The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1919-06-11
!. QUILT
BY ELEANOR SIMMONS

Betty's Aunt. Jane was not so very
much older than was Betty herself, six
years to be exact, and Betty had just
turned twenty. But when Captain Bur
ton, a young army officer en- route
home, stepped, off at Glenn Centre to
visit a friend at whose home, quite &C
cilentally, he met Betty, and when she
invited him over that evening for the
sole purpose Of writing his ndme on
Aunt James crazy quilt, the swift
mental vision he had Of Aunt Jane did
not do justice to that most engaging
young lady. IN. s
1"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 was need
ed most, and they kept her busy. The
postmaster didn't have anyone to drive
the mail when his son, Billy, went 50
Aunt Jane took the Job until he found
atman; and then she helped out at the
corner grocery for a WHILE and the
minute she was through there they
sent word from the shoe store, Would
she please come over and help them
ont?' 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-
lieve her feelings she started crazy
quilt. 1--WE cali it d crazy quilt" went
on Betty, 'but really, iris q beautiful
thing SO soft and asilky and CHEEKY
looking 4 All the neighbors brought IN q
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 hYt
no one who knows how. hard she
worked to help win the war would
begrudge herr the only pleasure. she
allowed herself through it. all. It viii
be sort Of war relic, too, when 1t IS
finished, for in, the center Of each
square there will be soldiers name In
his own handwriting. Won't 1t 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 real captains name on
It the first thing, and you'll probably
beiinstructed to write on the most con-
spicuous square Of all. No Wen expect
you this. evening so don't disappoint
u.s." conclnded Betty. with her prettfest
accent and Captain Burton slnillngiy
assured her that he would be there at
the appointed hour.
At home, Betty's mother was buslly
preparing supper, while her sister; Jane
sat by the window embroiderlng a
beautiful silken square. Seems good
to have you home early, Jennie, said
the elder woman. Better put that
work up now, though; this lights get
ting dim. Isn't that d piece of the
dress you had that winter YOU taught
school up in Maine ,'s.Ss ."Yes," softly
replied Jane #as she folded her work
and gazed dreamily out OF the window,
for that small piece Of silk had
awakened memories both pleasant and
painful. It had taken her back to the
little town where, six years before, she
had taught the village school, and in
cldentally learned a, lesson so well her.
self that she had never been able to
forget, although she gladly would have
done so. -.
Many changes had occurred since
then. The old home had, been broken
up, and she had come to this distant
town to live with her sister; but
through it all she had remembered.
&, Once again her heart pictured the
tall young principal and listened to his
earnest words Of love. 1t was the pro-
verbal lovers quarrel that had come
between them. She knew now that she
had been to blame, but that realization
came too lnte, and no doubt another
shared the heart and home which
might have been hers but for her own
foolish pride. snrf,f$ .eG,as
II Betty's entrance into the room put
an end to these reminiscent thoughts,
"Oh, Aunt. Jane" she began BREATH
lessly; Il met an army captain this
afternoon--the most splendid-looking
fellow-and he's coming over tonight
to write his name on your quill" - \
n swell, of all things y broke in Bet
tvs mother. "Isn't that just like
Betty" H.
"Why," said Jane; ."she knows /
want soldiers names for my quilt,
don't you? That's fine! Let's hurry
supper, and afterward Wen make
fudge. I'll bet he. likes It," e
"He couldn't help liking the kind you
make" said Betty as she threw off her
hat and furs and gave her aunt a low
ing little squeeze.
81 That evening, promptly. Mt eight,
Captain Burton rang the bell, and Bet
ty flew to- greet him. iUshering, him
into the cosey little parlor, she had
j,,st finished nreSpnttnf him ia her IA