New Ulm review., 1913-10-22

\ But the day of severest trial was now
at hand. The Rodneys were arriving
/ on the ffth day from Berlin. Despite
j the fact that the Seattle connections
had never seen the illustrious Med
croft. husband to their distant cousin
there still remained the disturbing fear
that they would recognize -0r, rather,
fail to recognize him!-from chance pic
lures that might have come to their
! notice. Besides, there was always the
possibility that they had seen or even
met Brock in New York. He lugubri-
Ously admitted that he had met un.
fortunate thousands whom he had
promptly forgotten. but who seldom
failed to remember him., It is not sur.
prising. then. that the Medcrofts, ex
parte were in st;l4e OF perturbation
condition which did not relax in the
least as the time drew near for the ar
rival of the 5 o'clock train from the
north. Constance strove faithfully,
even valiantly, to inject confidence into
the souls Of the prime conspirators.
"You have done SO beautifully up to-
this time" she protested to the dolorOns
Brock, why should you be afraid?
once read Of an Indian chief whose
name was Young His
Wife. He was a very brave fellow in
spite of all that. You are afraid Of
Edith. but can't you be like the Indian?
He'-
81 nj
Brock But he could cover his con-
fusion with war paint. Don't forget
that. my dear. Think Of the difference
in our disguises-war paint in daubs
versus spats and an eyeglass: Besides.
be didn't have to talk west end Eng
lish And. moreover. he lived in wig
wan and didn't have to explain sky
bedroom to strangers who happened
along"
'That is q bit awkward" she con
fessed thoughtfully. But can't you
say that you have insomnia and can't
sleep unless you are above the noise of
the street"
He looked at her with an expression
that made verbal reply to this sug-
gestion altogether unnecessary.
Nurse says that Tootles has forgot
ten the real Roxbury," she went on aft
er moment. See how cleverly you
have played the part"
Still he stared moodily, unconvinced.
at the roadway ahead. They were
driving in the Haupt Alice.
II hope l haven't got Roxbury into
trouble by that interview 1~gave out
concerning the new method OF fire
proofng woodwork in Office buildings
and hotels. 1t occurred to me, after
ward that he is violently opposed to
the system. advocated it. He'll have
al might say devil Of time ex-
planning his change of front"
AS matter Of fact. when Medcroft.
hiding in London. saw the reproduced
interview in the Times. together with
editorial comments upon the extraordi-
nary attitude of supposedly conserva-
tive Englishman of recognized ability.
he was tried almost beyond endurance.
For the next two or three days the
newspapers printed caustic contribu-
tions from fellow architects and build
ers, in each Of which the luckless Med
croft was taken to task for advocating
an impractical and famous New York
hobby in the way of construction. some
thing that staid old London would not
even tolerate or discuss. The social
chroniclings Of the Medcrofts in W.
emma as dispatched by the correspond
ents Offset this unhappy bull to some
extent in so far as Medcroft's peace OF
mind was concerned, but nothing could
have drawn attention to the fact that
he was not in london at that partlc'
ular time so decisively as the Vienna
interview and its undefended front
Even his shrewdest enemy could not
have suspected Medcroft OF patience
which would permit him to sit quiet IN
London while the attacks We're going
on. He found some small solace In the
reflection that he could make the end
justify the means.
On their return to the Bristol, BLOCK
and Miss Fowler found the fair Edith
in q pitiful state Of collapse. She de-
clared over and over again that she
could not face the Rodneys. 1t was
more than should be expected OF her,
She was sure that something would 60
wrong. Why-oh, why was 1t neces-
sary to deceive the Rodneys? Why
should they be kept in the dark? Why
wasn't Roxbury there to counsel wise
". and more. nd infinitum. until the
distracted pair were on the point or
deserting the cause. She finally dis
solved into tears. and would not listen
to reason. expostulatlon or persuasion
It was then that Brock cruelty but ef-
fectively declared his intention to abdi-
cate, as he also had reputation to
preserve Whereupon. with tine
sense of distinction she tlared up and
accused him of treachery to his best
friend. Roxbury Medcroft, who was re-
posing the utmost confidence in his
friendship and loyalty. How could she
be expected to go on with the play II
~ Aho p,o~ ,,por rhoD1 ovorvfhinO |