The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1926-08-26
BEGIN HERE TODAY

BEClN HERE Iuba
1 JOHN w. BROOKE, hardware
: magnnte and widowcr,
! with the Economy and Efficiency
Corporation. Limited, for scien-
tIfc management of his house
hold for n period of two months
that he will he out of the city.
He fails TO inform his three
children. Constance. William
and Alice, about his plans.
III. HEDGE. efficiency engi-
necr. picked 10 put the order
into effect. breaks the news to
the overwhelmed heirs-to-be
Having proved his right TO re-
main. they have dinner. After
wards Hedge orders ali the serv-
ANTS brought before him. He
produces the proxy signed by
the head Of the house and re-
quests close attention.
NOW CO ON WITH THE STORY
DAISING his voice slightly. Hedge
proceeded once more to read
aloud that extraordinary instru-
ment which began. Il. John w.
Brooke after the fashion of a last
Will and testament. He read slowly
and clearly. pausing between
phrases. in order that a full COM
rrchension of his words might be
obtained. When he reached tho red
seal. he looked up and folded the
paper.
Il am the Hedge referred to in
this document" he said. DO you
all understand it?"
The eight servants remained silent
and, with one accord. glanced at
Constance.
You may indicate that you under
stand tiff you really do" said Con
stance quietly.
Eight heads nooded.
Very we'll" said Mr.. Hedge. Re
turn 10 your quarters
The household help filed out of the
library with funeral steps. From
the hallway it was possible 10 dis
tinguish whispering. mingled with
the noise Of r%etreating footsteps.
The efficiency man walked over 10
a writing.table. seated himself.
picked up a pen, and apparently for
got the existence of thu three
Brookes. Constance, her lips tightly
compressed, retreated 10 the farther
end Of the room and stared into the
glow of an open fire. Billy. un"asily
thumbing a book. finally tossed ii
aside and disappeared. The opening
and closing of the front dnor account.
ed for his maneuver Alice sought
consolation in the Circassian-Walnut
photograph. She played thu loudest
concert records she could find. with
frequent chances in the direction Of
II. Hedge.
He was maddeningly o%hlivious.
Curiosity overCame Alice at length
She pretended to hunt for a book.
and the search twice carried her past
the desk at which the efficiency man
was working. But even TWO inspec-
lions did not enlighten her. He
seemed to be working at a problem.
but wholly unlike any she had ever
encountered at school. He was max
ing diagrams. doing sums in arith
metic, and writing memoranda, all
on the same sheet of paper, and he
was intensely absorbed in his work.
Half an hour of silence ensued in
the library. and then the efficiency
man looked up suddenly and consult
ed the reading Of a large clock that
stood in a corner.
Alice
The younger Of the Brooke girls
could scarcely believ' her ears. She
looked up from her chair and stared
at him.
How old are you?' he asked alb
ruptly.
Alice gasped and turned pink. She
rose to her feet and stood quivering.
It was outrageous! Constance walked
quickly to her, placed an arm abou;
her shoulders. and then directed a
look of scorn into the eyes of the
questioner.
BY what right YOU ash I do not
know" she said coldly. II is easier.
however. to answer the question
than to argue. Alice IS fifteen"
That being the case. and the hour
now being ten o'clock" remarked II
Hedge. Alice will kindly 20 to bed