The Charles Mix new era. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1???-1911, 1909-07-30

i 1<AN~A '8V $500
studying some unusual signs of discon-
posture III her husbands manner but Of
what kind she could not exactly define.
II hardly think we require an introduc-
tion." the little woman said. holding Ma
thi1de's hands. Il am sure that Jern
must have told you Of his cousin Nellie.
hasn't bel"
Even IL MaihiIde had been reader with
m answer than she was. Ii would have
been her husband who spoke first. and at
the sound OF his voice she knew that
| there wal war In II.
allow am / I win forgiveness X !
plead guilty to never having done So
| Let me atone now, and present my cous-
In, Miss Nellie Fearon. who in the foolish
| days OF her teens. once thought that she
could put up with my humble self as a
6ance, but who, under stress OF duty.
changed her mind"
II was rather q h~eavy-handed blow
from q man TO a woman. and Mathilde
knew that the woman felt II by the sud-
denncss with which her hands were drop
ped. and by the wavering of her color.
Her smile, however, never wayered. and
che wal ready enough with q retort.
sOh, you bad mAn, how can you make
NJ look 20 idiotic, and the first time, too,
that your wife has met met"
hut now Mrs. Herbert came to her res
cue.
"Neliic. dear, do let James speak to
Mr.. Harter." and nov 1t was the par
sons turn to greet the husband, and be
introduced to the wife.
A they took their places at table, Ma
thilde noted with admiration q sign of
Mrs. Herbert's skill. The table was per-
fectly round, and there being no seat d.
rctly facing Stewards the difficulty of
place was avoided. The meal was not as
tedious a. she had expected, and 1t did
mot seem long before the women were
back by the drawing room fire, and the
men safe In the smoking-room.
Miss rearon idgetted about, carefully
arranged I pile of soft cushions. glanced
u = fashion paper, and then cooed:
"Florn, dear, | am sure you will ex-
cuse me II | run away for a few mo-
ments to finish a little scribble for the
post" and with q smile she futtered out
Of the room.
Then. as Mrs. Herbert leaned back In
her chair and folded her hands, M&thilde
felt that she was delivered into the hands
q the enemy, and prepared for action.
The attack began at once.
Il m sorryQ to hear that ron we're not
satisfied with your rooms. IL you had
told me so at once I could have given
directions about 1t then. without giving
james the trouble of speaking to the
housekeeper."
Here was, In truth. a weak joint In
her armor. Mafhilde devoutly hoped that
the other might be too sh~ort-sighted to
- her rosy confusion.
"Oh. the rooms are delightful she an
swered hastily. "But one OF my hus-
hands fads Is space. and be Is always
spreading himself and his possessions over
- much ground as possible"
@Indeed." came very dryIy from the
ether. Il should hardly have thought
that he had been accustomed OF late TO
such spacious mansions."
But now her antagonist spoke with
nore spirit.
1T may be the deprivations OF the last
I'm years which hare deepened his Eest
tor the comfortable and pleasant things
q life. You can hardly understand, l
think. how much he enjoys everything"
The widow sighed aggressiveIy:
mo doubt be enjoys the change OF
DEospects, bat be should remember that
he uncertainties Of life which rave him
those prospects may also make them -
asAes In his mouth
Nathilde suddenly saw that che had
bssn I'll but openly dwelling on the bene.
- caused BY the death Of her listeners
husband, and gasped horrorstruck: -Oh. I
~ not mean that hs wxs not sorry for
your loAI"
IT does not matter" the other nsw
a with . smile Of patient resignation.
then with 1 return to her more mundane
manner, she added, Il trust, my dear, that
the unexpected meeting with dear Nellie
would not distress your husband. 1t was
- stupid in me not to prepare him Tor
&"
why should 1t distress himY" The
question was short and incisive.
Mn. Herbert seemed Z bit clustered.
why, my dear. don't you know? /
wouldn't for the world make any trouble,
and I would not have spoken If / had not
thought that you knew but at the time of
Ais'-she hesifated-"of his misfortune,
he was engaged to Nellie. and her parents
Insisted on breaking OF the match. Poor,
dear Nellie behaved very sweetly about il.
and wrote him the most touching letter
imaginable
"How romantic.' remarked Aatnilde.
and but for me 1t would have been quite
the orthodox ending to the third volume.
tonight
"Oh, my dear, ! am sure"
Thanks: don't worry yourself; I am
not of a jealous disposition"
Mrs. Herbert looked relieved. How
sensible! And now, my dear, rs we are
getting on y well together, just let me
ny one little thing quietly to you. You'll
promise me not to mind. won't your"
This is never q reassuring question.
and Mathilde answered wisely, We'll
-"
AOh, no: I'm sure you won't. You see
| have been feeling all the evening that
II would be kinder TO tell You that En-
glish ladies don't wear so much jewelry
on quiet occasions like this. Of course
/ understand that it Is quite natural un-