Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1907-08-01
Aunt EIeCta'S
ElOpenent
By ELLIOT WALKER
copyright. by Daily Story Pub. Cos

Come! Aunty. Don't sit nodding
In your chair any longer. Do go to
bed"
What time is it, child?" Blecta
Broom blinked, groaning slightly as
she Strengthened up.
Nine o'clock. You ought to be
asleep. Half past eight is your regu-
lar hour, you know" Rosie's plump
shoulders twitched nervously.
Il know. When Is your pa coming
home? guess I'll wait for him.
Owl" Aunt Electa caught at her
knees with an agonized squeak.
''There!" she added remorsefully. "I
Il didn't mean to let out a word,
rosetta, but my old rheumatism has
got me again. I'll have to get Nathan
to help me upstairs. Dearl Dear"
The girl stepped to the front door,
biting her lip.
Raining YETI" her aunt called.
mo, not yet It's laundering a lit
tie" Rosie backed irresolutely to the
sitting room to put a coaxing hand
on the old woman's arm.
Father won't be here until after
ten, Aunty," she said. hastily. "T1l
help you to bed. Gomez"
We'll, I'll be more comfortable
there. / suppose. Ow! Wait a min
ute. child. Let me stretch my legs
to timber en- That's better. I'll
rest a second"
Ready, Aunty7"
Pretty near. What a hurry you're
in. Rosie. I put a dollar In that let
ter to Joe Berry about the ginger
cordial. 'Tisn't everyone I'd trust, but
Joe's honest. He hasn't been here for
some time. has he? l thought you
two were sort OF keeping company
three months ago"
Pooh! He's only a station agent.
I-I-pshaw! That talk didn't amount
to anything. People are always CAB
bling about me. wish they'd tend
to their own affairG.'
We'll, you're mighty pretty, my
dear, and only eighteen, with no
mother. OF course. folks are inter
ested. Your Pas spoiled you, I guess,
into thinking you're real grown up,
when you amt but a child in most
ways. will say 1 never saw a girl
so hard to get nigh to as you"
I'm that way" returned Rosie
petulantly. 81 hold my tongue, do my
work and suit myself. It's a good
plan, and I'd thank older people to do
the same, even you, Aunty. There!"
"Oh! I didn't mean to rile you,
Rosie" said her aunt, humbly. I'm
aware that Just came here to help,
Until you could hire a woman. Now
II you'll give me q lift. my dear. Owl
All right Why! I'm just your height,
and not much fatter than you are,
child. Funny, I never noticed that
Careful. Careful. One step at time
Don't go so fast"
The girl laughed in a forced, I'M
natural manner as they toiled up the
steep stairway.
I'll have you in bed in two minutes,
Aunty. Stand here by the door, while
light the lamp. So! Lean against
the jamb. Where are the matches?
Oh! yes. Good heavens"
Noiselessly the door had been pulled
to. There came a sharp click. Ros
eta was q prisoner. Down the stairs
sped Aunt Electa. Her rheumatism
seemed not to hinder those flying feet
Regardless of shrieks and poundings
from above. she skipped into the tiny
closet OF the hall. presently to emerge
with her neice's long cloak. hat, veil
and small hand bag.
Thought So" she grunted. "Al
packed and ready. I was sure Of it.
Poor, foolish little thing. Thank the
Lord for good eyes, sharp ears and
having lived IN Dresser. I'll fix this
business"
Arraying herself carefully, the old
woman extinguished the lamp in the
sitting room, closed and locked the
froat door. and stole out into the
blackness OF the night.
In the road she paused. A long roll
of thunder echoed among the hills
AS 1t died. she heard the sound of
distant rapid wheels.
"Ohl yes" she mu