The Nome daily nugget., 1935-02-23
ENIILY'S LIZARD
 8
By R. II. WILKINSON Q. Bell syndicata.-WNU Service.
ARS. EMILY METCALF Is \ a gushy sort of person.
 U She also cnnS very well.

A A Sne dlSD COOS very well.
 Last month I met her on Fremont street.
 say met" Perhaps should say "ambushed."
 Having observed her when some distance away shameessly stepped Into a doorway to avoid meeting her,
 Unfortunately the door was locked. and whereas suddenly be- came intensely interested in the vague printing on its soiled glass, I was trapped.
 Mrs. Metcalf espied me.
 should have known better than to attempt escaping her.
 "llow do you do! My dear, It's ages-ages since I've seen you. You've grown thinner? I do think you have. And younger looking. Much. |. . Such becoming tel e.. .. Now, If were q bit younger. |. But there. what would your wife say if she heard me talking like this. -"
 | mat now Sle IS.
 Always trying to say the right thing; nearly always falling.
 She's one of those persons who excite 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 discus sion.
 She has social aspirations.
 She caters to people who have family backing wealth or social prominence.
 Three days after my chance meet. ing with Mrs. Metcalf l met her again, at q party held by some mu- tual friends.
 The party was given in honor of one Miguel Rosalla de yillareal. Miguel, I learned, was descendant of Spanish nobility, cousin of one time president of Mexico. a son of wealthy Mexican rancher.
 In fact, Miguel was quite a guy. He was tall and dark and slender and intelligent looking.
 rt wasn't surprising to find, upon being introduced to Miguel, that Mrs. Emily Metealf 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 I discovered that Miguel had not succeeded in rdding himself of the gushy Emily.
 Tn fact, he seemed quite attentive to her. quite pleased with her com pany.
 This was puzzllng. as the Mex looked to me like a pretty bright chap.
 Miguel remained in Newton for a
 
 that time he was a frequent caller at the home of Mrs. Emily Metcalf. But never again did he appear with her In public.
 For a time the thing was a mys tery, for Miguel was honored during his brief visit to our city at dozens of public functions, and still 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 mystery until the very day of Nlguel's de parture. And then it 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 | calfs 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 fair. | ly beaming with excitement "Whatever do you suppose has happened? Imagine!"
 Mrs. Hodgson compressed her | lips. "I cant guess. What" Miguel. the dear boy. has given me present! !" "A present? What kind of pres. ent?"
 "A lizard :" Mrs. Hodgson bllnked her eyes.
 "A lizardw
 Emily nodded. Isn't 1t just too thrilling? He says it's very rare lizard which | he brought up from Mexico. He | says if I take good care of 1t, It will do strange things" Two days later Miguel again | called on Mrs. Metcalf, and after his | departure the widow flew across the