Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-10

right and I was wrong about what eofy q
of people these Sullenders are. AZ
ready the very next day, you've had % A
confess that you were utterly mistaken
and that your wife is wholly in tn
right. suppose you may feel a little
depressed about that and want to change \
the question to something else and claim x
I'm in the wrong about that. But don't
you think it's a little bit childish ~
you, Will? Don't you think that the
way you're taking your defeat is Just
a little bit-small?"
He was hurt, and looked up at hsr
with an expression that showed the
injury. "I'd hardly have expected you'd
call me that" he said. "At least, not
so soon after our wedding trip"
swell, I might have expected you
wouldn't be accusing me of gossiping
harmfully," she retorted. "Not quite 30
soon!" ":-e
Young Mr.. Sperry rose again. "Do
you think that's as bad as using the
epithet small to your husband?"
'Epithet'?" she echoed. "You charge
me with using 'epithets
well, but didn't you?"
II think III ask you to excuse mel"
Bella said, with an aspect Of nobility
in suffering. And she proudly betook
herself from the room.
1t was a tiff Next day they were as
| polite to each other as II they had it,sf
been introduced. and this ceremonial for.
mality was maintained between them until
the third evening after its installation. whsn
calamity caused them to abandon n.
AFTER stately dinner in their hundred
square feet of dining room, Bella had gone
OUT into the twilight to refresh her strips
OF iris with fair water from the earden
hose. and William reclined upon his lounse.
solitary with gloomy pipe. Unexpectedly.
he was summonsd Bella looked in upon
him from the door and spoke hastily, OH
MIR. and Mrs. Sullender," she said 9Th"
and as hastily withdrew. sc
ferturbed. he rose and went out to the
NIUE 'erahda' where, with a slightly ner.
vous hospitality. Bella was now on.ra,~
eha'rs TO Mrs. George NJ Sullender and
ner husband. Mrs. Sulender smilingly, ana
III her angelic Voice. declined the Offer
'Oh, no. she said. I'VE came IN, =
moment to admire your lovely irises at
closer range; we're just passing on our
way to some friends in waverly Place.,
"We'd be so glad" Bella uttered.
No no. no. Mrs. Sullender murmured
caressingly. We've only a moment-I'm
sorry you disturbed your husband-we,re
just going over for bridge. l suppose yoh
know most Of the people in WaverIy Place4't
mo. l don't think l know mtny.". -
We'll, of course, we don't think it coIh-
pares to Highland Place" Mrs Sullendex
sad with little deprecatory laugh. I'm
afraid it's rather-well. gossipy."
oh" Bella said. us it?'
I'm afraid so," the gentle. hammered
lady returned. 'Of course. that's great
pity, too, in such a new little community
where people are bound to be thrown to.
gether a great deal. Don't you think It's
great pity, Mrs. Sperry?"
"Oh. naturally Bella acquiesced. "Yes.
indeed"
II knew you would. OF course. it's just
thoughtlessness-most of the .ople who live
there are so young. but we heard a really
dreadful story only yesterday. 1t came
from a very young newly married couple,
and my husband and | were so sorry to
hear they'd started out by telling sucn
dreadful things about their neighbUrs. Don't
YOU think it's most unwise. Mrs. Sperry?
Mrs. Sullender's voice, wholly unru6aed,
and indOmitaby tender as ever. gave NO
intmation that she spoke with II peculiar
significance; but William Sperry was pro.
foundy alarmed, and, with sympathy
that held no triumph in IT, he knew that
Bella was in a similar or worse condi-
ton
"ic-es,'' Bella murmured. "Of-of
course l do
Il knew you would feel that way" said
Mrs Sulendcr, soothingly. Its unwise
because gossip travels so. 1t nearly always
goes straight back to the people it S about.
In fact, don believe | ever knew of one
single case where it didn't. Did you, Mrs.
Sperry?"
IL don't--that is, well, n-no," Bella
stammercd. .
NO. It's so unwise!' Mrs. Sullender
insisted. with a little murmur Of tender
laughter Then she took the arm of her
solemn and silent husband, and they turned
together toward the gate but paused, "Oh,
l meant to tell YOU, Mrs Sperry-"
"Yes?"
That dear little boy George-the little
boy you were chatting with the other morn
ing when l called him in to play with my
little girl-you remember, Mrs. Sperry I"
YES Bella gasped,
II thought you made s4ch friends WITH
him you'd be sorry to know you won't see
him any more @
no." Mrs. Sullender cooed gentlys
Poor little George Gobe,' - -cr
"Georgic-who?' .2.
George Goble." said Mrs Sullender.
He was Goble, our chauffeur little boy.
They lived over our garage and had quite
n distressing time Of it. poor things The
wife finally persuaded Cobe to move to an
other town where she thinks chauffeurs' pay
is higher. ] was sure you'd be sorry to
hear the poor dear little boy had zone.
They left yesterday. Good night. Coed.
night, Mr.. Sperry'
WITH that. followed by somewhat feeble
w good nights from both the Sperrys: ohS
na..Sa .Lrn.nh ~. 80 LII L. k..ic~lN