The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1920-01-29
By Booth
Harrington


abruptly silenced. leaving her sur
prised mouth open. Mrs. johnson, /
have come to ask you a few questions
which would like you to answer. II
you please"
She became grave az once. "Cer-
tainly. NJ. Ninater. Anything can
He interrupted sternly, yet his
voice shook in spite Of its sternness.
You were talklhg with my Aunt Fan
ny shout 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. II 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 we're
talking about a" Georges shoulders
suddenly heaved uncontrollabl, but
he went fiercely on: you were discuss
ing scandal that involved my moth
er's name"
"Mr. MInaferr'
isn't that the truthT-
Il don't feel called upon TO answer,
Mr.. Mlnafer." she said with visible
agitation. II 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. Il did not repeat a scandal
of any kind to your aunt and I think
you are mistaken in saying she told
you / did We may have discussed
some matters that have been q topic
Of comment about town"
"Yes!" George cried. II think you
may havel 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 not make your voice quite SO
loud in this house, which / happen to
own. Your aunt may have told you
though think II would have been very
unwise in her II she did. and Eot very
considerate Of me-she may have told
you that we discussed some topic as ]
have mentioned, and possibly that
would have been true. II I talked II
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 Cod" said George. "T can't
| stand this !"
"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
/ neon to know"
Il am perfectly willing to tell you
anything you wish II you will remem-
ber to ask 1t quietly. I'll also take
the liberty OF reminding you that
had perfect right TO discuss the SUBJ
ject with your aunt. Other people"
"other peoplel" the unhappy George
repeated viciously. "That's what I
want to know about-these other peo-
plel You say you know OF other peo-
pie who i4lk about this'
II presume they do"
How many"
"Whatf
Il want to know how many other
people talk about itf'
Dear, DEAR" she protested. How
should / know thatT
Haven't you hes rd anybody men,
tIon itf"
II presume So"
well, how many have you heardr"
Mrs. Johnson was becoming more
annoyed than apprehensive. and she
showed IT, Really, this isn't a court
ROOM" she said. "And I'm not a de-
fendant In a libel suit, either"
The unfortunate young man lost
what remained Of his balance. "You
may bel" he cried. 81 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 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
II on to yourself. mean to know"
You'll know something pretty
Qu'ck!" she said, rising with difficult
iy; and her voice was thick with the
sense OF insult. "You1l know that
you're out in the street Please to
leave my h, use"
George ST ffened sharply. Then he
bowed, and strode out of the door.
Three minutes later. disheveled and
perspirlng, but cold all over. he burst
into his Uncle Georges room at the
Majors without knocking. Anderson
was dressing.
"9cod gracious. Georgiel" he ex-
claimed. whats upf"
1--WE jGs' come from Mrs. John.
son's-across the street." George pant