Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1903-10-09
CuApTER vI-fCorrIxuED.j

made q formal removal 10 tOWn. Oho
of the brothers, sometimes both, spent
two or three days a week there In Sep
tember, and, since the uncertain sun
shine and cold rains Of autumn con-
fined the ladies, for the most part. to
the house, they were ready to second
the proposition to seek their winter
quarters. Edward Withers was regu-
larly installed as one Of his brothers
household, and under his auspices city
life also put on a new face for Con-
stance. He had a box at the opera, and
Elnathan was foremost to suggest that
Constance should accompany him
thither.
THAT Is, when you are not engaged
to escort single ladies'" added the Sc
nior, with dry smile.
(Which will not happen often Il l
can have my sisters company instead"
replied the other. cordially. But can
not we make up family party Of four
for tomorrow night? can promise
you a treat"
Musical treats, when they are OPP
cratic, are thrown away upon me-" was
Constance shall keep up her practic-
ing, and to this end, desire her 20 have
every opportunity Of improving her
taste and style. You and she can give
home concerts of the latest gems in
this line for Harriet's benefit and
NINE"
Harriet applauded the idea to the
echo, and was careful that he should
not regret the young peoples absence
on the evenings they spent abroad,
playing chess with him for couple of
hours, and then reading aloud none
tary or political articles selected by
himself until he dropped into a doze.
They were left thus to themselves more
and more as the season advanced. In
vitations to parties, concerts and din
ners rained In upon Mrs. and the
Messrs. Withers, and to most Of these
Constance went, attended by Edward
only. Mr. Withers had never been So
cial from inclination, and he was only
too glad to delegate his duties in this
line to his wife, now that the protec-
ton of his brother rendered his attend
ance unnecessary.
Constance did not confess in words
to herself how greatly her pleasure was
augmented by the exchange of escorts.
1t was natural that man of her hus-
bands age and disposition should pre-
fer his own Preside to dancing and
small talk, and a wearisome feint Of
hearkening to harmonies that were I'M
Ineligible and without sweetness to
him. She enjoyed gay scenes with an
easier conscience that she did not see
his grave visage at every turn Of the
ed by the thought Of her selfishness in
having dragged him from his beloved
retirement How much this feeling of
relief was intensified by the circum-
stance that her willing cavalier was the
most delightful talker, one of the best
dancers, and assuredly the most grace
fully attentive to his fair charge in the
Gordon of beaux who frequented the
fashionable resorts just named, did
not enter into her complacent calcula-
lions. She was on excellent terms with
herself and all about her at this juno
ture. The acquaintances who had
carped at her reserve and want of ami
nation in the few assemblies at which
she had appeared as a bride candidly
avowed that nothing could be more
charming than her affability and gay
good humor, and that she was far hand
somer than they had supposed at nrst
sight.
The more captious subjoined, sub
rosa, that it was evident she app-eci-
ated Convenient wordD Mr.. Edward
Withers, and how fortunate she was in
securing tho services of an escort so
unexceptionable in every particular,
since her husband seemed to have re-
nounced society just as she fairly en-
tered it.
But" subjoined No. 2. audibly de-
livered, people had different ways Of
looking at these things, and. SO long as
Mr.. Withers lived happily with his
wife, and countenanced her in all that
she did, whose business was it to hint
at improperly or misplaced conf
dence?"
That Mr.. Withers did countenance
his wife in her lively career was not to
be denied 1t gratified him to see her,
magnif1cently dressed, go forth to gath
erings at which, as he was sure to hear
afterward, she was the object of gen.
eral admiration for her beauty and vi
vacity. 1t tickled his vanity to have
her do the honors of his mansion to a
choice company Of Edwards friends |
and hers-people in whose eyes he, the
sedate millionaire, could never hope to
be more than the respectful representa-
tive Of his money bags They were glad
to congregate in his stately salon |
now, to partake Of his nne old wines
and excellent viandA. and unite in laud- |