Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1913-09-24

he
Husbands Of.
Edith
By GEORGE BARR M'CUTCnEON
Copyright by Dodd. Mead { Co.
By GEORGE BARR M'CUTChEON
Copyright BY Dodd. Mead { Go.
CHAPTER II.
Mrs. Medcroft.

and weaker rs the true humor
Of the project developed In his
mind He came ut last to realize that
Medcroft was in earnest and that the
situation was as serious rs he pictured
It. The Englishman's plan was unusu-
al, but 1t was not as rattle Drained as
1t 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.
II shall insist on talking it over
thoroughly with Mrs Medcroft before
consenting," he said In the end. If
she's being blnffed into the game III
revoke like fash. Ii she's keen for
the adventure I'll go, Rox. But I've
got to see her hrst and talk it all
over
"'Pon my word, old chap. she's rip
ping, awfully good sort, even though
say it myself. She's true blue, and
she'll do anything for me. You Sec
Brock" and his voice grew very ten
der, ''she loves me. I'm sure Of her.
There isn't a nobler wife in the world
than mine. Nor 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 Paix after
walking two blocks in contemplative
silence, my peace Of mind is poised
at the brink Of an abyss I have q
feeling that am about to chuck it
over"
NONSENSE! Youth buck up when
Edith has had fling at you"
II 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 80
middle class"
"And I daresay Mrs. Medcroft will
object to it In private" lamented Brock
good naturally.
Il 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. l say" exclaimed Brock, halt
ing abruptly and staring In dismay at
the confident conspirator, Twill l have
to wear a suit Of clothes like that and
an eyeglass and-and-good Lord!
spatsy'
by Jove. you shall wear this very
suit!' cried Medcroft. inspired. "We're
Of a size, and 1t 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 it. And, here! Wen
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 speech? That
twang of yours WON'T
"Heavens, man, I'm to be q low
comedian tool" 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 word-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 q
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
man?'' A blush spread over her ex
quisite face.
"Oh, 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 four terrible trap? Isn't it the most
ridiculous proceeding, Mr.. Brock
Call him, Roxbury. my dear. He's
fully prepared for 1t. And now let's
get down to business. He insists upol
talking it over with you. You don't
mind me being present, do you, Brock
I dare say l can help you out bit
I've been married four years. 49,
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