The Raymer enterprise., 1919-11-27

~ F8AUG - Wetkus
tcepyright. lsis. BY the Mcclure News
paper syn1icats.)
Aunt Jane leaned over IN open chest
In the garrett
whats thisi' she queried, hauling
ont some white material.
Beckie. her niece. drew her brows to-
gether.
that's tho bureau scarf l started
last winter. You didn't like the pat
tern, - dropped It"
"H'm," said Aunt Jane. "What's
thisr She pulled out something gay
with colors.
'Oh. that's the table runner. / got
- sick Of It never finished the ching"
HIN. And thisi" Another article
was brought to light
Goodness me. I started that shirt
waist over year ago. I'd forgotten
oil about It."
"Since ysu were old enough to re-
member" commenced Aunt Jane, +
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-
rsau scarfs and shirtwaists. II you
know 4 thing is right. 90 ahead with
It."
But, auntie," interrupted Beckie.
this time successfully. How am to
know that I can trust my own judy
mentr'
"Yeur conscience will tell you"
Deckie. sitting bumped over the toy
Of Z trunk, pondered deeply.
'Then." she SAID finally. III I start
to DO something that I am sure is
right should not allow even you
even you. auntte-to, swerve me from
my purposer
Exactly" rsturnedNher aunt. with
. pleased nod. Lets - down now. ]
want to take ainap.
The nap Heightened into regular
snoose. Aunt, Jane was a sound sleep
Or. She was aroused finally by knock
ing On the door.
TITS half-past four" called Beckie.
Aunt Jana arose hurrledly. Her sim
pie toilet did not take many minutes.
Giving final hurried dab at her tight
" twisted pug Of gray hair. she moved
toward the door. To her astonish-
ment, It was locked. She ratified the
knob vigorously.
"Beckie," she called.
I'm 70 sorry" spoke a,small voice
close to the keyhoIe, but I'm doing
what you told me to d."
unlock this door," demanded Aunt
Jane sternly.
II can't"
what do you meanf'
mot until you promise me some
thing" said Beckis meekly. "Mylheart
tells me ! am right. This II they only
way. I've begged and begged and
prayed; but you have always said mo-"
Aunt James hands sank Imply to
her sides. Beclrie had Willingly made
her q prisoner.
"Beckie Stowell. letIme out this In
slant.
Il WILL" came the pleading voice,
IF you'll say that I may marry
Dwight"
"Never." she ragged Does that
that whippersnapper know you have
done thisf
NO" In breathless haste. II Just
asked him to come to supper tonight. !
told him I had a real nice surprise, for
him."
"A real nice SURPRISE" mimIcked
Aunt Jane; then, after slight pause !;
He will get It."
+ ooh, auntie." Beckie'ssvoice 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. hersthoughts In such turmoil
that she was momentarily stricken
dumb. The minister due, at six. The
table not set. The bIscuts-r. In an
outburst of despairing rage, she beat
on the door with her clencheds fists.
"Beckie!" she shrieked. "Eseckiew
No reply. From the distant down
stairs came little Gathering sounds as
Vt dishes being moved.
ITS twenty minutes oftsix,, Aunt
Jane"
my biscuitsp walled Aunt Jane.
lyon wicked girl. shall newerfforgive
you as long ~ I live"
These bitter words evokedAa little
sob from the free side Of the door.
A terrifying idea flashed Into Aunt
James mind. Did the girl, mean she
might run awayf All her wrath was
swept away suddenlyfn aShood tide Of
love. She could never think Of
Beckie other than tchild. That was
why she would never listen to her talk
Of marrying.
ITS ten minutes, Of six," ,pleaded
Beckie. ooh I heard the gate. click"
There was momentary Quaver' In her
voice. aunt Jane Dwight ID 90: dear
Her voice sank to breath.
The jangle Of the doorhell rang
through the house Bnf IN Amt lanes