The herald., 1919-08-28
TURNING TABLES
BY PEARL 3. MEYER.

In the garrett
Whats this?" she Quer.ed, hauling
out some white material.
Beckie, her niece, drew her brows to-
gether
That's the bureau scarf l started
last winter. You didn't ike the pat
tern, so l dropped it."
HIN" said Aunt Jane. What's
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. / started that shirt
waist over year ago. I'd forgotten
al! 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"
DO what you set out to do. This
applies to greater things than bu-
reau scarfs and shlrtwaists. II you
know thing is right, go ahead with
IT."
But, auntie," interrupted Beckie,
this time successfully. How am l to
know that 1 can trust my own judg-
ment?"
Your conscience will tell you"
Beckle. sitting bumped over the toy
OF trunk, pOndered deeply.
Then" she said finally, "if / start
to do something that l am sure Is
right, l should not allow even you
even you, auntie-to swerve me from
my purpOse"
Exactly" returned her aunt, with
a pleased nod. Lets go down now.
want to take a nap.
The nap heightened into a regular
snooZe. Aunt Jane was q sound sleep
er. She was aroused finally by knock
Ing on the door.
ITS half-past four" called Beckie.
Aunt Jane arose hurriedly. Her SIM
pie toilet did not take many minutes
Giving a final hurried dab at her tight
ly 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 ysice
close to the keyhole, but I'm doing
what you told me to do"
Unlock this DOOR" demanded Aunt
Jans sternly.
Il can't"
What do you mean?"
mot 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 James hands sank Imply to
her sides. Beckie had Willingly made
her a prisoner.
"Beckie Stowell. let me 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 this7"
mo" In breathless haste. 81 Just
asked him to come to supper tonight.
told him had real nice surprise for
him."
"A real nice SURPRISE" mimicked
Aunt Jane; then, after slight pause;
HE will get 1t"
"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
Aunt Jane leaned weakly against
The door, her thoughts In such turmoil
hat she was momentarily stricken
1umb. The minister due at six. The
table not set. The biscuits. In an
,utburst Of despairing rage, she beat
N the door with her clenched fists.
"Beckiel" she shrieked. "Beckiew
No reply. From the distant down.
'tairs came little Gathering sounds as
Il dishes being moved.
''It's twenty minutes Of six. Aunt
lane"
my biscuits !" walled Aunt Jane.
You wicked girl. shall never forgive
'ou as long as I live"
These bitter words evoked a little
ob from the free side Of the door.
A terrifying idea flashed into Aunt
lanes mind. Did the girl mean she
night run away7 All her wrath was
wept away suddenly In flood tide Of
ove She could never think Of
,eckie other than a child. That was
rhy she would never listen to her talk
( marrying.
"Its ten minutes Of SIX" pleaded
,eckie. "Oh-I heard the gate click"
here was momentary quaver in her :
dice. aunt Jane-Dwight is so DEAR"
Ter voice sank to breath.
The jangle Of the dOor-bell rang
hrough the house. But to Aunt James {
cart, Beckie's whispered words sound I
d louder than did the bell to her I
ars. =
"Beckie," she questioned, "are you {
ure you're right" T
"Yes," came the answer with 8
uick intake of breath.
"Then you shall have him, dear" {
The key ratified in the lock. The Z
oor swung open. Aunt Jane and q
E 4 4 a