Cleveland County herald., 1919-12-04
By Booth Tarkiingtoll i

| abruptly SllenceQ, leaVlnS HeI sur | prised mouth open. Mrs. Johnson, have come to ask you few questions which I would like you to answer, if you please"
 She became grave at once. Ger tainly Mr. Minafer. Anything can"
 He interrupted sternly, yet his voice shook in spite of it's 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 Pm sure our conver- 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?"
 q don't feel called upon to answer Mr. Minafer." she said with visible agitation. "I do not consider that you have any right"
 My aunt told me you repeated this scandal to her.
 q don't think your aunt can have said that" Mrs. Johnson returned sharply. T did not repeat a scandal of any kind to your aunt and 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. "I 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 should prefer that you would BOt 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 GodJ" said George ''I can't stand this!"
 You have the option of dropping the subject" Mrs. Johnson suggested tartly, and she added: .Or of leaving the house,
 'I'll do that soon enough, but frs I mean to know"
 'I am perfectly willing to tell yor anything you wish if you will remem Der to ask it quietly. I'll also take the liberty of reminding you that had perfect right to discuss the sub ject with your aunt. Other people,
 "Other people," the unhappy George repeated viciously. That's what want to know about-these other peo pie! You say you know of other peo pie who talk about this T presume they do." "How many:"
 "WhatY
 q want to know how many other people talk about it?"
 Dear, dear!" she protested. "Hov should I know that?" , Haven't you heard anybody men tion it?"
 q presume so." "Well, how many have you heard? ? Mrs. Johnson was becoming more annoyed than apprehensive, and sht showed it. Really, this isn't a court room," she said. And I'm not a de , fendant in libel suit, either!" , The unfortunate young man lost what remained of his balance. "You may be!' he cried. q intend to know just who's dared to say these things if I have to force my way into every house in town, and Pm going to make them take every word of it back! mean to know the name of every slau- derer that's spoken of this mattey to you and of every tattler you've passed 1t 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 stiffened sharply. Then he bowed, and strode 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, Georgie!" he ex- claimed, whats up3"
 i've just come from Mrs. John son's-across the street." George pant ed.
 "You have your own tastes!"' was