Graham guardian., 1921-01-14
A GOOD MISTAKE
sy N. ALLlNE wssKs.

| &C. we ey Mcclure Newspanar aSsdicate.
There was an air Of expectancy
aoSdt the place, as though II kaJi been
wafthg for centuries for dslfverance
fsom Tie ses that held II there. Even
Bi&s Urton, station agent, general
store proprietor and postmaster, lay
back In his chair against the wall of
the station pnd 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. Nst q human
being was in sight, except the station
agent, and II was with some misgiv.
ings that she spoke to him. sti:l he
slept, and II took q sharp poke to
awaken him.
''Bless them fiies I" said Elias, as he
slapped at fly reposing on hts bald
head. Then he sleepily opened one
eye and saw Elizabeth Ann.
"we1l-what do you want7" ne said.
"can you tell me where Mrs. Elwell
iives7"
"Yes. but she went to Boston this
morning on business, 30 she said. Be
Back Saturday" drawfed Elias.
ibid you sverl How could she for
get that was comingt" said Elizabeth
Ann. half to herself. Then to Elias:
TITS certain I've got TO stay, now I'm
here; so IL you will tell me how to
get there. I'll keep house until she
comes"
After directions as to where to fnd
the key, she started out, and In a
short tlmc 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.
"I didn't know Aunt Mira had such
a 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 prettify 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. EliE-
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
II II we're burglars.
"Say, mother" said masculine
voice, "here's a pink sweater and some
other things never saw before"
"And some ones eaten what we left
In the refrigerator There has been
Some one in this house. Looks like
a strange woman was in this house
aow."
At fhis Elizabeth Ann hastily slipped
on a kimono and cap and stepped out
into the hall, but drew back as young
man came up the stairs.
'"Weil, who are your" he asked.
II think 7 might ask you the same
question" retOrted the girl,
"What are you doing In this house
Ia that costumeY" 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 your"
"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
ladyf' he asked, as his mother ap.
peared at his side.
BY this time the lady addressed ms
"mother" took the matter in hand, as
she saw the girls embarrassment.
'who is your aunt, my dearl" she
asked.
Mrs. Elwell, my mothers sister
Mira" replied Elizabeth Ann.
"There is some mistake. I'm not
Mira Elwell, although my name is FL
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. Elwells 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 II, and she and Mrs. Elwell began
an acquaintance which they never gave
up. While they talked together, Ells-
abeth Ann and Robert picked an arm.
full of beautiful oldfashloned flowers
| for his mother.
During the next three weeks Robert
Elweil spent great deal OF his time
with Elizabeth Ann. The momentous
time came, as II always does, and when
the sparkling ring had been slipped OH
her finger, she exclaimed: "And the
f,rst time you saw me You thought
was a burglar"
"You were then, and you are now,
| nj nnlu