New Britain herald., 1925-11-03

| Brooke
 He bowed and walked briskly out of the room, not deviating by a hairs breadth from the shortest possible route. And who," demanded Millie Mintern, as he strode from sight, 'is Mir. Hedge?" | Constance hesitated The tempta- ton to expose the true character Of the efficiency monster was great. In two sentences she could hold him up to public scorn. They were trembling on her lips. But the hesitation gave time for rally of caution. The pride of the Brookes was still cherished pos session. There was something more than that. too. A guest under the Brooke roof-tree, even unbidden and unwanted. was still a guest.
 "Mr. Hedge" said Constance, "is a business representative of fathers"
 Not the-housekeeper."
 Constance turned a level glance upon Hildegarde.
 "Housekeeper? Certainly not!" she said
 But I thought you told mama
 Your mother surely misunder- stood me-" interrupted Constance "Mr. Hedge IS in charge of some of my fathers business affairs"
 This, however, was a mere iden' tiflcation of H. Hedge. It did mol explain him In the least to the Brookes' circle of friends. It wen abroad that he was queer and tha
 was report that Constance dit
 not wholly relish. He was queel enough, Heaven knew; but for req
 sons perhaps family pride, fol
 one she did not care 10 havt
 him famed for that alone.
 True efficiency Is an octopus
 reaching out in all directions ant seizing upon all things. It came tt pass that 1t seized upon Wally Val
 Nest on the very evening of th' day that II. Hedge had applied economy 10 dancing.
 Wally had called upon Constance He was something of 9 bore, bu Constance was even willing to b bored. Anything that was 8 relaxa
 ton from efficiency was welcome
 and Wally was that very thing.
 "Absurd-eh?" said Wally.y
 "What?" inquired Constance
 turning her head to yawn, although
 Wally would not have interpreted
 1t.
 That er-dancing. What doe
 he call it efficient? Awful,
 ridiculous
 "Um--I don't see why"
 Really, now? Why. it's so @
 - so out of form, you know"
 Constance was perfectly willin
 to criticize H. Hedges dancing -
 herself, But she experienced , faint and inexplicable resentmen when Wally did so. F I'm not slave to form," sh said pointedly. 7 What? Oh, truly, now?" , 'I am fond of the unusual" sh ) added.
 l Wally pondered that for half } minute, and indicated with a shak / of his head that he gave 1t up. 7 Why, Wally, I could almost b , fond of you," she added with F wicked glance.
 "Oh, I say. now! But I'm not bit unusual, really, you know , Father says" , Horace, the butler. entered tn
 music-room. and made a respectfu obeisance to Wally. , "Mr. Hedges compliments, sir, :, said Horace; and will you see hir '. for a moment in the library" :. Hedge had not sent his compll , ments, but Horace was traine ! servant, Constance was left starln and wrinkling her forehead.
 She waited in the music-roor ' five minutes, ten, fifteen. She wa ? becoming annoyed. Presently sh y rang for Horace. y "Is Mir. Van Nest still in tn g library?" she asked. n No, Miss Brooke. He left tn l house."
 n "Gone."
 |, "Yes, Miss Brooke" n T don't understand" V Horace coughed and volunteere a no explanation.
 I'll see If MT. Hedge knows, n she observed grimly, rising froI A the music-stool. Q You say he Is in the library h Very well; Ill- No: I won't. As II Mir. Hedge to come here, Horace " There were still fragments ( b dignity to be preserved. Horat ,a went away and returned. "a MT, Hedge says he is too bus {. Miss Brooke" ,' Constance dismissed the butle H Then she tore a handkerchief :, shreds. And then she went to u ,' library.
 IL The efficiency man was cold ,e chiding Alice concerning a scho y' report, and Alice was receiving Il v criticism in stony silence. She ", 'r listening only because she hs 10 been told that If she refused to r u ceive her lecture there would U no allowance check in the nor B. ing.
 Id She needed s1.6s quite badly. Id Constance heard. only the CO 't ciusion and saw her sister di ft missed with a curt nod. Tn, pt Hedge turned to her and signiflt er that she had his complete atte
 ton. 1- You sent for MT. Van Ne lg While he was calling on me" sl le began. "I have been informed tn
 he left the house. Do you know |
 reason?"
 "Yes."
 . May l ask the reason?" se Certainly. told him to leave H "You foid. hin, 7# D.