Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-01-01
, CHAPTER III-CoNrINuKp.,

not to change my dress, II am likely
to in:singe upon the dinner hour" said
Constance, at her chamber door.
ooh, l do not think my cousin would
approve of thatv' exclaimed her en-
phatic conductress. Then she amended
her ,inadvertence. "Of course, Mrs.
Withers is the proper Judge of her own
actions, and l would not appear to die
tate, but my cousin is punctilious ON
some points, and the matter OF ladles
attire Is one of these. l have known
him SO long that am.conversant with
all his amiable peculiarities. l am con-
fident he would be pleased to see Mrs.
Withers assume the head OF her table
in full dinner toilet. But as remarked,
l do not presume to dictate, to ad-
wise, or even suggest. Mrs. Withers is
undisputed empress here Having run
trippingly through this speech, she IN
flicted a third remarkable courtesy
upon the novice, and vanished.
"She is underlined and a meddler,"
decided Constance, while she MADE q
rapid toilet. 81 hate to be addressed IN
the third person. l thought it form
OF speech confined, in this country, 10
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 10
the evening meal, and three minutes
thereafter the footman knocked at her
door with the message that Mr.. With
ers had sent for her.
"I shall be down directly. Tell MIN
not to wait for me-" she said, hurried
". She did not expect to be taken al
her word, but upon her descent to the
dining room she beheld her HUSBAND
seated at the foot of the board and MISS
Field at the head. The latter laid down
the, soup ladle and jumped up, fussiiy
Here she is, now. I resign m" chal!
TO one who will fill it more worthily
than have ever DONE"
Keep your place, Harriet" ordered
her kinsman. Mrs. Withers will waive
her claims on this occasion, since she
rs late" designating chair at his LEFT
as that intended for Constance's occu'
nancy. 1--WE would have waited fol
YOU. Constance, had been less faint
and weary. My physician has repeat
edly warned me that protracted absti'
nenee is detrimental to my digestion
Harriet, here, understands my consti'
tuition so we'll that l am seldom, when
at home, sufferer from the twinges Of
dyspepsia. that have afflicted me in my
absence"
"Those horrible public tables" criec
Harriet. 81 assure you never sat down
to meal when,you were away without
signing over your evil plight in being
subjected to the aabominable cookery
and intolerable hours Of hotels"
"I did not know you were a dyspep'
tic" observed Constance. You seemed
ito enjoy good health, during our tour
THAT was because Mrs. Wifhers
does not yet comprehend your marvel
OIlS DdIlSHCt-liC Uoui o5S "ASA-
VOL bear pain, and the unselfishness
that leads you to conceal its ravasei
from the eyes Of others" explained
Miss Field, ogling the interesting SUI
ferer. who was discussing a plate OF
excellent white soup with a solemniy
conscious air. Now that you are safe
under your own roof, We will soon undo
the mischief that has been done. You
do not know what prize you have
won. Mre. Withers, until you have seer
him in the retiracy of home. His vir-
tues are such as flourish in perfection
in the shadow of his own vine and hg'
tree; shed Sileir sweetest perfume upon
the domestic hearth"
"As you perceive, my good eCSisin
ipartiality for sle tempts her to become
poetically extravagant in her expires
sions," Mr.. Witners said to his wife. IN
pretended apology, looking well
pleased, nevertheless.
"T 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-
thusiasna"