The Yale expositor., 1896-09-04

~ >sSSS what Miss Field al
ways denominated
"sociable, old
fashioned tea" which, in the country,
was served at the town dinner hour'
Gould you obtain no conveyance al
the station?"
"None-unless chose to wait sew
eral hours. Surmising at once that my
letter had not arrived in season 10 no.
tify you Of my coming, / left my bag
gage in charge OF the station master
and set out on foot. I pleased myself
when | was here two years ago Win
surveying an air line between Jour
house and the nearest point or the rail-
road. If one does not mind some pretty
steep hills, he can save at least TWO
miles by availing himself OF my topo-
graphical skill. 1t was a pleasant va
riety TO me, after six hours In narrow
car seat. to stretch my limbs over the
rocky pass and breathe the fresh air oil
the wildwoods instead OF smoke ana
cinders."
1.-THE mystery to me is how and
where you met Mrs. Withers" chirped
vivacious Harriet do explain! l was
never so astonished in my life as when
| saw you two walking up the avenue
talking together like old friends"
"As we are" smiled Edward at his
sister-in-law. "She was sitting at the
foot of a cedar near my projected road,
enjoying the prospect beneath her. l
recognized her from her resemblance
to the photograph you sent me while 1
was abroad. Elnathan; walked up TO
her. like the impertinent fellow some
people think / am; introduced myself,
and offered to escort her home"
"You should have taken a servant
with you. Constance" said her husband,
magisterially. 1T is not safe or proper
for lady to ramble alone in this thin
| ly-sottled neighborhood.'
There are charcoal burners in the
mountainsw Miss Harriet interjected,
| shudderingly. THE most ferocious
looking creatures. with long boards
and black faces. saw one once when
we were driving out. And there used
TO be bears. when the country was first
settled"
And wolves, and catamounts, and
red Indians with no boards at all. fin
ished the younger Withers warningly.
Mrs. Withers, let me advise you to
take me along whenever you stir be-
yond the garden fence. / saw Rocky
Mountain savage once, and last wear
was one of party that went out On
bear hunt in Norway. We saw nothing
of Bruin, II is true, but my instructions
how to act in case he crossed my path
were so minute that l am confident
should prove a valiant protector in
time of need"
The invitation thus playfully given
was renewed in earnest. on the follow
ing day. The brother and sister-in-law
we're excellent friends from the mo-
ment of their meeting. The Travelled
member of the eminent banking firm
of Withers Bros. was about 80 years OF
age, and attractive in person, rather
from a certain grace and elegance c!
bearing, and a frank, intelligent ex.
preston than from regularity of fea-
ture. He had read much and seer
many lands, and knew how to use the
knowledge thus gained for the enter
tainment of his companions. A passion
ate lover of music, he was not slow IL
discovering Constance's kindred tastes
His coming gave different complexion
to life in the secluded country house
There were horseback rides before
breakfast. and diligent practice witt
voice and nstruments-piano, flute ant
violin, besides couple of hours read
ing in the forenoon; then came thu
after-dinner walk, seldom ending un
til sunset. In the evening ElnathaI
Withers dozed in his stuffed chair VIII i
he tried to beat time to the duet COINS
on at the other end of the room, ant
Harriet, bolt upright in the middle o
sofa, did wondrous things with
spool of cotton or silk and a crocne
needle-and took observations with he
beady eyes.
She was discreet as to the result o
these. For aught that could be gathere,
from her words or conduct she APP
proved entirely OF the growing init
macy between the married lady ant
the agreeable bachelor Elnathan wa
|
affections. He had made up his nint
to marry because a stylish wife woult
add to his individual consequence an,
adorn his already princely establish
nent. Constance Romaine pleased hi
yitical eye. and captivated whatever O
fancy dwelt in his practical nature
Yet, having welded, he trusted her
She offended him sometimes. He offer
wished that she were interpenetrate,
with something of Harriet's reverence
for himself; that she would put fortl
more effort to anticipate his wishes
and conform herself in all respects L
his ideas OF fitness in demeanor ant
conversation. He was never harsh il
his treatment of these deficiencies, bu
his pertinacious schooling, his curbinl