Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1919-10-16
By Booth
Harrington

attention Immediately, so that she was
abruptly silenced, leaving her sur
prised mouth open. MRS. Johnson, /
have come to ask you a few questions
which I would like you to answer. If
you please"
She became grave at once. Ger
tainly, Mr.. Minafer. Anything I 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 ar in
voluntary gasp, but she recovered
herself. 'Then I'm sure our CONVEX
sation a a very pleasant one. If We
were talking of your mother, be-
cause"
Again ne interrupted. "My aunt
has told me what the conversation vir-
tually was, and / don't meal 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?"
Il 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"
"I don't think your aunt can have
said that" Mrs. Johnson returned
sharply. 81 did not repeat a 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,
"Yesi" George cried. 81 think you
may have! That's what I'm here
about, and what l intend to-"
Don't tell me what you intend,
please" Mrs. Johnson interrupted
crisply. Sand / 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
considerable Of me-she may have told
you that we discussed some topic as I
have mentioned, and possibly that
would have been true. If I 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. $" can't
stand this!"
"You have the option Of dropping
the subject" Mrs. johnson suggested
tartly, and she added: "Or Of leaving
the house."
It'll do that soon enough, but first
/ 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
had a 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 PEG
plel You say you know of other peo'
pie who talk about this
II presume they do"
"How manyY"
"What?"
II want to know how many other
people talk about it,"
"Dear, dearW she protested. SHOW
, should / know that2"
Haven't you heard anybody men
tion it,"
!, II presume So"
/ swell, how many have you heardg
Mrs. johnson was becoming more
annoyed than apprehensive, and she
showed it. "Really, this isn't a court
3 ROOM" she said. "And I'm not a de
! PENDANT in a libel suit, eitherl"
The unfortunate young man los
: what remained Of his balance. "Yol
may be" he cried. II intend to know
: just who's dared to say these things
IL I have to force my way into ever.
house in town, and I'm going to MAKE
/ them take every word of it backl
mean to know the name Of every.slan
: derer that's spoken of this matter Il
(; you and of every tattler you've passed
t it on to yourself. ! lei to know
8 "You'l know something prett.
t quickl" she said, rising with Difficult
d ty; and her voice was thick with tn,
sense Of insult. you'll know tina
$ you're out in the street. Please t
leave my housed"
George stiffened sharply. Then h,
bowed, and strobe out Of the door.
Three minutes later, disheveled AM
perspiring, but cold all over, he burs
into his Uncle Georges room at tn
d Majors without knocking. Anderson
was dressing.
" "Good gracious, Georgier' he ez
claimed, whats upT'
vi "Tve just come from Mrs. John
son's-across the street." George pant
ed.
"You have your own tastes !" wa
49, fnz~x ----a-..--