The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1901-04-05

of great grief to Mrs. Mansfield. but an
her tears, plcadiugs ana reproachcs could
not prevail on her husband to recnt. and
Us time rolled on her opportunities ceased.
Having dressed himself to his satisfac
tion. MIR. Mansfield left the room
Suddenly his progress was checked 10y
the sight of wide open door. What
tempting hcnd could have left the door
of Miss Au>om's room SO inYitugly open,
displaying, as il did. the very drawer in
which the much discussed photograph
was supposed TO lie?
Mrs. Mansfield had, as she we'll knew.
struck her husbands weak spot when she
mentioned curiosity.
1t would hc the work of a moment"
he reflected. TO take just one glance into
that drawer 10 satisfy myself of the truth
Of James story
With cautious look round he noise
lcsSly entered the room, partially closing
the door behind him. He opened the
drawer boldly, uud-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 re had taken about two years
ago.
Horror! Somebody was coming!
y light step on the stairs and a sweet
voice humming the refrain of a song her
aided the approach of Miss Ansom her
{ self.
What was to bc done? Gould he allow
her to find him in her room. prying about
like a curious houscmaid? lie. Alder
man Mansfield. mayor of Pimpcrne,
There was only one thing to be done lie
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. "ln few minutes She win
leave the room. Then | can slip out un
observed"
Everything, no doubt would have hap
pened just rs he wished had Tiny, Mrs.
Manshcld's darling pug, not followed
Miss Ansom into the room.
The spirit of investigation was strong
in Tiny. In the course of his present cx-
plorations he naturally looked under the
bed. He Immediately sent up an ear
! splitting series OF barkS and yclps. at the
same time dancing about with every ca
nine token of delight
Mr.. Mansfield responded to Tiny's joy
hearing Miss Ansom's expressions of sur
/ prise and that She was approaching the
bed 10 learn the cause of ,l'uy's excite
ment, he slowly emerged with a very red
face and n very rullled appearance gencr-
ally.
Don't he alarmed. Miss Ansom. beg"
he cried, seeing that that lady looked
dangerously like shrieking "Er-my
unexpected appearance fills you with
amazement, no doubt"
MIR. Mansfield" she calculated in
tones of incredulous astoniShmcnt.
Fri must of course explain and
humbly apologize for my despicable con
duct"
Ills worship then proceeded with abrupt
and jerky sentences, quite devoid of their
usual tlowcry 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, have photographs of other
members of the family as we'll"
Mr.. Mansfield gazed at them in aston
ishment. They were pictures of his wife
and sonl
why, who gave you these, Miss An
SOM"
Jack" she replied simply with low,
cred eyeIids and Il pretty flush on her
face.
jack he cried My SON."
yes" she whispered.
But II don't understand! l was
not aware that you had ever met him!
He is in South A~a"'
1T was for my Sake he went there"
she replied softly.
There was silence for few minutes.
Then you are the young-cr-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 if he still
proved obstinate she would of course
leave the house and perhaps this morn
ing's ridiculous adventure might be men
toned, and-ycs, he would he mcrciful.
"Well, Miss Ansom, | need hardly say
that your story has astonished me be-
yond measure, but 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, | regard you
with feelings Of paternal affection. We
must write to that young scamp and
have him home, Meanwhi.c'-
With cry of JOY Miss Ansom flung
her arms around his neck and imprinted
kiss on his nose.
At that moment the door opened, and
Mrs Mansfield stood on the threshold
with hands upliftcd in horror. She could
not have timed her entrance with greater
precision had she been waiting with eye
at the keyholc.
"Johu. Miss Ansom" she gasped.
Mr. Mansfield looked frightened.
"My dear" he cried ncryousy, II am
! going to write and tell Jack to come
/ home. This young woman has promised
! to he his wife, She is, in fact. the young
i lady about whom we had that foolish
+ quarrel
1t took Mr.. Mansfield quite quarter
/ of an hour to make his wife understand
! clearly the facts of the ease, but when
she did understand she burst into tears
and rapturousy embraced Miss Ansom
! assuring her Of her undyug affection.
Mr.. Mansfield at length managed to
slip away, congratulating himself on the
/ success with which he had cXtricatcd
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.
-, I.,,, ,,al, . ..