Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-06
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
THE CRAZY QUILT
By Eleanor Simmons

DETTYS Aunt Jane was not so very
ID much older than was Betty herself,
six years to be exact. and Betty had
Just turned twenty. But when Captain
Burton. a brave young army officer en-
route home. stepped off at Glenn Center
to visit friend at whose home, quite
accidentally. he met Betty, and when
she invited him over that evening for
the sole purpose of writing his name
on Aunt james crazy-quilt, the swift
mental vision he had of Aunt Jane did
not do justice to that most engaging
young lady.
ITS like this" lisped Betty. when
our boys went to war they LEFT va
cancies that were hard to fiji in this
small town, so Aunt Jane. well, she Just
filled in wherever she was needed
most and they kept her busy. The
postmaster didn't have any one TO drive
the mail when his son. Billy. went. SO
Aunt Jane took the job until he found
a man; and then she helped out at the
corner grocery for while, and the
minute she was through there they sent
word from the shoe store Would she
please come over and help them out?
So while the rest OF US kept house and
sewed for the Red Cross she went from
one mans job to another until she de-
clared she would just have to do some
thing feminine. So to relieve her feel
lHSS she StaTteu a CTuZy-Qull. we call
1t a crazy-quilt," went on Betty, but,
really. II IL beautiful thing--so soft
and silky and CHEEKY looking, All the
neighbors brought In 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. but no one who knows
how hard she worked to help win the
war would begrudge her the only pleas
ure she allowed herself through it all.
xIi ha volt xtrI,n,
it is finished. for in the center OF each
square there will he Il soldiers name in
his own handwriting. Won't it be in
teresting? When the boys come home
| they'll all have the honor OF enrolling
IN Aunt James quilt; but she'll feel
proud TO have a real captains name on
1t the first thing, and you'll proba bly,
be instructed to write on the most con-
spicuous square OF all. No, Wen expect
you this evening. 80 don't disappoint
u.s. concluded Betty with her prettiest
accent, and Captain Burton smilingly
assured her that he would be there at
the appointed hour.
At home. Betty's mother was busily
preparing supper, while her sister Jane
sat by the window embroidering a
beautiful silken square Seems good
to have you home early, Jennie" said
the elder woman. Better put that
ting dim, Isn't that a piece of the
dress you had that winter you taught
school up In Maine?" 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. II
had taken her back to the little town
where. six years before, she had taught
the village school. and incidentally learn
ed lesson so well herself 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. ant
she had come to this distant town to live
with her sister; but through II all she
had remembered.
Once again her heart pictured the tai
young principal and listened to his earn
est words Of love. 1t was the proven.
bial lovers quarrel that had come be
tween them
Betty's entrance into the room ,,ut
en- end to these reminiscent thoughts
"Oh, Aunt Jane" she began breath
afternoon = the most splendid looking
fellow-and he's coming over tonight tc
write his name on your quilt"
That evening promptly at eight, Cap.
TO greet him. Usherng him into the
cozy little parlor, she had Just finished
presenting, him to her rather and
mother when Jane came in from the
when to her complete surprise Captain
Burton darted across the room ant
seized both hands Of her aunt, who was
biushing furiously.
Jennie !" he exclaimed, and How:
ard" said she, rather weakly; then re
covering herself she turned 10 her as.
tonished niece and said = Betty, youl
him six years ago up in Maine"
And TO think" said Betty to her
self just before the wedding as she
patted something delightfully."- soft ant
silky and gorgeous looking, with hers
and there a scrawling signature on its
this dear old crazy quilt Aunt Jan,
might never have seen her lover again =
The next complete novelette-Phiiip'
Triumph.