The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-01-14
How Madse MET and Conquered
Cousin AGATHA.


Cousin Agatha.
That Cousin Agatha was in the state
characterized by Dicky as being on
the war path I saw by my first
glimpse of her as she emerged from
my mother-in-law's room. I knew
that she must be furiously angry at
Katie for the language the girl had
used to her, and had wondered what
course she would pursue.
Before she began to speak I saw
what her tactics would be. Years of
posing had enabled her 10 control her
emotions to a remarkable degree. She
meants to preserve her usual martyr
air when speaking of Katie to convey
the idea that her only motive IN COM
Ing to me was to do me a kindness. to
warn me of the viper ] was cherishing
in my bosom. | wondered If she had
told Mother Graham of her encounter
and quickly decided that she hadn't.
had seen that for some reason Cousin
Agatha stood somewhat in awe of her
autocratic relative. She's probably
hadn't cared to inform my mother-in-
law that she had become involved in
q vulgar controversy with my maid
within half an hour of her arrival in
my home.
She evidently did not stand IN the
same awe of me, A wave of remem-
bering bitterness tinged with sar-
donic amusement, swept over me,
hatie's verdict OF long ago was a just
one. / was too easy" Even this
hanger-on of Dicky's family, this
Cousin Agatha" had seen this in her
quick survey of me and meant to take
advantage of it.
May I speak to YOU alone Mrs.
Graham 2" she said purringiy, as she
came up to me. and yet there was in
her voice note OF authoritative ex-
pectance.
You may" I returned. and I. didn't
put any cordiality into the answer.
threw open the door of my room and
beckoned her in. closing it after us.
we are moving. as you see" / said,
" so you will have to excuse the APP
pearance of this room. VIII you be
seated?"
mo. thank you. she returned, and
| saw that she had caught the cool
ness of my tone. What I have to
say to you viii take but a minute or
two"
She paused, evidently to let me make
some rejoinder. / saw that she knew
the value of letting an antagonist do
most Of the talking; but as 1 had the
same knowledge kept my lips firmly
closed and she was compelled to go on.
"a Painful Duty"
1T is a very painful duty I have to
perform, Mrs. Graham she said, and
recognized the whine of the profess
sionaI philanthropist in her tone. 81
have been in your house only half an
hour. and yet I have discovered some
thing about your maid which I am
sure YOU don't know. The girl has
been deceiying you shamefuliy. When
| taxed her with deceit she turned
upon me in the most offensive manner
possible and rallied at men with ter
ribie language. Personally, could
overlook it. But / knew that you
couldn't countenance such person in.
your home if you knew of her actions.
so I felt it my duty to come straight
to YOU and tell YOU
She had all the smugness of the cat
that had just succeeded in a raid on
the cream dish as she finished. I al
most fancied I could see her licking
her lips. A sudden desire to pierce her
self-satisfied armor seized me. When
spoke I didn't recognize my own
voice, it was 50 frigid
Well you have discharged your
duty" / said, so your conscience must
be at rest. And now / must ask you
to excuse me, for must get this room
ready for your occupancy If I don't
hurry. you will have to share Mother
Graham's room"
Surprise, outraged petty authority,
vindictive anger cleaned through her
suddenly narrowed lids. Her tones
lost their purring smoothness, were
harsh, tempery. as she answered me-
do you realize what you're doing,
Mrs. Graham? You are insulting me,
your husbands cousin and guest, when
have only wished to do you a favor
You haven't even asked me what the
girl has DONE
Madge's "Last Word"
And don't care to ask returned
steadily. Katie has been in my en-
ploy ever since my marriage. She has
proved her fidelity to me in numoer-
less ways. DO you really imagine that
| would discharge her, or even reprove
her, because of a tale brought to me
by a tsranger ~
You allow your servants to cali
guests in your home old liars ?" she
asked, her tone fairly dripping with
malevolent sarcasm.