The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1900-06-29
q B=!4AR .!lE. LIT
.edaE8k1Hl@RY MARlQM t7ARLANn. ss2S5Aa9{ssRa
ET1kSS&SS@z[S--
CHApTER m.-Coyr,NuEp,,

CHAPTER m.-tCoxrlNuHo.,
Perhaps it would be better for me
aot to change my dress, If am likely
to infringe upon the dinner hour" said
Constance, at her chamber door.
''Oh, I 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 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. I have known
him so long that am conversant with
oil his amiable peculiarities. am con-
ddent he would be pleased to see Mrs.
Withers assume the head of her table
In full dinner toilet But as I remarked,
I 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
dicted third remarkable courtesy
upon the novice, and vanished.
"She is underlined and a meddler,"
decided Constance, while she made a
rapid toilet. 81 hate to be addressed in
the third person. 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
the evening meal, and three minutes
thereafter the footman knocked at her
door with the message that Mr.. With
srs had sent for her.
IT shall be down directly. Tell him
not to wait for me-" she said, hurried
~. 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. resign my chair
to one who will fill it more worthily
than I have ever DONE"
Keep your place, Harriet" ordered
her kinsman. "Mrs. Withers will waive
her claims on this occasion, since she
IS late" designating a chair at his left
rs that intended for Constance's occu-
pancy. eve would have waited for
you, Constance, had 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 am seldom, when
at home, a sufferer from the twinges OF
dyspepsia, that have afflicted me in my
absence"
"Those horrible public tables" cried
Harriet. IT assure you I 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"
II did not know you were dyspep-
tic," observed Constance. "You seemed
to enjoy good health during our tour. I"
THAT was because Mrs. Withers
does not yet comprehend your marvel
Gus patience-the courage with which
you bear pain, and the unselfishness
that leads you to concea! its ravages
from the eyes Of Others" explained
Miss Field, ogling the interesting suf-
ferer, who was discussing a plate of
excellent white soup with solemnly
conscious air. Nov 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"
GAS you perceive, my good cousin s
partially for me tempts her to become
POLITICALLY extravagant in her express
eions," Mr.. Withers said to his wife, in
pretended apology, looking well
pleased, nevertheless.
II could not have more patient aud
itor than Mrs. Withers, I am sure" re-
Joined Harriet. "Alrs. Withers will
never take exception to my hoDest en-.
thusiasm."