Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-01-07
CHAPTER nI.--tCoxFINuEp.h

Perhaps 1t would be better for me
not to change my dress, II I am likely
to infringe upon the dinner hour" said
Constance, at her chamber door.
"oh, do not think my cousin would
approve Of thatp exclaimed her en-
phatic conductress. Then she amended
her inadvertence. "0f course, Mrs.
Withers is the proper Judge Of her own
actions, and I would not appear to die
tate, but my cousin is punctilious on
some points, and the matter Of ladies'
attire is one Of these. l have known
him 30 long that l am conversant with
all his amiable peculiarities. / am con-
fident he would be pleased to see Mrs.
Withers assume the head Of her table
In full dinner toilet. But as | remarked,
I do not presume to dictate, to adj
wise, or even suggest. Mrs Withers is
undisputed empress here" Having run
trippingly through this speech, she in
fiicted a third remarkable courtesy
upon the novice, and vanished.
"She is underbred and meddler,"
decided Constance, while she made a
rapid toilet. II hate to be addressed in
the third person. l thought 1t a 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
the evening meal, and three minutes
thereafter the footman knocked at her
door with the message that Mr.. With
ers had sent for her.
II shall be down directly. Tell him
not to wait for me-" she said, hurried
ly. She did not expect to be taken at
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, fussily,
Here she is, now, l resign my chair
to one who will fill 1t more worthily
than l have ever done"
keep your place, HARRIET! ordered
her kinsman. MRS. Wither1 will waive
her claims on this occasion, since she
is late" designating chair at his left
as that intended for Constances occu-
pancy. 1--WE would have waited for
you, Constance, had l been less faint
and weary. My physician has repeat
eddy warned me that protracted absti-
nence 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" cried
Harriet. II assure you never sat down
to meal when you were away without
signing over your evil plight in being
subjected to the abominable cookery
and intolerable hours Of hotels"
IT did not know you were dyspep-
tic" observed Constance. "You seemed
to enjoy good health during our tour"
"That was because Mrs. Withers
does not yet comprehend your marvel
GUS patience-the courage with which
you bear pain, and the unseltishness
that leads you to conceal its 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
the mischief that has been done. You
do not know what a prize you have
won, Mrs. Withers, until you have seen
him in the retiracy of home. His vir-
tues are such as flourish in perfection
in the shadow of his own vine and fig
tree; shed their sweetest perfume upon
the domestic hearth"
"As you perceive, my good cousins
partially for me tempts her to become
POLITICALLY extravagant in her express
sions," Mr.. Withers said to his wife, in
pretended apology, looking well
pleased, nevertheless.
I IT could not have a more patient aud
itor than Mrs. Withers, l am sure" re-
Joined Harriet. MRS. Withers will
never take exception to my honest en-
thusiasm."