Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-03-17

The Snowy Haired Woman noticed
them as soon as they entered the
Quaint Little Dutch tea room. It was
an attractive little group. comprising
tall, striking brunette, dressed in a
Chartreuse suit. a willowy blonde,
with a big black picture hat, and a
petite girl, decidedly Frenchy, as TO
type. The Snowy Haired Woman was
glad when they chose the table next
to hers. She loved young people and
somehow she felt strangely interest
ed In this little group. one OF whom
she knew slightly. After they had
seated themselves and given their
order she turned TO her own cup Of
tea and resumed her interrupted
train OF thought.
It was the voice Of the Blonde that
aroused her, We'll, you can think
whatever you want about her, Janet"
she was saying, but /, for one. know
"a little more about her than you do.
and so I am not so easily fooled. She
isn't what you think she is. at all"
And the Blonde daintily dropped n
lump of sugar into her cup. Janet
squeezed a little lemon into her tea,
but. before she had time to reply, the
Blonde continued:
why, everyone IS talking scandu-
lousy about her and her affair with
that Blake boy. It's perfectly out
rageousl How any woman, with any
sense Of decency. can"
well. what else can you expect?"
interrupted the "Frenchy" girl. "she
has a brother in a penitentiary some
where out West. so understand. But
that Just reminds me! Have you girls
heard that the Singletons are going
TO separator
Honest? Who told you ques-
toned the Brunette and Blonde, in
unison, both leaning with renewed
interest across the table toward their
informant.
"Madge Overton told me the other
day" answered the 'Frenchy" girl
taking a tiny bite out OF her slice of
toast
Well, I'm not a BIT surprised" said
the Brunette, "as they say they fight
like dogs and cats"
YES. and I heard only the other
day." began the Blonde, stirring her
tea. "that--
The Snowy Haired Woman rose
from her chair. and, without invita-
ton, slipped into the vacant place at
her neighbours table. With well bred
case and charm Of manner, she said
quietly:
Pardon this interruption, my dears
but 1 know you won't mind an old
woman like me talking to you, will
you?"
Her smile was contagious. The 1T
tie group smiled back at her and nod
ded their pleasure. 1T was impossible
for me to witness quietly. your heart
less and bloodless manner of stabbing
your neighbors in the back" she
said. the gentle tones OF her warm
Southern voice taking the sting out OF
her words. Still smiling, she con-
tinued:
IF you girls, and all others who
gossip, would only realize the deadli-
ness Of your poisoned gossip arrows
which you point without discrimina-
ton at any one who happens to APP
pear above the horizon Of a gossip
loving public, you would cease being
archers for that destructive agent
Scandal. Idle gossip is one OF the
most wicked forms Of amusement, and
I firmly believe. will be one Of the
most severely punished Of sins"
The Snowy Haired Woman paused
Her listeners appeared very inter
ested. She continued:
THE only thing that will cause
you scandal mongers to be granted
any leniency when the time Of judg-
ment comes. will be because you SO
little realized the actual amount OF
deadly poison which you injected into
the lives and regulations of your ac-
Quaintances and friends by your idle
and brainless tolk."
Gossip. my dear girls. is the buz-