The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1900-06-07

In favor OF or against MIR. Withers. You,
as the one most nearly interested In
the consequences of your acceptance
or refusal of his offer, should surely
be able to make up your mind how to
treat 1t and him..
II should be, as you say" responded
the sister-in-law. but cannot"
She was a handsome woman, in the
prime OF early maturity. whose face
seldom wore, in the presence OF others,
the perturbed expression that now be-
gloomed it.
THAT does not affect the fact OF your
duty" answered Mrs. Romano, with
considerable severity There are times
and circumstances in which vacillation
is folly-criminal weakness. You have
known Mr. Withers long enough to
form a correct estimate of his charac
ter. In means and in reputation he is
all that could be desired, your brother
says. Either you like him well enough
to marry him, or you do not. Your sit
uation in life will be bettered by an
alliance with him, or it will not. These
are the questions for your considera-
ton. And excuse me for saying that
woman of your age should not be at a
loss in weighing these"
Again Constance had nothing ready
except a.weak phrase of reluctant ac-
quiescence. II feel the weight Of your
reasoning, Margaret You cannot de-
spise me more than do myself for my
childish hesitancy. Mr.. Withers-any
sensible and honorable man deserves
different treatment. If / could see the
way clear before me I would walk in
1t. But, indeed, | am in a sore dilem-
ma" She turned away, as her voice
shook on the last sentence, and affect
ed to be busy with some papers upon
stand.
Mrs. Romano was just in all her
dealings with her husbands sister, and
meant, in her way, to be kind. Con-
stance respected her for her excellent
sense, her honesty of purpose and ac-
tion-but she was the last OF her
friends whom she would have select
ed, of her free will, as the confidante
OF such joys and sorrows as shrink
from the touch of hard natures-refuse
to be confessed to unsympathizing ears.
Her heart and eyes were very full now,
but she would strangle sooner than
drop tear while those cold, light orbs
were upon her.
In consideration of the weakness and
ridiculous sensitiveness of her compan-
ion, Mrs. Romano forbore to speak the
disdain she felt at the irresolution and
distress she could not comprehend rs
Mr.. Withers personally disagreeable to
your" she demanded, in her strong con-
tralto voice.
IL liked him to!erably well-very
well, in fact, until he told me what
brought him here so regularly" Con-
stance stamniered. Nov | am embar-
raised in his presence so uneasy that
] wish sometimes could never see or
hear OF him again."
Mere shyness" said Mrs. Romano.
Such as would be pardonable in a
girl of seventeen. In woman of seven
andtwenty it is absurd. Mr.. Withers
is highly esteemed by all who know
him. Your disrelish of his society Is
caprice, unless"-the marble gray eyes
more searching-"unless you have a
prior attachment"
Constance smiled drearily 81 hav,
never been in love in my life, that
know Of"
you are none the worse for having
escaped an infatuation that has wreck
ed more women for time and for eter-
nifty than all other decisions combined.
A rational marriage founded upo:;
mutual esteem and the belief that the
social and moral condition of the par
ties to the contract would be promot-
ed thereby-is the only safe union. The
young, inexperienced and headstrong
repudiate this principle The mature
In age know 1t to be true But, as ]
have said, 1t is not my intention to di-
rect your Judgment. This is momen-
tous era in your life. can only hope
and pray that you may be guided
Alright in your decision"
Lci@ " Hefsei 10 uiseSt tulS noTsel
OF pious encouragement, Constance
drew low seat to the hearth regis.
ter, clasped her hands upon her knees
and tried, for the hundredth time thai
day. to weigh the facts of her position
fairly and impartially.
She had been an orphan for eigh
years, and resident in the house o
her elder brother. Her senior by NOR
than a dozen years and in the excit
ing swing OF successful mercantile life