Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1903-09-11

bile glimmer of individuality nay have
been born with the offspring of the
methodical and practical parents. Con-
esting, notwithstanding the natural
love for children which led her to court
their companionship during the earlier
weeks of her domestication in their
housn. 1t was next to a miracle that
she did not stiffen in this atmosphere
into a buckram image of feminine pro-
priety-a prodigy Of starch and virtue.
such as would have brought calm de-
light to the well-regulated mind of her
exemplar, and effectually chased all
thoughts of matrimony from those OF
masculine beholders. Had her discon-
tent with her allotted sphere been less
active, the result would have been GER
tain and deplorable. She was, instead,
popular among her acquaintance OF
both sexes, and had many friends, il
few lovers. This latter deficiency had
given her no concern until within two
years. At twenty-five she opened her
eyes in wide amaze upon the thinning
ranks OF her virgin associates, and be-
gan seriously to ponder the causes that
had left her unsought, save by two very
silly and utterly ineligible SWANS, whose
oyertures were, in her esteem, pre-
sumption that was only too ridiculous
to be insulting. Her quick wit and
knowledge of the world helped her to
solution of the problem 81 am poor
and dependent upon my brothers char
fty," she concluded, with a new and
sitting uprising of dissatisfaction With |
her condition. Men rarely fall in love
with such-more rarely WOO them"
She never spoke the thought aloud, but |
it grew and strengthened until it re-
ceived startling blow from Mr.. With
ers' proposal of marriage.
He was a wealthy banker from a
neighboring city, whom business rela-
lions with Mr. Romaine drew to his
house and into his sisters company
His courtship was all Mrs Romano
could desire. His visits were not toe
frequent, and were paid at stated inter-
walls, as befitted his habits of order and
His manner to the lady
honored by his preference was replete
with stately respect that was the an
tfpodes of serviie devotion, while his
for her society, and admira-
ton for her person, were unmistakable.
He paid his addresses through Mr. Ro-
maine as his fair ones guardian, offer
ing voluntarily to give his beloved
whatever time for deliberation upon the
she desired.
you had better think it over for a
week." advised her brother, when he
had laid the case duly before Con-
stance. 1T is too serious a matter to
be settled out of hand
After that, neither he nor his wife
their counsel upon her until
he afternoon of the seventh day. Then
Mrs. Romaine, going to her sisters
to communicate the substance
If telegram just received by her hus-
band to the effect that Mr.. Withers
would call that evening at s o'clock,
vas moved to grave remonstrance by
he discovery that she whom he came
% WOO had no answer prepared for
lin. Constance was no nearer ready
lfter the conversation before recorded
Il cannot afford to be romantic"
he had reminded herself several
lines. "And who knows but this IRA
ional repugnance may pass away when ,
have once made up my mind to ac-
ept him? This may be-in all likeli- !
lood it is-my last chance of achiev-
ng an Independent position. 1t has
'een a long time coming, and my
harms will be on the wane soon. True,
marriage with Elnathan Withers is
lot the destiny Of which have dream
d, but then dreams are but foolish va
aries after all. Life is real and ear !
est."
fTo BE coSTINUEpD