The Coolidge examiner., 1934-09-28
EsiILY'S
LIZARD
8
By r. II. WILKINSON
C. Hou ayndleate --ws,U s.usvles,
TRS. EMILY METCALF Ia
a gushy sort OF person.

E
Last month | met her on fremont
street.
SAY met" Perhaps ! should say
"ambushed"
Having observed her when some
distance away / shamelessly stepped
into a doorway 10 avoid meeting her.
Unfortunately the door was
locked. and whereas suddenly be
came intensely interested In the
vague printing on its solled glass,
I vas trapped.
Mrs Metcalt espIed the.
should have known better than
TO attempt escaping her.
"lIow do you do Ny dear. It's
agcs-ages since I've seen YOU.
You've grown thinner7 do think
you have And younger looking.
Much. - Such a becoming tie +.
Now. n were a bit younger. q.
Bot there. what would your wife
say II she heard me talking like
this.
That's how she ls
Always trying TO say the right
thing: nearly always falling.
She's one OF those persons who
excite your wonder
You wonder II she's serious. you
wonder II about everything she says
isn't superficial
She preterds TO be well read. 10
have broad intelligence about any
matter that might be under discus
sion.
She has social aspirations.
She caters 10 people who have
family backing. wealth or social
prominence.
Three dayB after my chance meet.
Ing with Mira Metcalf met her
again. at a party held by some mu-
tual friends
The party was given In honor of
one Miguel Rosalla de yillareaL
Miguel. learned. was a descendant
OF Spanish nobility. a cousin OF a
one time president OF Mexico. a son
OF . wealthy Mexican rancher.
In fact. Miguel was quite a guy
Tie was tall and dark and slender
and intelligent looking.
IL wasn't surprising to ind. upon
being introduced to Miguel. that
Mrs Emily Meteaif had already had
that honor and that she had claimed
him for the evening. (Mrs. Metcaif.
IL mus, be explained Is a widow OF
eve years suanding)
Bot II was genuinely surprising
when toward the end OF the evening
| discovered that Miguel had not
succeeded In Kidding himself Of the
gushy Emily.
In fact. be seemed quite attentive
10 her. quite pleased with her com.
pany.
This was puxxllng. as the Mex
looked 90 me like q pretty bright
chap.
Miguel remained la Newton for a
period OF two monthA And during
that time he was a frequent caller
az the home OF AIRS. Emily Metealt
But never again did be appear with
her In public.
For a time the thing was a mys
terry. for Miguel was honored during
bis brief visit 10 our city az dozens
OF public functions. and stu more
private affairs
Yet. somehow, Mrs Metcalf was
never included in the private af
fairs and seemed unaware OF the
public events until after they were
over.
The mystery remained a mystery
until the very day OF Miguel's de
parture. And then IL was explained
only to my satisfaction.
However. | 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. Metcalf had
been presented to the descendant OF
Spanish nobility. Miguel was seen
TO approach the door OF Mrs. Met
calrs home. He was admitted BY
the lady herself.
Five minutes later he departed.
Ten minutes after that, Mrs. Net.
calf scurried across the street to
Mrs. Hodgson's house. her face fair
ly beaming with excitement
whatever do yon suppose has
happened? Imaginel"
Mrs. Hocgson compressed her
lips. Il can't guess. WhatT'
Miguel. the dear boy. has given
me a PRESENT."
a present? what kind OF pres
entY"
a lizardr'
Mrs. Hodgson blinked her eyes.
"A lizard !"
Emily nodded.
Isn't II just too thrilllng1 He
says It's a very rare lizard which
he bf@ught up from Mexico. He
says II take good care OF IL. II
win do strange things"
Two days later Miguel again
called on Mrs. Metcalf. and after his
departure the widow flew across the
unHnunnsu