The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-08-23
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MWlPe.
Us A.1. An,.iAnn~
Why Mrs. Dsrkse Tearfully Called
Herself "A Horrid Cat"
6V Asls 0oYrj$on>'

wv going TO TO d 10Y suppose '"'
w Little Mira, Durkee, round
eyed with terrified wonder, whispered
the words TO me as we took off our
wraps In the room like the heart of a
rose" which Lillian had fitted up for
her baby girl In the heartbreaking years
when the child had been kept from her.
Since Marion's restoration to her
mother | had never crossed the thresh-
hold OF the room without a warm lit
tie feeling of thankfulness at my heart
that II was no longer a shrine tenanted
only by hesrtbroken prayers, but a liv-
ing human habitation. ] knew that eacl,
night Lillian slept with her little daugn-
ter in the rose -drapeN bed and rejoiccd
that after sc long a separation she had
the chance to "cuddle" the child for
whom she had so poignantly. longed.
Il haven't the slightest idea" l re-
turned, a bit untruthfully, for a vague
suspicion of Lillian's purpose had
| crossed my mind.
Wouldn't II be exciting If she sent
for the police" Mrs. Durkec queried,
a spot OF color glowing In either
cheek, her eyes dancing. | saw that
all the child nature in her, the little
girl who had never grown up, was on
tiptoe for anything that promised TO be
unusual. THAT would be a novelty
even for Mrs. Underwood, 10 give a din
ncr with police Officers back Of the
guests chairs" ~
~Inoousistent Mrs. Durkee.
What utter nonsense spoke
sharply, for | imagined there was a
tinge OF malice in her merriment, "ln
the first place Mrs. Underwood
wouldn't do such a thing, and in the
second place, even II she were %lunatic
enough to request II, 10 policeman
would come on such an GRAND
After all, we can prove nothing
against Mrs. .Allis. Mr.. Savarin saw
her looking al him through a car win
dow. She spoke to me at the station
tonight, simply saying, It's no use try
ing to fool me. you see. You're onl,
wasting your time trying, and then W
saw her 20 past this house in a tax
and look at It closely. Imagine going
to the police with a story like that, ask
0g for protection" q.
'BT didn't she look through tn,
window at Marion out at Marvin, and
then fire that pistol shot through the
glass at you1"
I could have laughed aloud at III,
little woman's Inconsistency. AT Mat
win she had ridiculed the theory tina
Mrs. Allis had fired the pistol sho
through the glass, yet here she was ad
vocating it because il bolstered up be
hope that there'd he something bizarr,
about the evenings entertainment.
why, don't you remember we mad
up. our minds that the person win
fired the shot was the man who escape
from the asylum and roamed the street
of Crest Haven, shooting off a revol
ver1" ! asked the question with as in
nocent an air as | could manage.
az Can Depend on You"
~ remember that Mrs. Underwoo'
didn't believe that version of To
thing" Mrs. Durkee replied, setting he
pretty childish mouth in an obstinate
line, land | Just believe she's going =
have the police here tonight. SO ther
now !"
There evidently is nothing more 4
be said" | rejoined, smiling at her, al
though secretly | was rather annoye'
at her pcrsistency in her absurd the
DRY. | could not forbear adding a eau
ton.
You won't hint to Mrs. underwood
that you think she is going to send TO
the police"
Mrs. Durkee drew herself up to he
full height Of less than five feet.
trust | know how TO behave
public" she said with such an air c
offended dignity that | did not kno'
whether to be sorry or amused.
"Of course YOU do" ! said. soothingl,
laying my hand caressingly on he
shoulder, Forgive me, won't you, fo
asking such a question, but I'm a littl
upset myself tonight"
The little woman's eyes filled wit
/. quick tears She is the most impulsiv
warmest- hearted little creature or
could find, and hd faults are all SUI,
face ones, She's incapable OF a pr,
- meditated unkindness.
1T is you who should forgive me, 81
) said. I'm Just a horrid cat to bottle
" YOU with my nonsense when you're s
r worried But | do hope that woma
won't trouble YOU any more. The COW
ardly beast-I wish | had the wringir
c Of her neck"
d | laughed | couldn't help it. An,
thing more homogeneous than little Mr.