The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1900-07-06

IA 1TSN~ family assembled
~4X& that evening for
~ ~" what Miss Field al
ways denominated
''sociable, old
fashioned tea," which, in the country,
was served at the town dinner hour.
Gould you obtain no conveyance at
the sIation?"
'sNone-unless chose to wait sew
eral hours. Surmising at once that my
letter had not arrived in season to no.
tify you of my coming, l left my bag
gage in charge of the station master
and set out on foot. l pleased myself
when I was here two years ago with
surveying an air line between your
house and the nearest point of the rail-
toad. If one does not mind some pretty
steep hills, he can save at least two
miles by availing himself of my topo-
graphical skill. 1t was a pleasant va
riety to me, after six hours in a narrow
car seat, to stretch my limbs over the
rocky pass and breathe the fresh air OF
che wildwoods instead of smoke and
rfnders."
The mystery to me is how and
where you met Mrs. Withers!" chirped
vfvacious Harriet. "Do explain! was
never so astonished in my life as when
saw you two walking up the avenue
talking together like old friends"
sAs we are" smiled Edward at his
stster-in-law. "She was sitting at the
foot of cedar near my projected road,
enjoying the prospect beneath her. I
recognized her from her resemblance
To the photograph you sent me while I
was abroad, Elnathan; walked UP to
hcr. like the impertinent fellow some
feople think am introduced myself,
and offered to escort her home"
"You should have taken a servant
with you, Constance" said her husband,
magisterially. cit is not safe or proper
tor a lady to ramble alone in this thin
6y-settled neighborhood."
There are charcoal burners in the
mountains!" Miss Harriet interjected,
shudderingly. "The most feroc!ous
looking creatures, with long boards
and black faces. saw one once when
we were driving out. And there used
to be bears, when the country was first
settled@"
"And wolves, and catamounts, and
red Indians with no boards at ALL" fin
tshed the younger Withers warningly.
Mrs. Withers, let me advise you to
take me along whenever you stir be-
.Yond the garden fence. saw Rocky
Mountain savage once, and last wear
was one of a party that went out on
Gear hunt in Norway: We saw nothing
af Bruin, it is true, but my instructions
hsw to act in case he crossed my path
we're so minute that l am confident 1
should prove valiant protector in
tine of need"
The invitation thus playfully given
scas renewed in earnest on the follow
ing day. The brother and sister-in-law
we're excellent friends from the mo-
snent Of their meeting. The Travelled
member of the eminent banking firm
Of Withers Bros. was about 80 years of
lge, and attractive in person, rather
'srom certain grace and elegance CT
'5earing, and frank, intelligent ex-
preston than from regularity of fea-
cure. He had read much and seen
many lands, and knew how to use the
knowledge thus gained for the enter
;sainment of his companions. A passion
ate lover of music, he was not slow in
Constance's kindred tastes.
Ills coming gave a different complexion
Eifa in, ha lid o+r,y
There were horseback rides before
and diligent practice with
voice and MISUNDERSTANDING, flute and
viofin, besides couple of hours read
Ing in the forenoon; then came the
after-dinner walk, seldom ending I'M
till sunset. In the evening Elnathan
dozed in his stuffed chair VIII lie
me tried to beat time to the duet going
On at the other end of the room, and
Harriet, bolt upright in the middle of
3 sofa, did wondrous things with
spool of cotton or silk and crocnet
needle-and took observations with her
beady eyes.
She was discreet as to the result of
hese. For aught that could be gathered
from her words or conduct she ap-
proved entirely OF the growing init
macy between the married lady and
the agreeable bachelor. Elnathan was
not a man of fine feelings and strong
affections. He had made up his mind
to marry because stylish wife would
add to his individual consequence and
Adorn his already princely establish
ment. Constance Romano pleased his
critical eye, and captivated whatever Of
Fancy dwelt in his practical nature.
Get, having welded, he tasted her.
She offended him sometimes. He often
wished that she were interpenetrated
with something of Harriet's reverence
Tor himself; that she would put forth
more effort to anticipate his wishes,
md conform herself in all respects to
his ideas Of fitness in demeanor and
conversation. He was never harsh in
his treatment Of these deficiencies, but
e. - ,