Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1919-12-05
By Booth
Harrington
the dear old Majors, too. He's loo

| Mrs. Johnson" George said, In a
strained loud voice which arrested her
attention Immediately. so that she was
abruptly slenced, 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.. Mnafer. 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. "'The- Tn sure our CONVEX
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 time, Mrs. Johnson. You were
talking about a." Georges shoulders
| suddenly heaved uncontrollably but
he went fiercely on: "You were discuss
ing scandal that involved my moth
er's name"
"Mr. Mlnafer!"
isn't that the TRUTH"
IT 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."
Il 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 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
crlsply. "And 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 IL 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 1t
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 Godj" 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"
.'I'll do that soon enough, but first
mean to know"
II am perfectly willing to tell you
anything you wish if you will remem-
Der 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 peoplel" 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 many?"
"What?"
II want to know how many other
| people talk about it?'
"Dear. dearl' she protested. "How
should know that?'
Haven't You heard anybody men,
ton itY'
II presume So"
"Well, how many have you heardT
| Mrs. Johnson was becoming more
annoyed than apprehensive, and she
room," she said. "And I'm not a de-
PENDANT In libel suit. either!"
| The unfortunate young man lost
what remained of his balance. you
may ber he cried. II intend to know
just who's dared to say these things,
| IL udNc W AoiCC my WY AhtV S'SAJ
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 to
| you and Of every tattler you've passed
it on to yourself. / mean to know"
"You'll know something pretty
quiclk!" 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 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
L