The McCook tribune., 1896-11-13

IN favor of or against Mr.. Withers. You,
as the one most nearly interested IN
the consequences of your acceptance
or refusal of his offer, should surely
be able to make up your mind how to
treat ii and him."
Il should be, as you say" responded
the sister-in-law But l cannot
She was handsome woman, in the
prime OF early maturity, whose face
seldom wore, in the presence of others,
the perturbed expression that now be-
gloomed it.
THAT does not affect the fact OF your
duty" answered Mrs. Romano, with
considerable severity. There are times
and circumstances in which vacillation
is folly-criminal weakness. You have
known Mr.. Withers long enough to
form a correct estimate Of his charac-
ter In means and in reputation he IS
all that could be desired, your brother
says. Either you like him well enough
to marry him, or you do not. Your Sit
uation in life will be bettered by an
alliance with him, or it will not. These
are the questions for your consldera-
ton. And excuse me for saying that
woman OF your age should not be at
loss in weighing these
Again Constance had nothing reacy
except weak phrase Of reluctant ac-
quiescence. Il feel the weight OF your
reasoning, Margaret. You cannot de-
spise me more than do myself for my
childish hesitancy. Mr.. Withers-any
sensible and honorable man deserves
different treatment. II / could see the
way clear before me l would walk IN
it. But. indeed, am in a sore dilem-
ma She turned away, as her voice
shook or the last sentence, and AFFECT
ed to be busy with some papers upon
stand
Mrs. Romaine was just in all her
dealings with her husbands sister, and
meant, in her way, TO be kind. Con-
stance respected her for her excellent
sense, her honesty of purpose and ac-
tion-but she was the last OF her
friends whom she would have select
ed. of her free will, as the confidante
Of such joys and sorrows as shrink
from the touch of hard natures-refuse
to be confessed to unsympathizing ears.
Her heart and eyes we're very full now,
but she would strangle sooner than
drop tear while those cold, light orbs
were upon her.
In consideration of the weakness and
ridiculous senSitiveness of her compan-
ion. Mrs. Romaine forbore to speak the
disdain she felt at the irresolution and
distress she could not comprehend. rs
Mr.. Withers personally disagreeable to
you?" she demanded, in her strong con-
tralto voice.
Il liked him tolerably well-very
well. in fact, until he told NE what
brought him here so regularly" Con-
stance stammered. Now | am embar-
rassed in his presence-so uneasy that
l wish sometimes I could never see or
hear of him again.
Mere shynessr said Mrs. Romano.
Such as would be pardonable in
girl of seventeen. In woman OF seven
aud-twenty it is absurd. Mr.. Withers
is highly esteemed by all who know
him. Your disrelish of his society is
caprice, unless''-the marble gray eyes
more searching-"unless you have a
prior attachment"
Constance smiled drearily. Il have
never been in love in my life, that l
know Of
you are none the worse for having
escaped an infatuation that has wreck
ed more women for time and for eter-
nifty than all other delusions combined.
A rational arriage-founded upon
mutual esteem and the belief that the
social and moral condition of the par
ties to the contract would be promot-
ed thereby-is the only safe union. The
young. inexperienced and headstrong,
repudiate this principle. The mature
in age know il to be true. But, as
have said, it is not ny intention to di-
rect your judgment. This is momen-
teus era in your life. I can only hope
and pray that you may be guided
Alright in your decision"
Left to herself to digest this morsel
OF pious encouragement, Constance
drew a low seat to the hearth regis
ter, clasped her hands upon her knees,
and tried, for the hundredth time that
day, to weigh the facts of her position
fairly and impartially.
She had been an orphan for eight
years. and a resident in the house Of
her elder brother. Her senior by more
than a dozen years, and in the excit-
ing swing of successful mercantile life,
nc had little leisure for the study OF
his sisters tastes and traits, when she
first became his ward, and conceived
the task TO be an unnecessary one, now
that she was to be fixture in his fam
lily. and appeared to get on smoothly
with his wife. In truth, it never oe-
Cured to him to lay disturbing finger
upon the tiniest wheel Of the domestic
machinery. His respect for mis- spouse s
executive and administrative abilities
was exceeded only by her confidence in
her own powers. She was never irasci-