The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1900-06-14

ly, who ruled and who ooeyed. Sne
had given UP so much within three
months past that resignation had De-
come a habit; sacrifice was no longer
an effort. Having nothing to hope Tor
she could sustain no further loss. Row
long this nightmare OF apathy woulc
continue was question that dld no.
present itself in her gray musings,
Having once conquered Nature, and
held Inclination under the heel or Re-
solve, until life seemed extinct, she an
ticipated no resurrection. She did not
know that no single battle, however
long and bloody. constitutes cam
paign; that length of days and many
sorrows are needed to rob youth OF
elasticity; that the guest who fingers
longest In the human heart, clingine
to the shattered shelter from which all
other joys have flown, is Hope. 1t Is
doubtful II she thought with any dis
tinctness at this period. She was GER
tainly less actively miserable than in
that which Immediately preceded her
engagement. That was amputation;
this, reactionary WEAKNESS. How she
would fare by and by, when the wound
had become scar, she thought of least
of all.
1t was a handsome carriage in
which she rode at the masters right
hand. A pair of fine horses pranccd
before 1t, and liveried coachman sat
on the box. She had sometimes envied
other women the possession OF like
state. She ought to derive delight
from these outward symbols of her ele-
walton in the world 1t was an impos-
ing mansion, too, before which the
equipage presently paused, and tall
footman opened the front door and ran
briskly down to the sidewalk to assist
the travellers in allghting. None of
her associates, married or single, lived
in equal style. she reflected with still
of exultation. as she stepped out, be-
tween her husband and his lackey.
Mr.. Withers' address dampened tie
rising glow.
This is our home, my dear. You viii,
find no cause of discomfort with it, /
hope" he said, In benign patronage,
handing her up the noble flight of stone
steps.
Thank you" she replied, coldly. "It
is a part of the price for which l sold
myself she was meditating. 81 must
not quarrel with my bargain"
Miss Field met them in the hall-a
wasp-like figure, surmounted by a
small head. Her neck was bare and
crane-like; her face very oval, her
skin Opaque and chalky; her hair black
and shining, the front in long ringIets:
ner eyes jet beads. that rolled and twin
Killed. necessarily.
My dear cousin" she cried, ELUSIVE
ly embracing her patrons hand and
winking back an officious tear. 1T is
like sunshine to have you home again.
How are you?"
"Well-thank you, Harriet; or, I
should say, in tolerable health" re-
turned Mr.. Withers, magnificently con-
descending. ALLOW me to introduce nv
wife, Mrs. Withers,'
Miss Field swept a fiourishing cour-
tesy. Constance, as the truer lady of
the two, offered her hand. 1t was
grasped very slightly, and instantly re-
linquished.
Charmed to have the honor. l am
sure" ~murmured Miss Field. II trust
l see Mrs. Withers quite well? But
you, cousin--did I understand you to
intimate that you were indisposed %
with strained solicitude.
A tri1ing attack of indigestion. not
worth mentioning to any ears except
Ing yours, my good nurse"
Miss Field smiled indulgence in this
concession to her anxiety, and Con-
stance, who now heard of the .Indls-
position for the first time, looked
from one to the other in surprised ST.
lence.
Perhaps Mrs. Withers would like to
go directly to her apartmentsy" pur.
sued Harriet, primly, with another
courtesy.
BY all means" Mr.. Withers replied
Tor her. las it is. l fear your dinner
VIII have to wait for her, If, as pre-
sumo is the case, you are punctual as is
your custom"
Gould fail in promptitude upon
this day OF all others?" queried Har
riet, sentimentally arch, and preceded
the bride upstairs.
ITO BE coyTrNUED.p