The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1919-11-14

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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 silenced. leaving her sur
prised mouth open. Mrs. johnson, I
have come to ask you few questions
which would like you to answer. IL
you please"
She became grave at once. Ger
tainiy. Mr.. Minafer. Anything can"
He interrupted sternly. yet his
voice shook in spite Of its sternness.
you were talking with my Aunt Fam
ny about my mother this afternoon"
At this Mrs. johnson uttered an in
voluntary gasp. but she recovered
herself. 'Then I'm sure our conver-
sation was a very pleasant one. IL we
were talking of your mother. be-
cause"
Again he interrupted. my aunt
has told me what the conversation vir-
tua!ly 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 on: You wore discuss
ing a scandal that Involved my moth.
er's name."
"Mr. Minafer!"
isn't that the truthr
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."
II don't think your aunt can have
said that" Mrs. johnson returned
sharply. II did not repeat 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"
"Yes" George cried. II think you
may have! That's what I'm here
about. and what 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 happen to
own. Your aunt may have told you
though think 1t 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 l
have mentioned, and possibly that
would have been true. II I talked 1t
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 Godj" said George. II can't
stand this 7"
"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
mean to know"
IT am perfectly willing to tell you
anything you wish If you will remem-
ber to ask 1t quietly. I'll also take
the liberty Of reminding you that
had a perfect right to discuss the SUBJ
ject with your aunt. Other people"
"Other people /" the unhappy George
repeated viciously "That's what
want to know about-these other peo-
plel You say you know of other peo-
pie who talk about this
II presume they do"
"How manyY"
| "What?"
ri want to know how many other
people talk about itf"
Dear dearr she protested. "How
should I know thatf
"Haven't you heard anybody men
tion itT
"I presume So"
"Well, how many have you heardT
| Mrs. johnson was becoming more
annoyed than apprehensive. and she
showed 1t. REALLY, this isn't court
ROOM" she said. And I'm not de-
fendant in libel suit. eitherl"
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.
II have to force my way into every
house in town. and I'm going to make
them take every word of it backl 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
1t on to yourself. 1 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 housep
George stiffened 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 room at the
Majors without knocking. ANDERSON
was dressing.
"Good gracious. Georgier" he ex-