The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1903-11-18

- knlttlhs'
TOfS John Mansfield, retired
merchant, Alderman and Mayor OF
Pmperne looked up from his paper.
"a discovery, my dear?' he said,
assuming his best magisterial manner.
pray what is the nature of this re-
mRrkable occurrence"
II find that Miss Ansom has photo
graph of yourself which she treasures
in secret"
What do you mean, my dear" ex-
claimed Mr.. Mansfield.
''ThIs morning." explained Mrs.
Mansfield, II entered Miss Ausom'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 drawer. n photograph
fell to the floor. She snatched 1t up.
flung it into the drawer and closed it.
but not before | had recognized it us
your photograph. l pretended not to
have noticed the photo. proflrrin3 to
have an explanation from yOu."
Mr.. Mansfield was the picture Of
helpless amGZemcnt.
Miss An ON, it must be explained,
was bright ana charming youns lady.
whom Mrs. Mansfield had recently en-
gagged as 4 companion.
II am quite Mt Il loss to explain the
affair" said Mr. Mansfield, in tones
quite unlike those of the Mayor of
Pimperne. Possibly it was given to
her by mutual friend
'Then why should she make q mys-
terry of 1t, and sloat over it in private!"
demanded Mrs. Mansfield, grimly
"My dear" said Mr.. Mansfield with
a return of dignity, Il do not under
stand you. If mistake not it was
something she hid in the drawer which
she gloated' over, not the photograph"
II am not SUI, which it was" said
Mrs. Mansfield, with strained calm
ness.
Now that the first shock of amaze
ment was over Mr.. Mansfelds pomp-
osity returned rapidly.
"Ah, very possible, my dear, Miss
Ansom, whom have every reason to
think is young lady OF good discern
ment and sound judgment, has found
something in my public life which She
has been good enough 10 admire. Miss
AnsOm has rad 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 Il noble borough. What
more natural. then. that this young
lady, seeing the portrait of n gen
tleman clad in the robes and insignia
of the Office OF the chief magistrate of
this borough, displayed in the photog-
raphcrs window, and. recognizing in
that gentleman myself. should pu:-
chase that Photographic"
Mrs. Mansfield listened with irliaoy-
able features.
"A very good explanation" she com
mentetl, "if 1t had been one of your
official photographs. But the one in
Miss Ansom's possession is one of
those You had taken about two years
ago. before you We're elected Mayor
We ordered only a few OF them, re-
member. and thought we had dis.
posed 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.. Mans
field, with aspc?Ity. "On your own
confession you only saw It for an in
slant. How can you be certain that it
was photograph of myself?"
'If you think my eyes deceived me,
perhaps You will believe your own!
The photo Is stlll In the drawer. Miss
Ansom has had no opportunity of re-
moving it. for sent her on an errand.
1t IL In the first drawer Of her dress
Ing table, If you wish TO satisfy your
curiosity"
Mrs. Mansfield, do you think that
j am going to steal into lady's room
and pTy Into her private affalrs?" cried
the Magistrate, rising. You forget
yourself, madam
Mr.. Mansfield went upstairs in high
dudseon to make some alteration In
MS dress preparatory to going out.
lie was forced 10 acknowledge him.
self quite at loss to account for that
photo being In Miss Ansom's posses.
sion. which admission was rather ex.
traordinary on his part
He prided hlmse.: Oh his keen In.
sight. his strict impartlallty ard his
frmness In discnarging his maglsterlal
duties. But an exhibition OF these
qualities was not cohlaed to the bench.
OF the latter lie had made a lavish
display In his home. as Mrs. Mans.
field found TO her cost.
II was only twelve months ago that
his unbendIng will had driven their
only son, Jack. TO South Africa.
Mr. Mansfield had determined that
his son should marry rank and beauty
In the person OF daughter OF loca
inggnate.
But handsome Jack Mansfield elect
ell - manage his own matrimonial
affairs. and upset all his fathers brxl
liant plans by falling In love with Q
pretty nobody. goyerness in hous,
where ne was visiting.
Finding all arguments. persuasloni
and commands alike useless. Mr.. Mans
field finally told his son he must elthsl
fall in WIN his wishes or leave hi,
homo forever and look for no fur
ther assistance from himself. JacI