The Winslow mail., 1900-05-31
! Mrs. Mansfield, StrategiSt

III ia IHduG d u1SCONtIN,
said Mrs. Mansfield, looking VI
from her knitting.
John Mansfield, retired merchant
alderman and mayor of Pimperne
looked up from his paper.
"A discovery, my dear?" he said, as
suming his best magisterial manner
"Pray what is the nature of this re-
markable occurrence"'
Il find that Miss Ansom has photo
graph of yourself, which she treasures
in secret"
"What do you mean, my dear?'' eX-
claimed Mr.. Mansfield.
This morning." explained Mrs,
Mansfield, II entered Miss Ansom's
room and found her absorbed in the
contemplation of some object which
she held. She had evidently not heard
my knock, but the noise of my entrance
startled her, and, as she hastily hid
something in a drawer, a photograph
fell to the floor. She snatched it up,
flung it into the drawer, and closed it,
but not before l had recognized it as
your photograph. l pretended not to
have noticed the photo, preferring to
have an explanation from you"
Mr.. Mansfield was the picture OF
helpless amaZement.
Miss Ansom, it must be explained,
was bright and charming young lady,
whom Mrs Mansfield had recently en-
gagged as companion.
Il am quite at a loss to explain the
affair."" said Mr.. Mansfield, in tones
Pimperne. Possibly it was given to
her by a mutual friend"
Then why should she make a mys-
terry of it, and glOat over it in private?''
demanded Mrs Mansfield. grimly.
MY dear" said Mr.. Mansfield, with a
return of dignity, Il do not understand
you! If l mistake not it was some
thing she hid in the drawer which she
'gloated' over, not the photograph"
81 am not sure which it was" said
Mrs. Mansfield, with strained calmness.
"Then l can only say that you must
be mistaken, my DEAR" said Mr.. Mans
field, with asperity. "On your own
confession you only saw it for an in
slant. How can you be certain that
it was photograph of myself?"
''If you think my eyes deceived me,
perhaps you will believe your own!
The photo is still in the drawer; Miss
Ansom has had no opportunity of re-
moving it, for l sent her on an errand.
1t is in the first drawer of her dressing
table, if you wish to satisfy your curl
osity."
Mrs. Mansfield, do you think that
am going to steal into a lady's room
and pry into her private affairs 2" cried
the magistrate, rising. You forget
yourself, madam!"
Mr.. Mansfield went upstairs in high
dudge0n to make some alteration in
his dress preparatory to going out.
He was forced to acknowledge him
self quite at a loss to account for that
photo being in Miss Ansom's posses
sion, which admission was rather ex-
traordinary on his part.
He prided himself on his keen in
sight. his strict impartiality, and his
firmness in discharging his magisterial
duties. But an exhibition of these
qualities was not confined to the
bench. Of the latter he had made q
lavish display in his home, as Mrs
Mansfield found to her cost.
1t was only 12 months ago that his
unbending will had driven their only
son, Jack, TO South Africa.
Mr.. Mansfield had determined that
his son should marry rank and beauty
in the person of a daughter of Local
magnate.
But handsome Jack Mansfield elect
ed to manage his own matrimonial af
fairs, and upset all his fathers bril-
liant plans by falling in love with a
pretty nobody, whom Mr.. Mansfield
had never even set eyes on-a gov
erness in a house where he was visit
ing.
Finding all arguments, persuasions
and commands alike useless, Mr.. Mans
field finally told his son he must either
fall in with his wishes or leave his
home forever, and look for no further
assistance from himself. Jack chose
the latter course, and within a week
set sail for South Africa.
The loss of her only son was source
of great grief to Mrs. Mansfield. But
all her tears. pleadings and reproaches
could not prevail on her husband to re-
lent, and as time rolled on her impor
tunities ceased.