Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-01-15
CHAPTER VI.-(CoNTINuEp.)

the house, they were ready u secohu
the proposition to seek their winter
quarters. Edward Withers was regu-
larly installed as one Of his brothers
household, and under his auspices city
life also put on a new face for Con-
stance. He had a box at the opera, ana
Elnathan was foremost to suggest that
Constance should accompany him
thither.
THAT is, when you are not engaged
to escort single ladies'" added the Sc
nior, with a dry smile.
(Which will not happen often Il l
can have my sisters company instead
replied the other, cordially. But can
not we make up a family party OF four
for tomorrow night? I can promise
you a treat"
Musical treats, when they are OPP
cratic, are thrown away upon me-" was
the answer. But I am anxious that
Constance shall keep up her practic-
ing, and, to this end, desire her 20 have
every opportunity of improving her
taste and style. You and she can give
home concerts Of the latest gems IN
this line for Harriet's benefit and
NINE"
Harriet applauded the idea to the
echo, and was careful that he should
not regret the young peoples absence
OIL the evenings they spent abroad,
playing chess with him for couple OF
hours, and then reading aloud none
tary or political articles selected by
himself until he dropped into a doze.
They were left thus to themselves more
and more as the season advanced. In
vitations to parties, concerts and din
ners rained in upon Mrs. and the
Messrs. Withers, and to most of these
Constance went, attended by Edward
only. Mr.. Withers had never been so
cial from inclination, and he was only
too glad to delegate his duties in this
line to his wife, now that the protec-
ton of his brother rendered his attend
ance unnecessary.
Constance did not confess in words
to herself how greatly her pleasure was
augmented by the exchange Of escorts.
y
bands age and disposition should pre-
fer his own fireside to dancing and
small talk, and a wearisome feint Of
hearkening to harmonies that were I'M
Ineligible and without sweetness to
him. She enjoyed gay scenes with an
easier conscience that she did not see
his grave visage at every turn of the
waltz or promenade and was not haunt
ed by the thought of her selfishness in
having dragged him from his beloved
retirement. How much this feeling of
relief was intensified by the circum-
stance that her willing cavalier was the
most delightful talker, one Of the best
dancers, and assuredly the most grace
fully attentive to his fair charge in the
Gordon Of beaux who frequented the
fashionable resorts just named, did
not enter into her complacent calcula-
lions. She was on excellent terms with
herself and all about her at this june
ture. The acquaintance who had
carped at her reserve and want Of ami
nation in the few assemblies at which
she had appeared as bride candidly
avowed that nothing could be more
charming than her affability and gay
good humor, and that she was far hand
somer than they had supposed at first
sight.
The more captious subjoined, sub
rosa, that it was evident she appreci-
ated convenient wordD Mr.. Edward
yN;tborc opd bouy fortrpofa che uroc in
securing the services of an escort so
nneXceptionable in every particular,
since her husband seemed to have re-
nounced society just as she fairly en-
tered it.
But" subjoined No. 2, audibly de-
livered, people had different ways of
looking at these things, and, so long as
Mr.. Withers lived happily with his
wife, and countenanced her in all that
she did, whose business was it to hint
at improperly or misplaced conf
dence?"
That Mr.. Withers did countenance
his wife in her lively career was not to
be denied. 1t gratifed him to see her,
magnificently dressed, go forth to gath
erings at which, as he was sure to hear
afterward, she was the object of gen.
eral admiration for her beauty and vi
vacity. 1t tickled his vanity to have
her do the honors Of his mansion to a
choice company Of Edwards friends
and hers-people in whose eyes he, the
sedate millionaire, could never hope to
be more than the respectful representa-
tive OF his money bags. They were glad
to congregate in his stately salon
now, to partake Of his fine old wines
and excellent viands, and unite in laud-
atoms Of the handsome woman who
bore his name. Adulation did not
spoil her, he was pleased to observe.
She had never been more deferential
in her department to himself, more
ready to consult and obey him than
when the star Of her popularity was
highest and brightest. In this she tes-
titled her good sense and feeling heart.
To whom should she be grateful and
dutiful If not to her benefactor, the
architect Of her fortune and happiness?
Association with him and with his
brother had developed her finely. He
took credit to himself for the penetra-
ton that had detected the germs of so