Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1934-09-20
EMILY'S
LIZARD
g
BY r. H. WILKINSON
@. Bell syndicate,-wNU Service.
RS. EMILY METCALF is a
gushy sort of person.
She also COOS very well.

"ambushed."
Having observed her when some dis.
lance away shamelessly stepped into
a doorway to avoid meeting her.
Unfortunately the door was locked,
and whereas I suddenly became in
tensely interested in the vague print.
ing on its soiled glass, l was trapped.
Mrs. Metcalf espied me.
should have known better than to
attempt escaping her.
"How do you do! My dear, it's ages
ages since I've seen you. You've
grown thinner? do think you have.
And younger looking. Much. .
Such a becoming tiel Now, If
were a bit younger But
there, what would your wife say If
she heard me talking like this :"
That's how she Is.
Always trying to say the right
thing; nearly always failing.
She's one Of those persons who ex-
cite your wonder.
You wonder if she's serious, you
wonder If about everything she says
isn't superficial.
She pretends to be well read, to have
broad intelligence about any matter
that might be under discussion.
She has social aspirations.
She caters to people who have fam
lily backing, wealth or social promi-
nence.
Three days after my chance meeting
with Mrs. Metcalf met her again, at
a party held by some mutual friends.
The party was given in honor of one
Miguel Rosalia de Villareal. Miguel,
l learned, was a descendant of Span
ish nobility, cousin of a one-time
president of Mexico, a son of a
wealthy Mexican rancher.
In fact, Miguel was quite a guy. He
was tall and dark and slender and in
telligent looking.
1t wasn't surprising to find, upon be-
ing introduced to Miguel, that Mrs.
Emily Metcalf had already had that
honor and that she had claimed him
for the evening. (Mrs. Metcalf, it
must be explained, is a widow of five
years standing)
But it was genuinely surprising
when toward the end of the evening
discovered that Miguel had not sue
ceeded in Kidding himself of the gushy
Emily.
In fact, he seemed quite attentive
to her, quite pleased with her COM
pany.
This was puzzling, as the Mex
looked to me like pretty bright chap.
Miguel remained in Newton for a
period of two months. And during
that time he was frequent caller at
the home of Mrs. Emily Metcalf. But
never again did he appear with her in
public.
For time the thing was a mystery,
for Miguel was honored during his
brief visit to our city at dozens of pub
lie functions, and still more private
affairs.
Yet, somehow, Mrs. Metcalf was
never included In the private affairs
and seemed unaware Of the public
events until after they were over.
The mystery remained a mystery un-
til the very day Of Miguel's departure.
And then 1t was explained only to my
satisfaction.
However, I will set down here the
happenings as they occurred up to the
date Of Miguel's departure.
On the day following that first party
at which Mrs. Metcaf had been pre-
sented to the descendant Of Spanish
nobility, Miguel was seen to approach
the door Of Mrs. Metcalf's home. He
was admitted by the lady herself.
Five minutes later he departed.
Ten minutes after that, Mrs. Met
calf scurried across the street to Mrs.
Hodgson's house, her face fairly beam.
ing with excitement.
Whatever do you suppose has hap
pened? Imagined"
Mrs. Hodgson compressed her lips.
II can't guess. What?"
Miguel, the dear boy, has given me
a PRESENT."
"a PRESENT. What kind Of a pres
ent?"
"a lizard!"
Mrs. Hodgson blinked her eyes.
"a lizard"
Emily nodded.
isn't 1t just too thrilling7 He says
it's very rare lizard which he
brought up from Mexico. He says II
take good care Of 1t, 1t will do strange
things"
Two days later Miguel again called
on Mrs. Metcalf, and after his depar-
ture the widow flew across the street
to Mrs. Hodgson's.
"Imaglne what has happenedl Just
imaglnep'
81 can't" said Mrs. Hodgson.
"Whatr'
ITS the lizard. He's twice as big
as he was yesterday. Think of 1t
Twice as big In a days time"
Mrs. Hodgson was as perplexed as
the rest Of US about this lizard bust
ness. but she reported faithfully all
that happened.
Miguel called on Mrs. Metcalf on an
average Of once every two days.
Twice she saw him approach the
house after dark when Mrs. Metcalf |
.xyao bouaa 800 $1,000