Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1919-11-11


left to await the lady. in room like
an elegant well-the Johnsons' re
ception room"
Mrs. Johnson came I'm, breathing no.
dceably; and her round head, smooth
ly but economically decorated with
the hair of an honest woman, seemed
to be lingering far in he background
or the Alpine bosom which took pre-
cedence of the rest of her everywhere;
but when she was all in the room, 1T
was 20 be seen that her breathing was
the result of hospitable haste to greet
the visitor, and her hand suggested
that she had paused for only the brief
est additions. George accepted this
cold, damp lump mechanically.
Mr.. ANDERSON mean Mr.. Nina
fer!" she exclaimed. I'm really de-
lighted; / understood you asked for
me. Mr.. Johnson's out of the city,
but Charles downtown and I'm look
ing for him at any minute, now. and
he'll be so pleased that you"
II didn't want to see Charlie"
George said. II want"
DO sit down." the hospitable lady
urged him. seating herself upon the
sofa. "Do sit 5.own."
mo, thank you. I wish"
Surely you're not going to run
away again. when you've just comet
Do sit down, Mr.. Minafer. / hope
you're all well at your house and at
the dear old Majors, too. He's look
ing"
Mrs. Johnson" George said, in a
strained loud voice which arrested her
attention Immediately, so that she was
abruptly sllenced, leaving her sur
prised mouth open. Mrs. Johnson,
have come to ask you few questions
which l would like you to answer, If
you please"
She became grave at once. Ger
tainly, Mr.. Minafer. Anything l can"
He interrupted sternly, yet his
voice shook in spite of its sternness.
"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 conyer-
sation was very pleasant one, If we
were talking of your mother, be-
cause"
Again he interrupted. "My aunt
has told me what the conversation vir-
tually was, and don't mean to waste
any tine, Mrs. Johnson. You were
talking about a." Georges shoulders
suddenly heaved uncontrollably; but
he went fiercely on: You were discuss
ing a scandal that involved my moth
er's name"
''Mr. Minafer!"
isn't that the truth?"
81 don't feel called upon to answer,
Mr.. Minafer," she said with visible
agitation. 81 do not consider that you
have any right"
"My aunt told me you repeated this
scandal to her"
said that" Mrs. johnson returned
sharply. Il did not repeat a scandal
of any kind to your aunt and think
you are mistaken in saying she told
you l did. We may have discussed
some matters that have been topic
of comment about town"
"Yesr' George cried. 81 think you
may have! That's what Pm here
about, and what 1 intend to"
''Don't tell me what you intend,
please" Mrs. Johnson interrupted
crlsply. "And 1 should prefer that you
would not make your voice quite so
loud in this house, which / 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
considerate of me-she may have told
you that we discussed some topic as !
have mentioned, and possibly that
would have been true. If / talked IL
over with her, you may be sure 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 Godi" said George. 81 can't
stand this"
"You have the option of dropping
the subject Mrs. Johnson suggested
tartly, and she added: ''Or of leaving
the house."
"Tll do that soon enough, but first
I mean 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 j
had perfect right to discuss the sub.
ject with your aunt. Other people"
"other people!" the unhappy George
repeated vieiously. ''Thet's what ]
want to know abOut-these other PEG
plei You say you know of other peo-
pie who talk about this
II presume they do"
/ "How manyY
"What?"
81 want to know how many other
people talk about it?'
Dear. dear!" she protested. How
should / know that?"
huNSu eVu hcdIu any DOuy LlSu-
ton It'll"
Il presume so"
"Well, how many have you heard 2
Mrs. Johnson was becoming more
annoyed than apprehensive, and she
showed il. Really, this isn't court
ROOM" she said. "And I'm not de-
PENDANT In libel suit, eitherI"
The unfortunate young man lost
what remained of his balance. 'You
may bel" he cried. 81 intend to know
just who's dared to say these things,
if have TO force my way into every
house in town. and I'm going TO make
them take every word of it backl
mean to know the name of every SIAN
derer that's spoken of this matter to
you and OF every tattler you've passed
1t on to yourself. / mean TO know
You'll know something pretty