The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-05-11

voice nummlng the refrain OF q song~her-
| aided the approach of Miss Ansom her.
self:
What was to be done? Could he allow
| her to find him in her room, prying about
like a curious housemaid? He, Alder
/ man Mansfield, mayor Of Pimperne!
There was only one thing to be done. He
hid under the bed.
Miss Ansom entered and closed the
door behind her. Mr.. Mansfield could
hear her moving about the room, still
singing lightly to herself.
''She is taking off her hat and jacket"
he thought. "In few minutes she will
leave the room. Then can slip out I'M
observed"
Everything, no doubt, would have hap
pened just as he wished had Tiny, Mrs.
Mansfield's darling pug, not followed
Miss Ansom into the room.
The spirit Of investigation was strong
In Tiny. In the course of his present ex-
plorations he naturally looked under the
bed. He Immediately sent up an ear
splitting series of barks and yelps, at the
same time dancing about with every ca
nine token of delight.
Mr.. Mansfield responded to Tiny's joy
full recognition with silent curses, and,
hearing Miss Ansom's expressions of sur
prise and that she was approaching the
bed to learn the cause of Tiny's excite
ment, he slowly emerged with very red
face and very rutiled appearance gener-
ally.
Don't be alarmed, Miss Ansom. beg"
he cried. seeing that that lady looked
dangerously like shrieking. "Er-my
unexpected appearance fills you with
amazement, no doubt"
"Mr. Mansfield" she calculated In
tones of incredulous establishment.
Ell must of course explain and
humbly apologize for my despicable con-
duct"
His worship then proceeded with abrupt
and jerky sentences, quite devoid of their
usual howery trimmings, to explain his
presence in her room.
Greatly to his relief she did not look
very angry when he had finished. She
said nothing at first, but, opening the IA
tai drawer, produced somewhere from its
depths two more photographs, which she
put into his hands, saying:
you see, l have photogra phs Of other
members of the family Us we'll"
Mr.. Mansfield gGzed at them in aston
ishment. They were pictures of his wife
and son!
why. who gave you these, Miss An
som%
Jack" she replied simply. with low
cred eyelids and pretty flush on her
face.
Jack" be cried. "My sonp'
YES" she whispered.
but IL don't understand was
not aware that you had ever met him!
He is in South African
1T was for my sake he went there"
she replied softly.
There was silence for a few minutes.
Then you are the young-er-lady
whom my son wished to marry in oppo-
sition to my wishes" said Mr.. Mansfield
severely.
Yes" she murmured.
Mr.. Mansfield thought deeply for the
next few minutes. After all he liked
Miss Ansom immensely, and il he still
proved obstinate she would of course
leave the house and perhaps this morn
ing's ridiculous adventure might be men,
toned, and-yes, he would be merciful.
"Well, Miss Ansom, need hardly say
that your story has astonished me be-
yond measure, but l will not disguise
from you the fact that during the time
you have been with us you have won my
highest esteem, and, in fact. l regard you
with feelings of paternal affection. We
must write to that young scamp and
have him home. Meanwhile"-
With cry Of joy Miss Ansom flung
her arms around his neck and imprinted
a kiss on his nose.
At that moment the door opened, and
Mrs. Mansfield stood on the threshold
with hands uplifted in horror. She could
not have timed her entrance with greater
precision had she been waiting with eye
at the keyhole.
"John! Miss Ansom" she gasPed.
Mr.. Mansfield looked frightened.
"AIy DEAR" be cried nervously, 81 am
going to write and tell Jack to come
home. This young woman has promised
to be his wife. She is, in fact, the young
lady about whom we had that foolish
quarrel"
1t took Mr.. Mansfield quite n quarter
of an hour to make his wife understand
clearly the facts of the case, but when
she did understand she burst into tears
and rapturously embraced Miss Ansom,
assuring her of her undying affection.
Mr.. Mansfield at length managed to
slip away, congratulating himself on the
success with which he had extricated
himself from an unpleasant position.
After all. he was glad of an excuse to
welcome his boy home again.
But perhaps if he had heard what pass
ed between his wife and future daughter
in-law when they heard the hall door
close behind him he would have realized
that they had scored on all points.
"Dear. darling Mrs. Mansfield" cried
Miss Ansom, embracing Mrs. Mansfield
afresh How good Of you to have me
here rs your companion and then to de-
wise this clever plot! Why, it was quite
q drama?
"In which you played your part very
well. my DEAR" replied the old lady, pat
ting the girls cheek affectionately.-Chi-
cago Times Herald.