The mirror., 1923-08-16
THE FIGURE IN BRONZE
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"What! What-do you mean? sing
that? Never!" fairly screamed Mrs. Hell
lund.
Richards fled at the thought of another
verbal storm, and when he arrived at Mrs.
Gibers' some hours later, that lady had
already heard the news, for such things
travel quickly, and she vented her opinion
of Mrs. Hellund. "It is just as Ruth Barris
prophesied! Everybody knows that Mrs.
Hellund is mischief maker, yet every
body listens to her! The Methodsts don't
want her; but lack the courage to get rid
of her! The Presbyterians won't have her;
yet they accept her services She makes
life burden for every person she meets;
yet they all tolerate her as a necessary
evil! She will start squabble anywhere,
about anything and without the slightest
excuse. have known her to quarrel about
hats; or tell people that their feet are too
big for the shoes they wear, and it makes
them hobble; or that they are so skinny
that they ought to pad. She once told a
soloist that she sang through her nose; and
once informed preacher that he had a
"wooden face" when he prayed! Nothing
is too sacred to escape her spleen! The
women curse her in their hearts when they
see her approach their homes; but when
she rings they admit her and let her dis
gorge her tales of scandal; and when she
says "she must be going" they urge her to
stay and have cup of tea,-and she al
ways does! While disseminating her
social poison she cooes like a dove; and
after she is gone they call down maledic
tions upon her head! I can't understand
It'll" concluded Mrs. Giber.
Neither can l." observed Richards. 81
wonder what she will do next?"
Something, you may be sure!" remarked
Mrs. Giber as the two arose from their
evening meal.
AS Mrs. Tom Hellund passed the home
of Mrs. G. Giber, she spied that lady re-
posing in hammock beneath two of the
several shade trees that graced the lawn
beside the Giber residence. Upon large
wicker rocking-chair lay discarded book.
"Why-hello, Mrs. Giber! You look so
comfortable there enjoying the shade this
hot day that must stop just for moment.
May come in? and without waiting for
the lady's approval, Mrs. Hellund entered
the yard.
"Why of course Mrs. Helund!" replied
Mrs. Giber-the meanwhile, saying to her
self "What else can say unless 1 order
you out, since you are already in!" Then
to Mrs. Hellund she said rather languidly,
"Just lay that book upon the stool and be
seated. The rocker is very comfortable"
"Dear mel" sighed the caller, "It is so
warm; and am so stout that 1 perspire
terribly. My! but this is a cozy place.
And what charming trellis you have!
Those climbing roses are beautiful,-may
have one please?"
"Why certainly, Mrs. Hellund; help
yourself! Perhaps you would like bou-
quet for your table this evening"
ooh, thank ,you-Iwould be delighted!"
"My- you do look so warm! Just let
me make a pitcher of cold lemonade-I
would like glass myself!" suggested Mrs.
Giber, and she vanished inside the house
to prepare the cooling drink.
While she was absent, a party of lady
friends, accompanied by the Rev. Henry
Fischer, passed BY Mrs. Hellund greeted
them, and as they paused to reply they re-
marked upon the comfortable scene, where
upon, Mrs. Hellund went out to the walk
and began a conversation. Presently, Mrs.
Giber appeared with large glass pitcher
of lemonade. "Why, how do you dol" she
cried. "Wont you stop moment and have
a glass of lemonade?"
Her invitation was irresistible. "My
goodness-how fortunate" replied one of