The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1896-11-27
CHAPTER III.-fCosrrNurp.,

CHAPTER IIL-(CoNTrNUED.S
perhaps it would be better for me
/ not to change my dress, il / am likely
to infringe upon the dinner hour" said
Constance. at her chamber door.
/, ooh, / do not think my cousin would
approve of thatw exclaimed her en-
phatic conductress. Then she amended
her inadvertence. "Of course, Mrs.
Withers lis the proper judge of her own
4 actions, and would not appear to die
tate, but my cousin is punctilious on
some points, and the matter of ladies'
attire is one of these. / have known
him so long that | am conversant with
all his amiable peculiarities. ! am con-
fident he would be pleased to see Mrs.
Withers assume the head of her table
din full dinner toilet. But as / remarked,
i do not presume to dictate, to ad-
wise, or even suggest. Mrs. Withers is
Iundisputed empress here" Having run
trippingly through this speech, she in
lfiicted a third remarkable courtesy
upon the novice, and vanished.
"She is underbred and a meddler,"
decided Constance, while she made a
rapid toilet Il hate to be addressed in
1.-THE third person. l thought it form
of speech confined, in this country, to
Kitchen maids and dry goods store
clerks
Before she could invest herself in the
dinner dress that lay uppermost in her
trunk the bell rang to summon her to
1he evening meal. and three minutes
Thereafter the footman knocked at her
door with the message that Mr.. With
ers had sent for her.
81 shall be down directly. Tell him
not to wait for me-" she said, hurried
lilly. She did not expect to be taken at
sIlher word, but upon her descent to the
eIdining room she beheld her husband
RIseated at the foot of the board and Miss
alField at the head The latter laid down
1.-THE soup ladle and jumped up, fussily.
Here she is, now. resign my chair
I Ito one who will fill it more worthlly
4 than l have ever done"
Keep your place, Harriet ordered
NIher kinsman. Mrs. Withers will waive
8Iher claims on this occasion, since she
lis late" designating a chair at his left
4 las that intended for Constance's occu-
EIpancy. eve would have waited for
8lyou. Constance, had l been less faint
land weary. My physician has repeat
@Iedly warned me that protracted absti-
*Inence is detrimental to my digestion.
InJ.c {ay 9 m l.
zItution so we'll that [ am seldom, when
{ Iat home, a sufferer from the twinges OF
hdyspeDsia, that have afflicted me in my
KIabsence"
Those horrible public tables" cried
klHarriet. 81 assure you | never sat down
\ to meal when you were away without
{ lsighing over your evil plight in being
E|subjected to the abominable cookery
f and intolerable hours of hotels
II Il did not know you were dyspep-
Etic,'' observed Constance. You seemed
Ito enjoy good health during our tour
THAT was because Mrs. Withers
does not yet comprehend your marvel
/ |ous patience-the courage with which
Eyou bear pain, and the unselfishness
[Ithat leads you to conceal it's ravages
|from the eyes of Others" explained
/ Miss Field. ogling the interesting suf-
&ferer, who was discussing plate of
&excellent white soup with a solemnly
conscious air. Now that you are safe
under your own roof, We will soon undo
1.-THE mischief that has been done. You
do not know what prize you have
won, Mrs Withers, until you have seen
3him in the retiracy of home. His vir-
2tues are such as flourish in perfection
in the shadow of his own vine and fig
tree; shed their sweetest perfume upon
1.-THE domestic hearth.
LAS you perceive, my good cousins
partiality for me tempts her to become
poetically extravagant in her express
sions," Mr.. Withers said to his wife, in
pretended apology, looking well
pleased nevertheless.
"I could not have more patient aud
itor than Mrs Withers, am sure" re-
joined Harriet Mrs. Withers will
never take exception to my honest en-
thusiasn."