The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1919-07-18
TURNING TABLES

Aunt Jane leaned over an open chest
In the garnet.
whats this7" she queried, hauling
out some white material.
Beckle, her niece, drew her brows to-
gether.
that's the bureau scarf I started
| last winter. You didn't like the pat
tern, so l dropped It,"
"H'm," said Aunt Jane. whats
this" She pulled out something gay
with colors. =
"Oh, that's the table runner. I got
SO sick of 1t never finished the thing"
Him. And this?" Another article
was brought to light.
Goodness me. l started that shirt
waist over year ago. I'd forgotten
all about It,"
"Slnce you were old enough to re-
member" commenced Aunt Jane, 81
have tried to impress on you the value
of finishing what you commence"
do what you set out to do. This
applies to greater things than bu-
reau scarfs and shirtwaists. If you
know thing Is right, go ahead with
It," ~ T,e,5. & i Stc-s sr--siaF' 40 4
"But, auntie," interrupted Beckie,
this time successfully. "How am ! to
know that can trust my own judg-
ment"
"Your conscience will tell YOU"
Beckie. sitting bumped over the toy
of trunk, pondered deeply.
"Then," she said finally, "lf start
to do something that I am sure Is
right, should not allow even you
even you, auntie-to swerve me from
my purposes"
Exactly" returned her aunt, with
pleased nod. Lets go down now.
want to take nap.
The nap heightened into regular
snoOze. Aunt Jdne was sound sleep
err. She was aroused finally by knock
ing on the door.
"It's half-past four" called Beckie.
Aunt Jane arose hurrledly. Her sim
pie toilet did not take many minutes.
Giving a final hurried dab at her tight
Iy twisted pug of gray hair, she moved
toward the door. To her astonish-
ment, 1t was locked. She ratified the
knob vigorously. ~
"Beckie," she called.
"I'm so sorry" spoke a small voice
close to the keyhole, ''but I'm doing
what you told me to do"
unlock this door," demanded Aunt
Jane sternly.
81 can't"
"What do you meanw
"Not until you promise me some
thing" said Beckie meekly. "My heart
tells me I am right. This is the only
way. I've begged and begged and
prayed; but you have always said no."
Aunt James hands sank Imply to
her sides. Beckie had Willingly made
her a prisoner.
"Beckie Stowell. let me out this In
slant.
II WILL" came the pleading voice,
eff you'll say that I may marry
Dwight"
Never she rnged. "Does that
that whippersnapper know you have
done this?'
mo" In breathless haste. II just
asked him to come to supper tonight. I
told him had real nice surprise for
him."
"a real nice SURPRISE" mlmicked
Aunt Jane; then, after slight pause;
"He will get It."
ooh anntia poctfo,c voica Woo f,,ll
Of tears-''then you can't come out.
It's after five now. I've got to go
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 despairing rage, she beat
on the door with her clenched fists.
"Beckie!" she shrieked. "Beckieis
No reply. From the distant down
stairs came little gathering sounds AZ
of dishes being moved.
'Tt's twenty minutes Of six, Aunt
Jane"
my biscuitsr walled Aunt Jane.
"You wicked girl. shall never forgive
you as long as / live"
These bitter words evoked a 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 flood tide Of
love. She could never think of
Beckie other than a child. That was
why she would never listen to her talk
Of marrying.
.Tt's ten minutes Of six," pleaded
Beckie. ooh heard the gate click"
There was momentary quaver in her
voice. "Aut Jane-Dwight is so dear"
Her voice sank to breath.
The jangle Of the door-bell rang
through the house. But to Aunt James
heart, Beckie's whispered words sound
ed louder than did the bell to her
ears.
"Beckie," she questioned, "are you
sure you're right" NJ
"Yes," came the answer with
quick intake Of breath.
"Then you shall have him. dear"