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

WIS meoCf0rt.
THOR ten minutes Brock protested.
his argument growing weaker
and weaker as the true humor
Of the project developed In his
mind He came at last to realize that
Medcroft was in earnest and that the
situation was as serious as he pictured
It The Englishman's plan was unusu-
al, but II was not as rattle Drained as
1t had seemed at the outset Brock
was beginning to see the possibilities
that the use 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 a
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 bluffed into the game III
revoke like a fash. II she's keen for
the adventure I'll go. Rox. But I've
got to see her first and talk 1t all
over
"'Pon my word, old chap. she's rip
ping. awfully good sort, even though l
say II myself. She's true blue. and
she'll do anything for me. You see.
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 a 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 we're in the Rue de la Paix after
walking two blocks in contemplative
silence. "my peace Of mind Is poised
at tho brink Of an abyss. ] have a
feeling that I am about to chuck It
over"
Nonsense! You'll buck up when
Edith has had a fling at you"
II suppose I'm to call her Edith"
Certainly, and I won't mind a dear
or two when 1t 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 90
middle class"
"And I daresay Mrs. Medcroft will
object to It in private" lamented Brock
good naturally.
IT 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
standing behind your back when she
says 'Roxbury. dearr I 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 ut
the confident conspirator, twill I 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. Were
Of a size, and it won't fit you any better
than 1t does me. Our clothes never fl
US In London. Clever idea Of yours,
Brock, to think Of It And. here! Well
stop at this shop and pick up n glass.
You can have all day for practice with
1t. And. I 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 a 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 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 rs 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 net your wife. have you. old
manY" 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 aver 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?
I dare say l a help you out a 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. be was irrevocably commit.
ted to the enterprise. He a more
over. completely enchanted by the vista
Of harmless fun and sweet adventure
A. A--A- A-- H. IT. ~-A-A