Bogalusa enterprise and American. (Bogalusa, La.) 1918-19??, 1919-12-18
By Booth
Harrington
the dear old Majors, too. He's loo

MIS-. Johnson George SAID, IN
strained loud voice which arrested her
attention Immediately, so that she was
abruptly silenced, leaving her sur
prised mouth open. Mrs. johnson, /
have come to ask you few questions
which would like you to answer, if
you please"
She became grave at once. Ger
tainly, Mr.. Minafer. Anything can"
He interrupted sternIy. 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. "The7 I'm sure our CONVEX
satiOn was a 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 time, 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. 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 / think
you are mistaken in saying she told
you did. We may have discussed
some matters that have been topic
of comment about town"
"Yes!" George cried. 81 think you
may haveI That's what Pm here
about, and what intend to-"
Don't tell me what you intend,
please" Mrs. Johnson interrupted
crisply. "And l 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
considerable Of me-she may have told
you that we discussed some topic as
have mentioned, and possibly that
would have been true. II talked it
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. 81 can't
stand thisr
''You have the option Of dropping
the subject" Mrs. Johnson suggested
tartly, and she added: "Or of leaving
the house."
'Pll do that soon enough, but first
I mean to know"
II am perfectly willing to tell you
anything you wish If you win remem-
Der to ask it quietly. TIL 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
/ IT presume they do"
"How manyT'
ssWhatG"
81 want to know how many other
people talk about it'll"
'Dear, dearm she protested. "How
should know thatY
Haven't you heard anybody men
ton it,"
Il. presume So"
swell, 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 bot de
PENDANT in a libel suit, either"
The unfortunate young man LOST
. what remained Of his balance. "You
may bel' he cried. II 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 1t back
mean to know the name OF every sian
derer that's spoken Of this matter tC
: you and Of every tattler you've passed
it on to yourself. mean to know
you'll know something pretty
t Quickl" she said, rising with diffienl
! ty; and her voice was thick with thu
: sense Of insult. you'll know tina
) you're out in the street. Please Il
leave my housed"
George stiffened sharply. Then n
: bowed, and strobe out of the door.
Three minutes later, disheveled ant
!. perspiring, but cold all over, he burs
: into his Uncle Georges room at tn
/ Majors without knocking. Anderson
was dressing.
> sGood gracious, Georgiel' he ex
claimed, whats up3"
' ave Just come from Mrs. John