The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1919-05-16
JAMES CRAZY QUILT
BY ELEANOR SIMMONS

Betty's Aunt Jane was not so very
much older than was Betty herself. siz
years to be ex3ct, and Betty had just
turned twenty. But when Captain Bur
ton, q young army officer en- route
home, stepped off at Glenn Centre to
visit a friend at whose home, quite &C.
cidentally, he met Betty, and when she
invited him over that evening for the
sole purpose of writing his name on
Aunt James crazy quilt, the swift
mental vision he had Of Aunt Jane did
not do justice to that most engaging
young lady.
'It's like this" lisped Betty. when
our boys went to war they left va
cancies that were hard to fill in this
small town, so Aunt Jane-well, she
just filled in wherever she vas need
ed most, and they kept her busy. The
postmaster didn't have anyone to drive
the mail when his son, Billy. went SO
Aunt Jane took the job until he found
a man and then she helped out at the
corner grocery for a while, and the
minute she was through there they
mi word from the shoe store, Would
she please come over and help them
out?' SO while the rest Of us kept
house and sewed for the Red Cross she
went from one mans job to another
until she declared she would just have
to do something feminine. SO to re-
lieye her feelings she started a crazy
quilt. We call 1t a crazy quilt" went
on Betty, "but. really. 1t Is a beautiful
thing-so soft and silky and CHEEKY
looking. All the neighbors brought In
their odd silk and velvet pieces as soon
as they found out she was making one.
Maybe you think she might have used
her spare time to better advantage but
no one who knows how hard she
worked to help win the war would
begrudge her the only pleasure she
allowed herself through 1t all. 1t will
be sort Of a war relic, too, when 1t is
finished. for in the center Of each
square there will be q soldiers name In
his own handwriting. Won't it be in
teresting? When the boys come home
they'll all have the honor Of enrolling
on Aunt James quilt; but she'll feel
proud to have d real captains name on
1t the first thing. and you'll probably
be instructed to write on the most con-
spicuous square OF all. No we'll expect
you this evening so don't disappoint
as" concluded Betty. with her prettiest
accent. and Captain Burton smilingly
assured her that he would be there at
the appointed hour.
At home. Betty's mother was husily
preparing supper, while her sister Jane
sat by the window embrOidering a
beautiful silken square. "Seems good
20 have you home early. Jennie" said
the elder woman. "Better put that
work up now. though; this lights get
ting dim. Isn't that a piece Of the
iress you had that winter you taught
school up In Manner" Yes" softly
Jane as she folded her work
ind gazed dreamily out Of the window,
Tor that small piece Of silk had
awakened memories both pleasant and
II had taken her back to the
little town where. six years before. she
had taught the village school, and in
ridentaIly learned a lesson so we'll her
self that she had never been able to
forget. although she gladly would have
lone so.
Many changes had occurred since
hen. The old home had been broken
ap. and she had come to this distant
town tic live with her sister; but
it all she had remembered.
Once again her heart pictured the
tall young principal and listened to hts
words OF love. It was the pro-
lovers quarrel that had ONE
between them. she knew now that She
had been to blame, but that realization
too late, and no doubt another
the heart and home which,
might have been hers but for her own
pride.
Betty's entrance into the room put
an end to these reminiscent thoughts.
'Oh, Aunt Jane" she began breath
Il met an army captain this
afternoon-the most splendid-looking
he's coming over tonight
to write his name on your quilt"
"Well, OF all thing1" broke in Bet
tvs mother. ..Isn't that just like
Bettyr
"Why." said Jane, "she knows I
soldiers names for my quilt,
don't you? That's 6ne! Let's hurry
supper, and afterward we'll make
fudge. I'll bet he likes It,"
HE couldn't help liking the kind you
make" said Betty - she threw OF her
hat and furs and gave her aunt q low
ing little squeeze.
That evening. promptly at eight.
Captain Burton rang the bell. and Bet
ty Jew to greet him.. Ushering him
into the cosey little parl0r. she had
Just finished presenting him to her f.
Their and mother when Jane came In
from the kitchen. "And this" began
Betty, when to her complete surprise
Burton darted across the and
soizod both hands OS her aunt. who