The spectator., 1921-03-15
AUNT WIN
By LUcRETIA M. GARDNER

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 Want to get up, Tom? This is the tenth time you have brushed against my dress. You ought to know better. This isn't any time of day to beg me to take you up; dishes not washed, nothing done. But come along"' And the frall little lady suited the action to her words and lifted the sturdy maltese into her lap.
 '1 am just as blue as a whetstone, Tom" she said, "and ought not to be, for that was as good a serman as I ever heard preached Just boiled down common sense and there ought not to be any dregs left to worry my soul. You cant say anything, can you, Tom. but you're purring like music box"
 sudden knock sounded at the door, was followed by girls voice.
 Its only Molly. Aunt Win" Then when the frail little lady drew the bolt. the young voice exclaimed: Why, I never knew you to bolt the door at this time of day Are you sick?"
 Molly rushed across the threshold. gave Aunt Win hearty hug. then looking at the table in the living room. with its barely touched food. said:
 You must be sick for you have not eaten a mite for dinner"
 "Sit down. child" Aunt Win an swered quietly, "I was just talking with Tom and wondering what the matter was with me"
 That was q tip-top sermon. wasn't 1t, Aunt Win? It just made me sit up and take notice, but you didn't need to take 1t to heart" Molly said. batting her listeners cheek
 Dear child, that's just it! Of course,' Aunt Win explained. when 1t comes to making a loaf of cake or knitting, to help my church I do my mite, but" pause emphasized by the solemn ticking of the tall clock, and then, but, Molly, when it's case of dollars and cents I haven't any to give, and yet I love my church and what it stands for as dearly as any one in this place. Why shouldn't I? It has helped me when everything was swept from me. and isn't that a test? 1 have found my faith lit to live by and expect to die by 1t when my call comes"
 Perhaps this dreary dark day has upset you suggested the girl. but you aren't ever blue. Let's pile on the wood. Oh. these beauty andlrons You polished them yesterday. I know"
 sudden gleam fitted across the shining tops and seemed to bring an Illuminating thought to Aunt Wini- fred. She choked back a sigh and half sob. then sank into the nearest chair while Molly put on fresh logs. In a trembling voice the little lady said:
 '.'rhese are very precious androns. they are more than 100 years old and were given to my great-grandmother In payment for teaching Maria Hus- sey's children at Cent school
 Gent school?" repeated Molly in surprise. What on earth was Cent schoolT'
 That was long before your genera ton, dear. when little children were taught the tlree Rs by dear old ladies and carried their cents in corners of their handkerchiefs to pay. I set my eyes by these andirons." She mur- mured as if alone in the room. Gan do it? Can I make up my mind to do it?
 Molly glanced up suddenly at Aunt Winifred. Was she just right in her mind? she wondered.
 "Oh, don't worry, I'm not out of my head. child, but these andlrons have preached me a sermon. too. Do you know Mrs. James has been wild to buy them. and now I've made up my mind I'll sell them for Sl5-would you. say?"
 "Fifteen?-nothing of the kind Why!" exclaimed Molly. you're not a bit of a trader. They are worth $50. But, oh, dear how can you part with them? What will you do without them? How keep warm?'
 Have fire In the air-tight and forget them. Fifty. do you say2 Then" Aunt Win added breathlessly, "rll give S30 to my church and S20 to the Red Cross in memory of our Will, dear, dear boy"
 Then fell the first tears as Aunt Wins thoughts sped across the seas to lonely grave in the Argonne,
 'I just hate, dear Aunt Win, to have you give them up" murmured Molly once more.
 "Sh-not word I'll just go to work and rid up these dishes"
 "Yes," interrupted Molly, and If you really mean It I'll have John take them over to Mrs. James this after noon or tomorrow"
 "No, no, the quicker the betterl" Aunt Winifred hustled around so brisk ly that Molly felt the spirit of the hour and said:
 "Tll slip away now, before John goes