Mrs. Wil Trapp lived in Dodge Center, a city in the center of Dodge County – about 15 miles west of Rochester in southeast Minnesota.

In 1866, the original agricultural community became the city of Dodge Center when the first railroad reached that point.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_Center,_Minnesota

In October of 1913, Mrs. Trapp received a postcard from Selma.

Selma mailed he postcard from Owatonna, a city and county seat of Steele County on the Straight River in southeast Minnesota.

The city adopted its name from the indigenous Dakota language for the Straight River – although local legends still persist about a mythical “Princess Owatonna”.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owatonna,_Minnesota

The face of the postcard is a subdued drawing of three finches posing around a large bell.

The bell is framed by a bell-rope and ivy leaves on vines.

There is no printed greeting on the face, which would make if usable for many occasions.

On the reverse, however, there is a printed greeting of “Hearty Good Wishes for the New Year”.

The lovely card was published by the English firm of Raphael Tuck & Sons; it was “Printed in Bavaria”.

Selma begins her written message by asking, “Excuse this card, won’t you”.

The apology must be related to the New Year’s Greeting in October.

It seems that Mrs. Trapp had extended an invitation to Selma – and Selma responds, “Thank you for the invitation.”

Unfortunately, Selma cannot accept the invitation immediately.

She writes, “Will let you know when you can expect us” and, “Not until mother gets back.”

At the top of the message block, Selma explains, “Mama left for Sylvan G. Tues.”  and “have not heard of her arrival”.

I do not know if “Sylvan G.” is a place or the name of a person.

Selma sends the postcard with “Love from Selma”.

IOne hopes that mother informed Selma of her arrival, that she returned safely, that Selma could report to Mrs. Trapp a day for a visit, and that the friends enjoyed their reunion.