The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1919-04-18
|THE TANGLED WEB
By LorrIe w. SIMMONS.

after the 17-year-0ld niece intrusted TO
her care--a pretty little miss with
too large appetite for Ice cream sodas
and the admlrng glances of tall young
soldiers.
When bake-a-pie day rolled around
1t fell to Elizabeth to wrap up the ex-
ira half-dozen delicious ones Aunt Bet
ty baked and generously set aside for
the soldiers. Right under the crust OF
the most tempting pie Of all she sur
reptltiously tucked small strip or
paper with the words: 'If you like this
pie call at 90 Bowdoln street Saturday
evening for another" Aunt Betty al
ways baked on Saturday and spent the
evening at the Red Cross rooms, lenv-
Ing Elizabeth alone to keep house.
1t was most delicious pie, so
thought Lieut.. John Ii, as he
tucked Elizabeths note inside his
pocket. 1t was Saturday evening be-
fore he thought Of 1t again, ut just
about the same time that Elizabeth
was flufiing her hair and wondering
! II her scheme for little fun would
bring any results
When the bell rang Elizabeth flew to
the door, sweet little pinll-faced WIS.,
| ton in blue. Lieutenant II was
rather taken aback, but Elizabeth was
equal to the occasion. "Oh, good even
Ing" she trilled. $50 you are the one
that got my note, and you want am
other pie? Well, come right in--1 have
one for y0,i-so glad you liked it,
John H. was by this time thorough
ly enjoying the most unusual situation.
In \ pretty room with pretty girl,
tying up an extremely tempting-look-
ing pie, all for him--well, the fates
were kind, thought he. ~ must cOmpli-
msnt you on your skill as u pie-maker,
Miss -" hesitating to learn her
name. Elizabeth looked blank for
second; then "F--," she added glib
ly. elizabeth F; and now who is
going to accept this pie?" Elizabeth
thrilled q. little when she learned his
name and his rank and quite suddenly
decided that he was very, very good
! looking. They chatted pleasantly for
few moments, after which Lieutenant
IL very properly took his leave.
"You may have another pie next Sat
urday eyening-if you care to call for
IT," Elizabeth said cOyly at the door,
which invitation was most heartily
accepted by the tall lieutenant.
The next morning Aunt Betty dis
covered that she was pie short.
"sakes alive you didn't eat whole
sxtN oA .i-I, EIivahnth Nv
she asked. "Iercy, no! Aunt Betty.
Someone called ut the door last night
and I gave one away.
Aunt Betty had Just placed the pie-
board on the table when the telephone
rang insistently. Elizabeth flew to an.
swer 1t. "Oh, i!.s for you" she called.
"Lizzie B. is sick and they want
you to come wight over" "Mercy,"
exclaimed Aunt Betty, "and my baking
Just begun Well, must go, that's
plain. You might make that sponge
cake. Keep the fire, and don't let the
beans burn"
Elizabeth gazed in dlsmny at Aunt
Betty's figure hurrying down the walk.
That meant no pie for Lieutenant
H. that night. Oh, If only she
could bake one! Whatever had pos
sessed her To let him believe she could
why hadn't she explained? What
would he think of her? DLsconsOlately
she mixed the sponge cake, hut was
too wise to attempt the pie. Supper
time came. and no Aunt Betty. she
telephoned Instead saying that she
would be siome. early IN the evening
N Elizabeth was In despair. or course
nuntie would come while heutennn,
H WAS there!N What should sht
do? 1t was not the radiant Elizabeth
of the week before who answered
Lieutenant HIS ring Mt the bell
but a very sober little girl in Il plair
white dress. Hardly was he seated
before Aunt Betty hustled in. Eliza
beth introduced them the best sh'
could, and Aunt Bettys frOwn van
ished before the frank smile and cor
dial handshake Of the engaging younI
soldier. III your niece will make sucl
delicious pies" he began when th'
formalitles were over. "Bless m.
soul" interrupted Aunt Betty, edit
you bake pies today, Elizabeth? Yol
never made pies before In your life
Looks on the two faces before he
stopped her. ooh, Mr.. H Oh
Aunt Betty" stamInered Elizabeth
then realizing, that she must eithe
laugh or cry she began to laugh whicl
WIS the hest thing she could do. Sh
explained everything to her listener
as gracefully as she could, ending wit
81 don't think l am a natural-borl
decelver--really; still don't know
why fooled you both 30. Please for
give me-" John H. laughed good
naturedly, seeming neither shocke
nor offended. much TO ElIzabeth's re
lief Aunt Betty. too, WAS kind ny o
course she would be. "You surely dl
weave II tangled web as the poe
says, Elizabeth" she said with n laugh
"There isn't any pie for Mr.. H tt
night, but you might bring on You
sponge cake---I suppose you made one
And IL he will come over to Dime
next Sunday there will be pie to grac
our table no doubt"
H.