The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1913-08-14

what the devil is It you want me Il
do?"
"Do I appear to be agitated7"
"Well. l should say So"
"Well, / am. You know how I loatf
asking a favor Of any Besides. til
rather an extraordinary one I'm goinl
to ask Of you Came to me in a fash
this morning when l saw your name IL
the paper. Sort Of inspiration, pom my
word. l think Edith sees 1t the same al
I, although l haven't had time to go into
1t thoroughly with her. She's ripping
you know-pluck to the very core"
Brooks face expressed bewilderment
and perplexity.
Wont you have another drink, ole
manf" he asked gently.
"Another7 Hang 1t all, I haven't had
one in a week! Come along. I must
talk it all over with you before I in
troduce you to her. You must be pre-
pared"
Introduce me to whomY' demanded
Brock, pricking up his ears. He was
following Medcroft to the elevator.
ITO my wife-Edith," said Medcroft
annoyed by the others obtuseness.
docs 1t require preparation for ar
ordeal so charming?" laughed Brock
he was recalling the fact that Med
croft had married a beautiful Phila
delphia girl some years ago In London
a young lady whom he had eve seen,
M tboroupblv vDokrio<od bo6 che ha
come In consequence Of almost a life
time residence in England. He re
membered nov that she was rich and
that he had sent her a ridiculously ex
pensive present and a congratulatory
cablegram at the time of the wedding.
The Londoner did not respond to the
%innocuous query. He merely stared In
a ~preoccupied. determined manner at
the succeeding etages as they slipped
downward. At the fourth floor they
d~isembarked, and Brock led the way
to his rooms, overlooking the inner
court Once inside with the door clos
ed he turned upon the E~nglishman.
"Now, what's up, Rox? Are you in
trouble?" he demanded.
"Are we quite alone?' Medcroft
glanced significantly at the transom
and the half closed bathroom door
With a laugh Brock led him into the
bathroom and out and then closed the
transom.
You're darned mysterious" he said.
pointing to a chair near the window.
Medcroft drew another close up and
seated himself.
Brock" he said, lowering his voice
and leaning forward impressively. ~
want you to go to Vienna in my place"
Brock stared hard. "You are a god
send. old man. You're Just in time to
do me the greatest Of favors. It's ut
terry impossible for me to 60 to Vienna
as I had planned, and yet 1t Is equally
unwise for me to give up the project.
You see, I've just got to be In London
and Vienna at the same time"
1T will require something more than
a stretch Of the imagination to do that,
old man. But I'm game, and my plans
r such that they can be changed
readily to oblige a friend. shan't
mind the trip In the least, and I'll be
only too happy to help you out. Cad!
I thought by your manne that you
were in some frightful difficulty"
"By Jove, Brock, you're a brick"
cried Medcroft, shaking the others
hand vigorously. At the same time
his face expressed considerable uncer-
tainty and no little doubt as to the
future welfare Of his as yet partially
divulged proposition.
tits easy to be a brick, my boy, If
1t involves no more than the changing
Of a single letter in ones lame I'd
like to attend the convention anyway"
said Brock amiably.
"Well. you see. Brock" said Medcroft
lamely, q" fear you don't quite appre
ciate the situation I want you to pose
as Roxbury Medcroft"
you What do you meanr"
II thought you'd find that a facer
That's just It You are to 60 to Vienna
as Roxbury Medcroft, not as yourself
Ha. ha! Ripping. ehf"
"'Pon my soul. Rox, you are not in
earnestT'
"Never more So"
But my dear fellow
"You won't do TT That's what your
tone means" In despair.
1T isn't that, and you know It I've
got nothing to lose. It's you that will
have to suffer. You're known all over
Europe. What will be said when the
trick Is discovered? Cad. manr'
Then you will go7" with beaming
eyes Il knew II would appeal to you
Ar an American"
What does Il all mean7"
IT'S all very simple. II q looks at
II from the right angle. Brock. Up to
last night ] wal blissfully committed
to the most delightful Of outings. 20 to
speak AZ 10 O'Clock Everything wa