of harmless fun and sweet adventure
that stretched before him. He went
away with his head full of the bril-
liant, quick witted, loyal young Amer
lean who was entering so heartily into
the plot to deceive her own friends
for the time being in order that her
husband might profit in high places
''She is ripping" he said to Medcroft
in the hallway. All of the plans had
been made and all of them had been
approved by the young wife. She had
shown wonderful perspicacity and fore
sight in the matter of details Her ca
pacity for selection and disposal was
even more comprehensive than that Of
the two men. both of whom were some
what staggered by the holiness of
more than one suggestion which came
from her fruitful. storehouse of roman
| tic ideas. She had grasped the full hui
NOR of the situation, from inception to
denouement, and to all appearance was
heart and soul deep in the venture, de-
spising the risks because she knew
that succOr was always at her ell
bow in the shape of her husbands
loyal support. There was no condi-
ton involved which could not be ex-
planned to her credit; adequate com
pensation FOR the merry sacrifice was
20 be had in the brief detachment from
rigid English conventionality. in the
hazardous injection of quixotism into
an otherwise overly healthful life of
! platitudes. Society had become the
sepulcher of youthful Inspirations She
welcomed the resurrection. The ex-
quisite delicacy with which she ana
lyzed the cost and computed the in.
tereSt won for her the warmest regard
of her husbands friend, fellow con.
spirator in a plot which involved the
subtlest test of loyalty and honor
YES" said Medcroft simply. You
won't have reason to change your opin-