The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1900-02-17
FEATURES.

secured. as she is closely guarded and
refuses to see any but the most init
mate friends; and these are few, for
the long period of suffering which she
has endured since the beginning of the
revolution in the Philippines has turned
Mrs Aguinaldo's confidence into sus-
picion and kind regard into distrust.
polite little note conventionally
vorded and scrawled upon the finest OF
satin finish paper came in response to
nv request to see her, announcing that
Mrs. Aguinaldo would grant me a few
minutes conversation at precisely 2:3O
in the afternoon. The note was en-
closed in an envelope delicately per-
fumed and sealed with sealing wax in
a manner that suggested at least
partial knowledge of European ETH
quette of correspondence
MY MEETING.
Principally as the clock on one OF
the government buildings struck 2:3O
knocked for admittance at the large,
oueerly constructed gate through
which an entrance to the Aguinaldo
mansion is gained. Slowly and noisily
il opened by a native sentinel, on
either side of whom stood two other
guards clad in insurgent uniform and
heavily armed | acquainted them
with the fact that Mrs. Aguialdo had
gracieusly granted me the privilege OF
seeing her at that hour, and they were
presumably previously informed of the
fact. for, as soon as 1 mentioned her
name they bowed respectfully and mo-
toned me to pass into the garden.
After giving the customary signal, a
male attendant sopened the door and,
examining my card and the note from
NIrs Aguinaldo, he led me into spa
cious room, with high ceilings and
splendid furnishings, which forciDly
reminded me of those which decorate
French homes. The floor was covered
with a handsomely designed French
carpet and the draperies and bric-a-
brac would do honorable service in any
home.
q rustling Of skirts warned me of my
hostess approach. She was preceded
Inv a man of refined and gentlemanly
hearing. whom 1 afterward found out
was a relative and one Of the sscre-
taries, of General Aguinaldo himself.
He spoke English fluently and acted as
Interpreter Mrs. Aguinaldos appear
ance was certainly a surprise to me.
had expected to see someone very
Young and attractive, as many of the
Filipino women are beautiful. To the
latter requirement Mrs. Aguinaido an
s,verad very satisfactorily, but in the
matter of years of age, fully fourteen
wears older than her husband. she
dresses in the graceful. semi-tight-fit-
ting gowns which are the prevailing
Philippine mode, and her dresses are
ali made of the finest silk. Her face
is very pleasant and her hair, which IS
as glossy as satin and very thick and
long. is worn brushed back from the
face and twisted into a loose knot at
the crown of the head. 1t is genuine
blasphemy. those stories about Mrs.
Aeuinaldo's being bald-headed, for the
Injurious mass of black hair that
crowns her head is certainly triumph
in hirsute glory.
HER CONVERSATION.
rose as The lady and her secretary
entered the room. She bowed most
cordially, after which she motioned me
to be seated.
well" said she, what can 1 say to
interest you?
Il assure you, Sonora, that your peo-
nile will receive the utmost considera-
tion at the hands of the people of the
Tinted States" your correspondent
ventured, in a consolatory tone. Now,
will YOU not tell me something about
YOUR husband-that is, his home life?'
sSenor Aguinaldo ct home is the
kindest man in the world, but he is
ambitious. 1t has been the dearest
wish of his life ever since l knew him
to see his people independent. and
when we were enjoying the blessings