The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-03-31
THE WOMAN IN WHITE
BY WILLIAM w. COLLINS.


to her. proved 10 he Miss Fairles for
mer governess. Mrs. Vesey who had been
briefly described 10 me by my lively COM
panion at the breakfast table, as poss-
essed OF "all the cardinal virtues. and
counting for nothing" / can do little
more than offer my humble testimony 10
the truthfulness Of Miss Halcombes
sketch OF the old lady's character. Mrs.
Vesey looked the personifcation OF hui
man composure and female amiability.
calm enjoyment OF a calm existence
beamed I'm drowsy smiles on her plump.
placid face Some OF us rush through
life, and some OF us saunter through life.
Mrs Vesey sat through life. Sat I'm the
house. early and late sat in the garden;
sat I'm unexpected window-seats In passa-
ges; sat (on camp-stooD when her
friends tried 10 take her out walking;
sat before she looked at anything be-
fore she talked Of anything. before she
answered Yes, or No. 10 the common
est question-always with the same serene
smile on her lips. the same vacantly at
tentive turn OF her head, the same snugly
comfortable position OF her hands ana
arms, under every possible change OF
domestic circumstances A mild n com
plant, an unutterably tranquil and harm
less old lady, who never by any chance
suggested the idea that she had been ac-
tualiy alive since the hour OF her birth.
Nature has SO much TO do in this world.
and is engaged in generating such a vast
variety OF co-existent productions that
she must surely be now and then too
Hurried and confused 10 distinguish be-
tween the different processes that she IL
carrying on at the same time Starting
from this point OF view, IL will always
remain my private persuasion that Nature
was absorbed In making cabbages when
Mrs. Vesey was born, and that the good
lady suffered the consequences OF a veg
etabie preoccupation in the mind OF the
mother of us ALL
Now, Mrs. Vesey." said Miss Hal
combe. looking brighter. sharper and
reader than ever, by contrast with the
undemonstratlve old lady at her side
what will you have? A cutlet?"
Mrs. Vesey crossed her dmpled hands
on the edge OF the table: smiled placdly;
and said. Yes. dear"
What is that opposite Mr. Hartright7
Boiled chicken. is IL not? thought YOU
liked boiled chicken better than outlet
Mrs. Vesey?"
Mrs. Vesey took her dlmpled hands off
the edge OF the table and crossed them
on her lap instead nodded contempla-
lively at the boiled chicken. and said.
Yes. dear"
Well, but which will you have today?
snail Mr.. Hartright give you some chick
en-? or shall l give YOU some cutlet?"
Mrs. Vesey put one OF her dimpled hands
back again on the edge OF the table. hesi-
tated drowsily, and said, Which you
please, dear"
Mercy on me! It's question for your
taste. my good lady, not for mine. Sup
pose you have a little OF both? and sup
pose you begin with the chicken because
Mr.. Hartright looks devoured by anxiety
to carve for you"
Mrs. Vesey put the other dimpled hand
back oo the edge OF the table. frightened
dimly, one moment; went out again, the
next; bowed obedienty: and said IF you
please. sir
Surely mnld compliant an unutter-
ably tranquil and harmless old lady? But,
enough, perhaps, for the present. of Mrs.
Nesey.
(To he Contlnued)