The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-11-03
HE CHINESE
TEAPOT

his aHalrs were in shpshape order
save one, and this one was causing
MN more anxiety than all the others.
lor on 1t depended his present happi-
ness and future plans.
AS he swung along in the direction
oi Helene Thornton's home he de-
oated within himself as to his
chances. AS he reviewed the two
years IN which he had known her he
could not remember of any time when
ny word or sign she seemed aware of
the deep admiration and love he had
Tor her. He laughed little
nervously as he remembered Ger.
tam day when they had wandered into
a chinese curio shop. An odd Chinese
teapot had pleased her and he bought
II and told her to keep it as a souve-
mr. She laughingly turned about and
bought him tiny vase in return. He
remembered how he treasured it. The
choicest spot on the mantel was it's
seat OF honor, but he never saw the
teapot, and one day, being curious, he
said:
Helene. do you remember the day
we bought the Chinese souvenirs?"
IL seemed to him that it took her an
unnecessarily long time to remember,
but finally she did, and then he said:
i have treasured that vase ever
since"
He remembered he had waited for
her to say something, and at last she
said, rather indiiferently:
Oh, the teapot; l broke it a short
time afterward."
Ii was like a dash of cold water,
and now as he strobe along it gave
him chilly feeling of doubt. How
ever, the question must be settled to-
DAY, Tor he was to be gone four
months and he could not leave it un-
settled. He had tried for a week to
see her alone, and last night he told
her that he was going to say good
by to-day, and so it was with feel
ing Of determination that he rang the
bell.
Her 12-year-old brother opened the
door.
Come right in. Mr.. Harding. I'm
awfully glad to see you" He closed
the door and led the way to the sit
ting room.
I'm all alone. My cold is much
better and I'm busy working for Aunt
Jane" He showed Phil a collection
of broken china that he was gluing to-
gether.
Phil stammered: isn't your sister
in?"
Helene? No, she went out, but said
that she would be back at half past
five"
Half past flve," echoed Phil. At
that time he would be on his way to
the train. He knew that she had gone
out to avoid him and for the instant
he was angry, then he resolved des-
perately to wait, even If he missed the
train. and settle it at once
Henry chatted away fas he worked
and finally surveyed his finished task
with pride.
Helene has an old dish upstairs
that she thinks . lot Of. It's broken
and she'll Be delighted to have It
fixed"
'AA up.0's ane eAMo DECK WIN
'no VIZ oisA' sAo rans hsAls ssVs
~ ier ne Wa noieAAs 'As CA1nsss
"~pe~
Me you say That your sAsser va
yea ''' Nc nd ems1].
well. l don't say shs valued IT. u
doesn't look worth much. but 81
thought lot Of 1t. Perhaps some Ons
that's dead gave 1t to her"
Tbs bright thought settled every
thing to him.
ITS full OF truck" he said as ha
proceeded to dump q miscellaneous
collection OF things on the table. Such
things as tumbled out! A dance order,
knot OF ribbon, snap shot which
Phil recognized Immediately, faded
rosebud, tiny watch charm. etc.
Phll felt little guilty as he glanced
at the pile. 1t seemed as though he
was intruding on sacred ground. Still
he had not been to blame; it was the
prother VINO had unconsclously laid
bare her secrets. He resolved TO