The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-07-16
/ THE WOMAN IN WHITE
81 BY WILLIAM W. COLLINS.
BY WILLIAM w. COLLINS.

nanied bv the intermittent knocking OF
hammer nearer at hand. These were all
the sights and sounds Of life that encoun-
tered me when | entered the square.
l walked at once To the door OF Number
Thirteen-the number Of Mrs Cathericks
house-and knocked, without waiting 10
consider beforehand how | might best
present myself when | got in. The hrst
necessity was 70 see Mrs. Caeherick. 1
could then Judge, from my own observa-
ton, Of the safest and easiest manner or
approaching the object Of my visit.
The door was opened by melancholy
mddle-aged woman servant
gave her my card. and asked II could
see Mrs. Catherick. The card was taken
10 the front parlor and the servant re-
turned with a message requesting me 10
mention what my business was.
Say. II YOU please. that my business
relates TO Mrs. Cathericks daughter" !
replied. This was the best pretext !
could think OF. on the spur Of the mo-
ment. to account for my visit.
The servant again returned TO the par
lor again returned and this time begged
me. with look Of gloomy amazement. TO
walk In
| entered a little room with faring
paper. OF the largest pattern. on the
walls. Chairs. tables chlffonier. and sofa,
all cleaned with the glutinous brightness
OF cheap upholstery. on the largest table.
in the middle OF the room. stood a smart
Bible. placed exactly In the center, on
red and yellow wooden mat; and at the
side of the table nearest to the window.
with a little knitting basket on her lap.
and a wheezing. blear-eyed old spaniel
crouched al her feet. there sat an elderly
woman. wearing black net cap and
black silk gown. and having slate -colored
mittens on her hands. Her iron gray hair
hung I'm heavy bands on either side OF
her face: her dark eyes looked straight
forward. with a hard defiant. implacahlc
stare. She had fun. square cheeks;
long. firm chin. and thick. sensual. color
less lips Her figure was stout and sturdy,
and her manner aggressively self f-pos-
sessed. This was Mrs. Catherick
You have come 10 speak 10 me about
my daughter" sno said. before ! could
utter word on my side. BE so good as
TO mention wat 80 have 10 say.
The tone Of her voice was as hard. as
defiant. as implacable as the expression OF
her eyes She pointed to a chair. and
looked me all over attentively. from head
10 foot. as / sat down I'm II. | saw that
my only chance with this woman was 10
speak to her I'm her own tone, and 10
meet her. at the outset OF our interview,
on her own ground
You are aware" l said. that your
daughter has been lostg"
Il am perfectly aware of H. +"
Have you felt any apprehension that
the misfortune OF her loss might be fol-
lowed by the misfortune OF her death?'
Yes. Have you come to tell me she
is dead7'
II have
"Why?"
| She put that extraordinary question
| without the slightest change in her voice,
| har
have appeared more perfectly uncon-
cerned II / had told her OF the death OF
the goat in the inclosure outside.
"Why?" | repeated. do you ask why
come here TO tell you Of your daughter s
death?"
YES. What interest have you In me.
or In her? How do you come TO know any
| thing about my daughterr'
'In this way: met her on the night
when she escaped from the asylum: and
| assisted her in reaching place OF safe
ty"
You did very wrong"
II am sorry 10 hear her mother say sc"
Her mother does say so. How do you
| know she Is dead?'
II am not at liberty TO say how know
| II but do know H.
Are you at liberty 10 say how you
found out my address,"
/ certainly I got your address from
Mrs. Clements"
Mrs Clements Is a foolish woman. Did
she tell you TO come here'''
"She did not"
Then, ask you again. why did YOU
Gomez"
AS she was determined TO have her
answer. gave IL 10 her In the plainest
possibnle form.
II came" | said. because ! thought
Anne Cathericks mother might have some
natural interest in knowing whether she
was alive or dead
Just So" said Mrs. Catherick with
additional self possession. Had you nc
other motive7'
hesitated The right answer 10 that
question was not easy "a find. at a mo-
ments notice.
"If you have no other motive, she
! went on deliberately taking off her slate
colored mittens and rolling them up, II
have only TO thank YOU for your visit
and 10 say that will not detain you here
any longer. Your information would he
more satisfactory II YOU were willing &c
explain how you became possessed Of II
However, II iustifes me, / suppose, IN
going into mourning There is not much
alteration necessary I'm my dress, as you
see When | have changed my mitten'
I shall be all in black
CTo BE Continued)
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-, ANup ctNrN NEape