The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1920-05-27
A GOOD MISTAKE
BY M. ALLlNE WEEKS.


10. 1S20, by Mcclure Newspaper Syndlcate.)
There was an air of expectancy
about the place. as though it had been
waiting for centuries for deliverance
from the ties that held it there. Even
Elias Upton. station agent, general
store proprietor and postmaster, lay
back in his chair against the wall of
the station and slept soundly as the
train ratified in. stopped to let pas
senger off, and went out again.
The departing train left Elizabeth
Ann standing on the platform with a
suitcase in each hand. Not human
being was in sight. except the station
agent, and it was with some misgiv-
ings that she spoke to him. Still he
| slept, and it took a sharp poke to
awaken him.
| "Bless them flies ~ said Elias, as he
slapped at fly reposing on his bald
head. Then he sleepily opened one
eye and saw Elizabeth Ann.
"Well-what do you want?" he said.
"Can you tell me where Mrs. Elwell
livesY
Eyes, but she went to Boston this
morning on business, so she said. Be
back Saturday." drawled Elias.
| "Did you ever! How could she for
! get that was coming?" said Elizabeth
Ann, half to herself. Then to Elias:
cts certain I've got to stay, now Pm
here; so if you will tell me how to
! get there, I'll keep house until she
| comes"
After directions as to where to find
the key, she started out, and In a
short time came to little white house
set far back from the road. The cur
tains were drawn, and the porch chairs
| piled UP in one corner of the >veranda.
II didn't know Aunt Mira had such
pretty place, but it must be the one.
He said the key was behind the blind
for the ice man, so can get in all
right"
The house was prettily furnished,
! and after opening up some windows,
Elizabeth Ann foraged the pantry and
refrigerator and found plenty to eat.
She went to bed. about nine o'clock in
what appeared to be the guest room, as
Elizabeth Ann had been invited by
her aunt, Mira Elwell, to spend her
vacation with her at Brookside. Eliz-
| abeth Ann had never been there be-
| fore, and did not know much about
| Aunt Mira, except that she was her
mothers favorite sister.
The first two days and nights passed
without interruption, but on the third
night Elizabeth Ann was awakened in
the night by an automobile coming up
the drive. Some one unlocked the door
and soon Elizabeth Ann heard voices
below in the kitchen. She opened her
bedroom door and listened, wondering
!! If it were burglars.
"Say, MOTHER" said masculine
voice, "here's pink sweater and some
other things never saw before"
'sAnd some ones eaten what we left
! in the refrigerator. There has been
some one in this house. Looks like
strange woman was in this house
| now"
| At this Elizabeth Ann hastily slipped
on kimono and cap and stepped out
into the hail. but drew back as a young
man came up the stairs.
"Well, who are you?" he asked.
81 think might ask you the same
question:" retorted the girl.
"What are you doing in this house
in that costume?" said the man.
II have every right in the world to
be in this house." was the reply.
"Come, young lady; let's get down
to business. Who are you?"
"My name is Elizabeth Ann Taylor.
and am keeping house until my aunt
gets back from Boston. She invited me
| to spend my vacation with her; so
here am" was the answer.
Mother, do you know this young
Lady," he asked. as his mother ap.
peared at his side.
By this time the lady addressed as
mother" took the matter in hand, as
she saw the girls embarrassment.
"Who is your aunt, my dear?" she
asked.
'.Mrs. Elwell, my mothers sister
Mira" replied Elizabeth Ann.
'There is some mistake. I'm not
Mira Elwell, although my name is Ell
we'll. Why, Robert, she must mean the
Miss Elwell on the Lane road. How
stupid of me not to have remembered
her before
"Then this isn't my aunt's house, and
I've eaten up all your food, and"
By this time Elizabeth Ann was in
tears. Robert Elwell, for this was
Mrs. Elwell's son, walked out and left
the two women alone. Mrs. Elwell
arranged that Elizabeth Ann should
stay with her until some time the next
day. when Robert would drive her over
to Aunt Mira's.
When the mistake was explained to
, Aunt Mira the next day she laughed
over it, and she and Mrs. Elwell began
an acquaintance which they never gave
up. While they talked together, Eliz.
abeth Ann and Robert picked an arm.
full of beautiful old-fashioned flowers
for his mother.
: During the next three weeks Robert
Elwell spent great deal of his time
with Elizabeth Ann. The momentous
time came, as it always does, and wher
l