New Britain herald., 1923-02-08
The Cnrians Quesiien Mrs, tarkeo
 AskeI Ahnnl ness noan


 Askai Ah0ut i,ess bean
 Little Mrs, nurkoe twisted herself around ln the taxi seat grasned me hy the arm ani shock me, with about as much effectiveness and with much the same air as a temporarily aRgsred kitten might approach tangled hall ef yarn,
 "Madge Graham ,'' she exclaimed Nilh every letter an exclamation neinl, no you mean t0 sit there and tell me that ynu went ail the way un la that mountain hotel, and brought that girl nsay with y0ua Yes, you did that Nery thing, I can see iI Well all I've got 10 say Is that the fools aren't all dead yet !"
 She flung herself pettishly hack inc ta her seat, as far away from me as she could get, and her manner reg. istered intense disgust at me, Hut it Is the penalty of little Mrs, nurkee's ehildliked edoHahleness that the only re- suit Of her fages is 10 elicit tender laugh. and l gave one as l caught m q rebellions little hand in mine,
 You know very well yon would have done inc same thing yourself if Ali had been in question:" [ said.
 That's very different" she retoried. "Alfs my son, liut l wouldn't have stirred q single step for dozen hus- bands if l had 'em, and they an started 10 cutting capers at once. And that silly at . Claire l'ostsr---l wish l had the laathering of her, l'll war, rant she wouldn't wear q backless evening gown for siX months" .I
 "Wc'tc Only seen Him once"
 The contrast between her mignonne face and her ferocious words was SD ludicrous that it made me forget my own rancor toward Claire Poster. ani ] shock with uncomfortable laughter. Little Mrs. pnrkce pouted for sec ond or two longer, then she gave the charming little laugh which always terminates her ragcs.
 T mean it," she said dimpling. and nodding her head, and 1 wouldn't go to see her for thousand dollars. And | as for the picky-bird III give him 'whatror' the next time l see him. But this explains it !'
 Ii took all my control 70 keep iron, asking her what her last cryptic sen tence meant, l said nothing. how ever. and in another few seconds the explanation came.
 We've only seen him once this fall, and then but for few hours" she said, to my surprise and involun- tary relief. for l often jealously had pictured Dicky in the company or Edith Fairfax. He dropp-u in on us one day for the purpose he said or returning Ede's Spanish ceinb, which she left at your house ia-. summer, and which she's been fussing about ever since--it's an heirloom, you know.
 Madge lmagines a Shadow
 But he didn't say two words to her more than he did to the rest Of us,' she smiled, and she didn't like it any too well, either. l can tell you, although l do thing she's getting over that foolishness Of hers about Dicky. l hope so, anyway, it's about time. If l were that 10th or fifth cousin of hers" she mimicked Dr. Jim Paige's southern drawl to perfection-'fd carry her off and give her d good Il spanking, and then marry her. She'd probably forget her foolishncss then, settle down and make a good wife,"
 What a ferocious little piece you are :" l said, trying to speak lightly. T gather, then, there isn't any im- likelihood of her making Dr, Jim Paige happy man.
 I was ashamed of the question, but irresistible impeled me to it.
 I'm not so sure about that" she returned At any rate, she's going back to Aunt Dora Paige's very soon for the winter. And propinquity- you know
 'Is Dr. Jim's frst-aid kit" re- turned lightly. "But truce to Edih. Tell me about the rest of you" There isn't much to tell" she said, I'm the same old sixpence, except that I feel lot older"