The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-02-21
ing upon the walls were remarkable as

ing upon the walls were remarkable as
being the finest in any private collec-
tion in the country. Many were the visits
he had made to Italy to acquire those
queer-looking old medieval plates with
their crude coloring and rude inartistic
drawings. land certainly he was an ac-
! knowledged expert in ceramics.
The big red-shaded lamp in the center
of the table shed a soft light upon the
snowy cloth, the flowers and the glitter
ing silver, and as my hostess took her
seat she sighed slightly, and for the first
time asked of Ethelwynn.
Il haven't seen her for a week. - I was
compelled to admit. Patients have been
SO numerous that I haven't had time to
go to see her, except at hours when call
ing at a friends house was out Of the
question.
mother inquired, raising her eyes inquir-
| ingly to mine.
Yes, I've found them very agreeable
and pleasant
Him." the old lady calculated du-
biously. t'Well, don't. I met Mrs. Hen
mixer once, and must say that I did not
| care for her in the least. Ethelwynn is
very fond Of her, but to my mind she's
fast, and not at all a suitable companion
| for a girl Of my daughters disposition. 1t
may be that have an old woman's
prejudices, living as do in the country
| always, OUT somehow / can never DT1IlS
myself to like her"
Mrs. Mivart, like the majority Of elderly
| widows who have given up the annual
visit to London in the season, was a trifie
behind the times. More charming an OLD
lady could not be, yet in common with al
who vegetate in the depths Of rural Eng
land she was just a trif1e narrow minded
In religion, she found fault constantly
with the village parson, whom she declared
was guilty Of ritualistic practices. and on
| the subject of her daughters she be-
moaned the latter-day emancipation oil
women, which allowed them to go hithel
| and thither at their own free will. Like
all such mothers, she considered wealth
a, necessary adjunct to happiness, and II
| had been with her heartiest approval thai
Mary had married the unfortunate Courte.
nay, Notwithstanding the difference be.
tween the ages Of bride and bridegroom
In every particular the old lady was 9
typical specimen of the squire's widow; as
found in rural England to-day.
| Scarcely had we seated ourselves anC
had replied to her question when the
1 door opened and slim figure in deer
black entered and mechanically took hel
1 chair. She crossed the room, looking
straight before her, and did not notice my
/ presence until she had seated herself face
to face with me.
/ OF a sudden her thin, wan face lit ur
with a smile of recognition, and she cried
"Why, Doctor! Where did you come
] from? No one told me you were here
| and across the table she stretched out hel
hand in greeting.
| 81 thought you were reposing after youl
i long walk this morning, dear, SO I die
\ not disturb you" her mother explained
But needless Of the explanation she
| continued putting to me questions as
to when had left town, and the reason OF
my visit there To the latter returned
/ an evasive answer, declaring that had
run down because had heard that her
mother was not altogether well.
Yes, that's true" she said. Poor
mother has been very queer OF late. She
seems so distracted, and worries quite
1 unnecessarily over me- I wish you'd
/ give her advice. Her state causes me
/ considerable anxiety rs
Very well" said, feigning to laugh.