The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1919-10-16

"You were talking with my Aunt Fan
ny about my mother this afternoon"
At this Mrs. Johnson uttered an in
voluntary gasp, but she recovered
herself. "Then I'm sure our CONVEX
sation was a very pleasant one, if we
We're talking Of your mother, be-
cause"
Again he interrupted. my aunt
has told me what the conversation vir-
tually was, and I don't mean to waste
any time, Mrs. Johnson. You were
talking about a" Georges shoulders
suddenly heaved uncontrollably but
he went fiercely n "You were discuss
ing n scandal that involved my moth
er's name."
"Mr. Minaferw
"Isn't that the truth?"
II don't feel called upon to answer,
Mr.. Minafer." she said with visible
agitation. II do not consider that you
have any right"
"My aunt told me you repeated this
scandal to her"
Il don't think your aunt can have
said that" Mrs. johnson returned
sharply. II did not repeat n scandal
of any kind to your aunt and I think
you are mistaken in saying she told
You I did. We may have discussed
some matters that have been a topic
of comment about town"
Eyes" George cried. II think you
may have! That's what I'm here
about, and what l intend to-"
"Don't tell me what you intend,
please" Mrs. Johnson interrupted
crisply. "And I should prefer that you
would not make your voice quite so
loud in this house, which I happen to
own. Your aunt may have told you-
though / think it would have been very
unwise in her If she did, and not very
considerable Of me-she may have told
you that we discussed some topic as 1
have mentioned, and possibly that
would have been true. If I talked it
over with her, you may be sure I spoke
in the most charitable spirit, and
without sharing in other peoples dis
position to put an evil Interpretation
on what may be nothing more than
unfortunate appearances and"
my Cod" said George. II can't
stand this"
"You have the option Of dropping
the subject" Mrs. Johnson suggested
tartly, and she added: "Or Of leaving
the house."
"IIl do that soon enough, but first
I e to know"
II am perfectly willing to tell you
anything you wish If you will remem-
Der to ask it quietly. I'll also take
the liberty Of reminding you that I
had n perfect right to discuss the sub.
ject with your aunt. Other people"
"Other people!" the unhappy George
repeated viciously. "That's what I
want to know abOut-these other peo-
pie! You say you know of other pco-
pie who talk about this.''
II presume they do"
"How many?"
"What?"
II want to know how many other
people talk about it?"
Dear, dear!" she protested. "How
should I know that"
Haven't you heard anybody men,
ton it?'
II presume So"
"Well, how many have you heard?"
Mrs. johnson was becoming more
annoyed than a~pprehensive, and she
showed it. "Really, this isn't Il court
room," she said. "And I'm not q de-
PENDANT in a libel suit, cither"
The unfortunate young man lost
what remained of his balance. "You
may be !" he cried. II intend to know
just who's dared to say these things,
if I have to force my way into every
house in town, and I'm going to make
them take every word of it back! 1
mean to know the name of every SIAN
derer that's spoken of this matter to
you and of every tattler you've passed
it ON to yourself. l mean to- know"
"You'll know something pretty
quick! !" she said, rising with difficult
ty; and her voice was thick with the
sense Of insult. you'll know that
you're out in the street. Please to
leave my house!"
George stifrened sharply. Then he
bowed, and strobe out Of the door.
Three minutes later, disheveled and
perspiring, but cold all over, he burst
into his Uncle Georges oom at the
Majors without knocking. Anderson
was dressing.
"Good gracious, Georgie" he ex-
claimed, whats upT"
1--WE just come from Mrs. John
son's-across the street." George pant
ed.
"You have your own fastest" was
Amberson's comment. "But curious as
they are you ought to do something