The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1901-04-05
MRS. MANSFIELD,
ST RAIT EGIST.
She Played Upon Her Husbands Van
ity to Accomplish "A Worthy
object.

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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
suming his best magisteral manner
''Pray what is the nature of this remark
able occurrcnceY
Il find that Miss Ansom has photo
graph of yourself, which she treasures in
secret"
What do you mean, my dcar?' ex-
claimed Mr.. Mansfield
This morning" explained Mrs Mans
field, Il 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 Il
photograph fell to the floor. She snatch
ed it up, flung it into the drawer and
closed it, but not before 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 amazement.
Miss Ansom, it must be explained, was
bright and charming young lady whom
Mrs. Mansfield had recently engaged as a
| companion.
Il am quite at a loss to explain the af-
fair" said Mr.. Mansfield in tones quite
unlike those of the mayor of Pimpcrne
/ Possibly it was given to her by "A mutual
friend"
"Then why should she make a mystery
of it and gloat over it in priyate?' 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, not the photograph
! 81 am not sure which it was" said
| Mrs Mansfield with strained calmness
Now that the first shock of amazement
/ was over Mr.. Manstield's pomposity re-
turned rapidly.
"Ah. very possible, my dear. Miss An
som, whom have every reason to think
| is young lady Of good discernment and
sound judgment, has found something in
Il 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 a noble bor-
ough. What more natural, then, that
this young lady, seeing the portrait of IA
gentleman clad in the robes and insignia
of the office of chief magistrate of this
borough displayed in the photographer $
window and, recognizing in that gentle
man myself, should purchase that photo.
graph?'
Mrs Mansfield listened with immova-
bic features.
"A very good explanation" she com
mcnted, IF it had been one of your olli-
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 remember, and /
thought we had disposed of them all The
question is, how did Miss Ansom obtain
one? did not give it to her
Then | 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 a 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 crrand. 1t is in
the first drawer Of her dressing table if
you wish To satisfy your curiosity"
Mrs. Mansfield, do you think that
am going to steal into a lady's room and
pry into her private alTairs?' cried the
magistrate, rising. You forget your
self. madam"
Mr. Mansfield went up stairs in high
dudgcon 20 make some alteration in his
dress preparatory to going out.
He was forced to acknowledge himself
quite at 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 impartialty and his frmucss in
discharging his magistcrial duties But
an exhibition Of these qualities was not
confined to the bench or the latter he
had made Il lavish display in his home
as Mrs Mansfield found to her cost.
1t was only y months ago that his
intending will had driven their only
sob, JacE<to South Africa.
Mr. Mansfield had determined that his
son should marry rank and beauty in the
person of daughter Of 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 a pretty nobody
whom Mr. Mansfield had never even set
eyes on, a governess in n house where he
was visiting
Finding all arguments. pcrsuasions and
ommands 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