The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-05-11
MRS. MANSFIELD,
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She Played Upon Her Husbands Van
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81 have made a discovery, john" said
Mrs. Mansfield, looking up from her knit
ting.
John Mansfield, retired merchant, al
derman and mayor of Pimperne. looked
up from his paper.
"a discovery. my dear?" he said. as
Stunning his best magisterial manner.
Pray what is the nature of this remark
able occurrenceW
II find that Miss Ansom has q photo
graph of yourself. which she treasures in
secret"
what do you mean, my dear" ex-
claimed Mr.. Mansfield.
This morning." explained Mrs. Mans
field, II entered Miss Ansoms'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 q
photograph fell to the floor. She snatch.
ed it up, flung it into the drawer and
closed it, but not before l had recognized
it as your photograph. pretended not
to have noticed the photo, preferring to
have an explanation from you."
Mr.. Mansfield was the picture of help
less amazemcnt.
Miss Ausom, it must be explained. was
Il bright and charming young lady whom
4 4 4 ti,T cal
companion.
Il am quite at loss to explain the at
fair" said Mr.. Mansfield in tones quite
unlike those Of the mayor of Pimperne.
Possibly it was given to her by a mutual
friend"
Then why should she make mystery
of it and gloat over it In private?" de-
manded Mrs Mansfield grimly.
My DEAR" said Mr.. Mansfield. with
a return of dignity, Il do not understand
you. If mistake not, it was something
she hid in The drawer which she 'gloated'
over. ruI The photograph"
II am uot sure whiih il was, said
Mrs. Mansfield with strained calmness.
Now that the first shock of amazement
was over Mr.. Mansfield's pomposity re-
turned rapidly.
"Ah, very possible, my dear. Miss An
SOM, whom l have every reason to think
is q young lady of good discernment and
sound Judgment, has found something in
my public life which she has been good
enough to admire Miss Ansom has had
every opportunity Of studying my work
for the past three months and also the
general course of municipal life in what,
| think, may be regarded as noble Dor
ough. What more natural, then. that
this young lady, seeing the portrait OF q
gentleman clad in the robes and insignia
of the Office of chief magistrate Of this
borough displayed in the photographers
window and, recognizing in that gentle
man myself, should purchase that photo.
graph?
Mrs. Mansfield listened with immova-
BILE features.
"a very good explanation" she COM
mcntcd, eff it had been one of your otii-
cial photographs. But the one in Miss
Ansom's possession is one of those you
had taken about two years ago, before
you were elected mayor. We ordered on
ly few of them, l remember, and ]
thought we had disposed of them all. The
question is, how did Miss Ansom obtain
one? did not give it to her."
''Thcn l can only say that you must be
mistaken, my DEAR" said Mr.. Mansfield
with asperity. ION your own confession
you only saw it for an instant. 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 An
som has had no opportunity of removing
it, for ! sent her on an GRAND. 1t is in
the first drawer Of her dressing table il
you wish to satisfy your curiosity"
Mrs. Mansfield. do you think that ]
am going to steal into lady's room and
pry into her private affairs!" cried the
magistrate, rising. You forget your.
self. madam"
Mr.. Mansfield went up stairs in high
dudgeon to make some alteration in his
dress preparatory TO going out.
He was forced to acknowledge himself
quite at n loss to account for that photo
being in Miss Ansom's possession. which
admission was rather extraordinary on
his part.
He prided himself on his keen insight,
his strict impartiality and his tirmness in
discharging his magistcrinl duties. But
an exhibition of these qualities was not
confined to the bench. or the latter he
u III Ms hSAhSp
rs Mrs. Mansfield found to her cost.
1t WIGS only - 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 Il local magnate.
But handsome Jack Mansfield elected
to manage his own matrimonial affairs
and upset all his fathers brilliant plans
by falling in love with pretty nobody
whom Mr.. Mansfield had never even set
eyes on governess in house where he
vas visiting
Finding all arguments, persuasions and
commands alike useless, Mr.. Mansfield
finally told his son he must either fall in
with his wishes or leave his home for
ever and look for no further assistance
from himself. Jack chose the latter
course and within week set sail for
South Africa.
The loss of her only son was source
of great grief to Mrs. Mansfield, but all
her tears, plcadings and reproaches could
not prevail on her husband to rclent, and
as time rolled on her opportunities ceased.
Having dressed himself to his satisfac-
ton, Mr. Mansfield left the room.
Suddenly his progress was checked by
the sight of wide open door. What
tempting fcnd could have left the door
of Miss Ansom's room so invitingly open,
displaying. as it did, the very drawer in
which the much discussed photograph
was supposed to lie?
Mrs. Mansfield had, us she we'll knew,
struck her husbands weak spot when she
mentioned curiosity.
at would be the work Of n moment"
he reflected, Ito take just one glance into
that drawer to satisfy myself of the truth
of James story"
With cautious look round he noise
lessly entered the room, partially closing
the door behind him. lie opened the
drawer boldly, and-yes, there it was
the very first thing that caught his eye
his own photograph!
1t was as his wife had stated, one Of
the few he had taken about two years
ago.
Horrort Go,,ahodv xuo1 ooniUOf