The Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 191?-19??, 1919-05-21
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THE TANGLED WEB:
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BY LoTTlE w. SIMMONS.
Observation-Disclosures

1 Aunt Betty was good neighbor, a
], good cook and q good hand to look
after the 17-year-old niece intrusted to
her care-a pretty little miss with a
] too large appetite for ice cream sodas
and the admiring gIances of tall young
soldiers.
When bake-a-pie day rolled around
1t fell to Elizabeth to wrap DIP 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
reptitiOusly tucked a small strip Of
paper with the words: "If you like this
pie call at % Bowdoin street Saturday
evening for another" Aunt Betty al
ways baked on Saturday and spent the
evening at the Red Cross rooms, Ieav-
Ing Elizabeth alone to keep house.
1t was a most delicious pie. 50
thought Lieut.. John H, as he
tucked Elizabeth's note inside his
pocket. 1t was Saturday evening be-
fore he thought Of It again. at just
about the same time that Elizabeth
was fiuffing her hair and wondering
If her scheme for a little fun would
bring any results
When the bell rang Elizabeth few to
the door, sweet little plnk-faced Wis
Ion In blue. Lieutenant H 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 an
other pie? Well, come right ln--I have
one for you-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. 81 must compll-
ment you on your skill as a pie-maker,
Miss -" hesitating to learn her
name. Elizabeth looked blank for a
second; then "T-," she added glib
ly. Elizabeth r; and now who Is
going to accept this pie?" Elizabeth
thrilled little when she learned his
name and his rank, and quite suddenly
decided that he was very, very good
looking. They chatted pleasantly for a
few moments after which Lieutenant
II very properly took his leave.
"You may have another pie next Sat-
urday evening-lf 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.
"Sskes alive you didn't eat whole
pie last night, did you, Elizabeth"
she asked. Mercy, no! Aunt Betty.
Someone called at the door last night
and I gave one, away,
Aunt Betty had just placed the pie
board on the table when the telephone
rang mistakenly Elizabeth flew to an
swer it. ooh, It's for YOU she called.
"Lizzie B Is sick and they want
you to come right 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 dlsmay Mt 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, but was
too wise to attempt the pie. Supper
time came, and no Aunt Betty She
telephOned instead saying that she
would be home early in the evening.
Elizabeth was in despair. OF course
auntie would come while Lieutenant
H was there What should she
do? 1t was not the radiant Elizabeth
OF the week before who answered
Lieutenant H-'s ring at the bell,
but a very sober little girl in plain
white dress. Hardly was he seated
before Aunt Betty hustled In. Eliza
DGlH lIOul Nl0 bCSl oiAO
could, and Aunt Betty's frown van
ished before the frank smile and cor
dial handshake Of the engaging young
soldier. IF your niece will make such
delicious pies" he began when the
were over. "Bless my
SOUL" interrupted Aunt Betty, did
you bake pies today, Elizabeth? You
never made pies before in your life"
Looks on the two faces before her
stopped her. "Oh, Mr.. H Oh,
Aunt Betty" stammered Elizabeth;
then realizing that she must either
laugh or cry she began to laugh which
was the best. thing she could do She
explained everything to her listeners
rs gracefully as she could, ending with
II don't think I am a natural-bOrn
1ecciver-really; still I don't know
Why l fooled you both so. Please for
give me-" John H laughed good
laturedly, seeming neither shocked
nor offended, much to Ellzabeth's re-