Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-06-28
TURNING TABLES
BY PEARL q. MEYER.

whats rhisf" she qucried, hauling
out some white material
Beckie, her niece. drew her brows to-
gether.
That's the bureau scarf | started
last winter You didn't like the pat
tern. so dropped it,
Hin" said Aunt Tane. whats
thisf" She pulled out something gay
with col0rs.
"Oh, that's the table runner. | got
SO sick Of it never finished the thing
Him. And this?' Another article
was brought to light.
Goodness me. | started that shirt
waist over q year ago. I'd forgotten
all about it,"
''Since you were old enough to re-
member" commenced Aunt Jane, 81
have tried to Impress on you the value
of finishing what you commence"
sHDo what you set out to do. This
applies 10 greater things than bu-
reau scarfs and shirtwnistS If you
know thing is right, 90 ahead with
IT,"
But, auntie"s interrupted Beckie,
this time successfully. How am TO
know that | can trust my own juds-
ment?"
"YOur conscience will tell YOU
Beckle, sitting bumped over the toy
of trunk, poudered deeply.
Then" she said finally, "if I start
TO do something that | am sure is
right, ! should not allow even you
even you, auntie-to sweryc me from
my purposeF
Exactly" returned her aunt, with
Il pleased nod. Lets go down now. l
Want To take a nap.
The nap heightened into regular
suooze, Aunt Jane was a sound sleep
err She was aroused finally by knock
ing on the door,
Its half-past four called Beclie.
Aunt Jane arose hurriedly. Her sim
pie toilet did not take many minutes.
Giving IL final hurried dab at her tight
~ twisted mug of gray hair. she moved
toward the door. To her astonish-
ment, Il was locked She ratified the
knob vigorously.
''Beckie," she called.
I'm so sorry" spoke small voice
close TO the keyhole, 'but I'm doing
what you told me to do"
Unlock this door" demanded Aunt
Jane sternly,
II can't"
what do you mean"
Not until you promise me some
thing said Beckie meekly. MY heart
tells me am right. This IS the only
way. I've begged and begged and
prayed; but you have always said no"
Aunt Jar IS nds sank Imply to
her sides Bcckio had whitney, made
her a prisoner.
"Beckie Stowell, let me out this in
slant
II Will" came the pleading voice.
"if you'l say that may marry
Dwight"
Never" she ragged Does that
that whipperSnappcr know you have
done this?"
No" In GREATNESS haste. II just
asked him To come to supper tonight. I
told him | had real nice surprise for
him"
"A real nice surprise" mmicled
Aunt Jane; then, after a slight pause
"He will get It,"
'Oh, auntie." Beckie's voice was full
of tears--''then you can't come out.
It's after five now. I've got to 60
downstairs"
Aunt Jane leaned weakly against
the door, her thoughts in such turmoil
that she was momentarily stricken
dumb The minister due at six. The
table not set. The biscuits. In an
outburst of dcspairing rage, she beat
on the door with her clenched fists.
"Beckie." she shrieked. "Beckie"
No reply. From the distant down
stairs came little Gathering sounds as
of dishes being moved.
ITS twenty minutes OF six, Aunt
Jane"
my biscuits" walled Aunt Jane.
"You wicked girl. | shall never forgive
you as long as / live"
These bitter words evoked little
sob from the free side of the door.
A terrifying idea flashed into Aunt
James mind. Did the girl mean she
might run away? All her wrath was
swept away suddenly in IA food tide of
love. She could never think Of
Beckie other than child. That was
why she would never listen to her talk
of marrying.
ITS ten minutes of. SIX" pleaded
Yeckie. ooh heard the gate click"
There was a mementary quaver in her
voice. "Aunt Jane-Dwight is so dear"
Her voice sank to breath.
The jangie of the door-bell rang
through the house. But to Aunt James
teart, Beckie's whispered words sound !
cd louder than did the bell to her
ears.
"Beckie,' she questioned, "are you
sure you're rightT'
Yes" came the answer with a
quick intake of breath.
"Then you shall have him, dear"
The key ratified in the lock. The |
door swung open. Aunt Jane ana
p.o1,;, ..n,,I fnoo ~ fopa Az that mo. |