The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1900-06-21
INTERNATIONAL PRESS ASSOCIATION
CHAPTER I'I.-CoSrrsuEp.,

CHAPTER ll.-CoNTfNUED.t
perhaps it would be better for mt
aot to change my dress. IL am likel,
20 infringe upon the dinner hour" sait
Constance. at her chamber door.
"Oh, do not think my cousin would
approve OF THAR exclaimed her en-
phatic conductress. Then she amended
her inadvertence. "Of course, Mrs.
Withers is the proper judge of her own
actions, and would not appear to die
tate. but my cousin is punctilious on
some points, and the matter OF ladies'
attire is one OF these. have known
him SO long that am conversant with
Ill his amiable peculiarities. l am con-
ddent he would be pleased to see Mrs.
Withers assume the head of her table
IN full dinner toilet. But as l remarked,
do not presume to dictate, to ad-
wise, or even suggest. Mrs. Withers is
andisputed empress here" Having run
lrippingly through this speech, she in
Hicted a third remarkable courtesy
apon the novice. and vanished.
"She is underbred and meddler,"
decided Constance, while she made
rapid toilet. II hate to be addressed in
the third person. I thought 1t a form
Of speech confined, in this country, to
kitchen maids and dry goods store
:lerks."
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
aoor with the message that Mr.. With
FRS had sent for her.
81 shall be down directly. Tell him
not to wait for me-" she said, hurried
ty. 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 / have ever done"
Keep your place, Harriet" ordered
her kinsman. MRS. Withers will waive
her claims on this occasion, since she
lis late" designating chair at his left |
as that intended for Constance's occu-
pancy. 1--WE would have waited for |
you, Constance, had I been less faint |
and weary. My physician has repeat |
sdly warned me that protracted absti-
hence is detrimental to my digestion. |
IIarriat hare updarctopdS NV copst; /
tuition so well that am seldom. when |
ut home sufferer from the twinges of
dyspepsia, that have afflicted me in my |
absence"
CHOSE horrible public tables" cried !
Harriet. 81 assure you never sat down
10 a 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-
,ic," observed Constance. You seemed
10 enjoy good health during our tour"
THAT was because Mrs. Withers
loes not yet comprehend your marvel
BUS patience-the courage with which
Tou bear pain, and the unselfishness
hat leads you to conceal its ravages
rom the eyes OF Others" explained
Miss Field, ogling the interesting suf-
'erer, who was discussing plate Of
excellent white soup with solemnly
conscious air. Nov that you are safe
inder your own roof, We will soon undo
he mischief that has been done. You
10 not know what prize you have
Won, Mrs. Withers, until you have seen
lin in the retiracy Of home. His vir-
ues are such as flourish in perfection
n the shadow of his own vine and fig
rec; shed their sweetest perfume upon
he domestic hearth"
"As you perceive, my good cousins
,artiality for me tempts her to become
,oetically extravagant in her express
IONS" Mr.. Withers said to his wife, in
pretended apology, looking we'll
'leased. nevertheless.
II could not have a more patient aud
tor than Mrs. Withers, / am sure" re-
oined Harriet. Mrs. Withers will
lever take exception to my honest en-
husiasm."