Mourning Elderly Lady: Lost Photo #1

Elderly Lady, possibly in 1890's mourning dress.
Approximately 60 to 70 years old
Unmarked photo
She has a solemn sad look to her. 
I wonder what she is holding in her hand.

Same elderly lady with hands uncrossed

I recently went into an antique store in La Mesa, California and inquired to the sales clerk if they held any personal photo collections that I could look at.  The clerk led me to a back room where a roll up desk revealed a small collection of photo's mainly dated in the 1880's- to early 1900's.  The clerk allowed me to go through the stack as long as I promised to put them back neatly.

As I went through the photos, I had no idea what I was looking for, but decided I would purchase anything that caught my attention, what I thought was unique, and what I thought needed a home with me while I try to date, and possibly identify each photo.

I am by no means an expert, and as a matter of fact just interested in learning more about each photo, the person in the photo, and trying to discover any piece of evidence as to finding its way back to the person's descendant.

So this is my first post and hoping that if anyone has possible information or insight into the photos I post, please post a comment or drop me a line.