Gilpin observer., 1919-07-24
TURNING TABLES
~ PEARL ,. MEYER.

Aunt Jane leaned over an open chest
in the garret.
whats thisr she queried, hauling
out some white material.
Beckie, her niece, drew her brows to-
gether.
That's the bureau scarf I started
last winter. You didn't like the pat
tern, SO I dropped It."
Him." said Aunt Jane. whats
this?" She pulled out something gay
with colors.
"Oh, that's the table runner. got
SO sick Of 1t never finished the thing"
Him. And this?" Another article
was brought to light.
Goodness me- I started that shirt
waist over year ago. I'd forgotten
all about it."
"Sinee you were old enough to re-
member" commenced Aunt Jane, II
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. II you
know thing is right, 60 ahead with
it."
But, auntie," interrupted Beckie.
this time successfully. "How am to
know that I 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, "if 1 start
to do something that l am sure is
right, I should not allow even you
even you, auntie-to swerve me from
my purposew
Exactly" returned her aunt, with
pleased nod. Lets 60 down now. I
want to take nap.
The nap heightened into a regular
snOOze. Aunt Jane was sound Sleep
er. She was aroused finally by knock
Ing on the door.
TITS half-past four" called Beckie.
Aunt Jane arose hurriedly. Her sim
pie toilet did not take many minutes.
Giving 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.
"Pm SO sorry" spoke small voice
close to the keyhole, "but I'm doing
what you told me to do"
Unlock this door," demanded Aunt
Jane sternly.
II can't"
what do you meanr
mot 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.
stant.
II WILL" came the pleading voice,
"if you'll say that may marry
Dwight"
Never" she ragged. "Does that
that whippersnapper know you have
done this7"
"No." In breathless haste. II just
asked him to come to supper tonight.
told him had real nice surprise for
him."
"A real nice surprise" mimrcked
Aunt Jane: then. after a slight pause;
HE will get It,"
"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
downstairs"
Aunt Jane leaned weakly against
thss hAp M evI oI, ~an
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 fsts.
"Beckiei" she shrieked. "Beckiew
No reply. From the distant down.
stairs came little Gathering sounds as
Of dishes being moved.
"It's twenty minutes Of six. Aunt
Jane"
my biscuitsi" walled Aunt Jane.
'You wicked girl. shall never forgive
you as long az live"
These bitter words evoked little
sob from the free side Of the door.
A terrifying idea flashed into Aunt
James mind. Did the girl mean she
might run away7 All her wrath was
swept away suddenly In flood tide Of
love. She could never think Of
Beckie other than child. That was
why she would never listen to her talk
Of marrying.
"It's ten minutes Of six," pleaded
Beckie. ooh heard the gate click"
There was momentary quaver in her
voice. Aunt Jane-Dwight is 30 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