Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1915-02-11

OliSh OlGGZS Vi dHOtllCl NCS(ilpllO0 uuI
ing the afternoon. II all happened be-
cause Mrs. Billy lacked an eighth of d
yard OF lace for waist that she was max
ing.
"You don't mind being left alone, do
you. auntie ?" she asked, as she drsped
the beautiful shawl about Amt Deborah s
shoulders.
Gracious, no, child p said her aunt.
"When Pm home | live alone" She
settled herself in the bay window, picked
up her tatting, and noticed out of the
corner of her eye that the feminine in
habitantS OF the street were departing by
twos and threes. "Run along and gel
your lace"
Presently Mrs. BiIlyjoined an animated
group OF neighbors who were journeying
toward the fascinating region of depart
ment stores, and Aunt Deborah was left
alone-left gazing at the dropping back OF
the mistress OF the next house. Mrs.
Dayton, seated listessly in her bay win
dow, was looking wiStfully at the groups
of friendly, animated women who passed
her windows.
"H'mp muttered Aunt Deborah. She
frowned, and began TO look about inquir-
ingly. AT last her eyes rested on the
odd little peaks thatsurmountedth the houses
across the way; in fact, every house on
the other side OF the street had q little
peak. "The very thing |" she said 10
herself.
Hastily glancing up the now deserted
street, she hurried into the hall, deliber-
ately set the lock so that it would snap
shut after her. and bareheaded, with her
shoulders protected only blythe thin shawl,
went out She slammed the dor be-
hind her, advanced 10 the middle of the
street, and peered up at the roof OF the
house. Then, aware that pair OF large
eyes were fixed on her, she mounted the
Keenan, steps and shook the keenan, door
vigorously. "Dear me-" she exclaimed
loudly, "what have done !" and she
shook the door again, at the same time
Shivering and drawing the shawl up over
her head.
A sash in the Dayton bay window op-
ened, small head was thrust out, and a
quiet, courteous voice said, "Have you
locked yourself out ?"
Aunt Deborah faced the large eyes and
quiet voice with an apologize smile.
That's exactly what l've done. You
see, got TO looking al all those queer
little peaks on top OF the houses across
the way, and felt had TO know whether
there was peak above my head. Well, y
with an unexpected twinkling smile, 81
find there's peak over my head, but no
roof over il at present, and it's cold out
here"
A moment later door had closed be-
hind Aunt Deborah's back and there was
a roof over Aunt Deborah'S head, but II
was the roof that had been voted a dis
grace TO the street.
Two hours later Mrs. Billy came back,
and with her were three OF the neighborS.
Carelessly she tried the door, for unless
the houSeholders were all absent, the
street did not lock its front doors during
the day. She anxiously applied her key
and entered. While the neighbors wait
ed, she quickly made tour OF the tiny
house. She had just descended the stairs,
and asked OF the waiting group in the
livng-room, "Where can Aunt Dec be ?"
when in came Mrs. Shay, the neighbor
who shared with her the noise attending
the Daytons' family feud.
"a can tell your announced Mrs. Shay
excitedly. "She's over al The DaytonS' =.
Yes, she is, and has been ever since you
left She went out into the middle of the
street and looked up so queerly at our
roofs, and went back; and just as ! was
going out TO speak TO her, Mrs. Dayton
opened her window, and your aunt"
as righthere, interrupted aquiet voice
behind Mrs Shay.
The grouy gazed up in surprise at Aunt
Deborah. Mrs. Billy, observing that her
aunt's white hair was disheveled, her
shawl crumpled and her lavender waist
badly mussed, exclaimed:
"Aunt Deb, you look as if you'd been
in-in a smash-up !"
al have been," said her aunt, calmly.
She sat down in the bay window, rear
ranged her shawl and smoothed her hair.
w've assisted in smashing the Dayton's
family skeleton" )"
"Aunt Deborah p
"Miss Keenan, I"
Good gracious !"
The exclamation points thickened as
the group closed in on Aunt Deborah.
She reached for her tatting, and made a
dab with her haudkerchiefata suspicious
ly damp spot on the front OF her waist.
Mrs. Billy fixed her relative with a
penetrating eye. AUNT Deb, tell US this
minutel Don't you dare keep anything
back Those awful quarels-"
care in the interest OF a mission church
in Georgetown" interrupted Aunt Debo-
rah. Her eyes twinkled over her spec
tacles at the petrified group. "Some
young people are going to give little
play for the benefit of the mission, and
TIE Daytons practice their lines whenever
Mr.. Dayton has time. They prefer to 90
over their parts in the kitchen because in
one scene Mrs. Dayton has 10 bang the
chairs round. They were generous
enough to offer to impersonate the dis
agreeable characters"
"MY goodness mel' cried Mrs. Billy.
Church workers, and Billy thought oil
A. CT.