Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-08-13

hurrying TO church that morning with
a pink spot In either faded check. but
her heart beat quickly. and she was
conscious OF n pleasant excitement AT
the idea OF seeing Paul Weemers
again. That was all She futtered the
leaves OF her Bible as she waited for
the service to begin. She wondered
vaguely where Mrs. Weemers would
sit and concluded that she was the
fashionably attired woman who sat In
the minister's pew. She was plump.
pretty woman with dark hair waving
back from fresh. youthful complex.
ion. Then Paul wecmers came In. and
Sophia gasped with surprise. He was
rather stout and much older. and his
hair and beard were quite gray.
The next morning while the sisters
were attending to their separate house
hold duties the doorbell toned dis
mally. Abigail went into the front
hall and. peering through the side win.
dow light. saw n man in clerical gar
mcnts accompanied by woman. She
paused for a moment with hand on
the knob. then she opened the door.
"Now. Miss Abigail. don't believe
you recognize mel exclaimed the man
heartily. II didn't see you in church
yesterday. although am sure that !
recognized your sister"
mfr. Weemers. isn't III" asked Abb.
gail coldly. Wont you come in:'
"Yes. and this Is my wife: my dear,
this Is Miss Horner. one Of my old
friends and parishioners."
II have heard my husband speak OF
you and your lovely old house. Miss
Horner." said the lady pleasantly.
They went into Abigails cool parlor.
where is Miss SophiaT' inquired
Mr. Weemers with evident interest.
II will call her." said Abigail reluc.
family.
She stepped across tho ball and
opened sophia's door-that was the
signal when there was company for
both.
Don't you care. Sophia" she wills.
percd with fierce intensity as her sis
ter followed her into the room.
Sophia was visibly agitated She
stammered greetings to the minister
and his wife. which Abigail tried to
cover by commonplace remarks. bu,
there was an atmosphere OF constrainl
over the four people.
"Will you have some refreslmrnt:
asked Abigail presently. ut is Il very
warm day." she observed. She left the
room and presently returned with
foaming glasses OF root beer aud a
plate of freshly cut sponge cake. She
ate nothing herself. but looked iniently
from her sister TO Mr.. weemcrs and
then at the minister's wife.
The latter set down her glass 'Do
you know, Miss Horner. that when my
husband told me he was coming to
Rosedale on Sunday was delighted.
The first thing said was. Now ! shall
sen the Horner teapot"
Abigails face softened. $50 he re-
membered our teapot?' she asked.
"Yes, indeed. have a mania for old
china. and Paul shares the mania. lie
has spoken Of the teapot as such
lovely example OF willow pattern. and
l told him positively must see IT,"
Abigail went to a walnut cabinet and
brought forth a large blue and white
teapot. 1t had been in the Horner fam.
fly for many generations and was n
treasured heirloom.
How perfectly. lovely!' exclaimed
Mrs Weemers. while her husband
hung over II in silent admiration. Sud
and laughed heartily.
You do not know. Miss Abigail. how
hard strove one day. many years ago.
to ask you TO sell me that famous tea
pot. had seen II and succumbed 10 It's
beauty. l remember just day or so
before ! left Rosedale. I called TO say
goodby and at the same time to ask II
you would sell II. but / realized my
presumption and hardly hoped you
would do so. tried TO breach the sub
ject but somehow couldn't seem TO
make any Roadway. recollect that
you were called from the room. and
tried to approach your sister on the
subject. but she seemed TO want to
talk OF everything except the teapot. so
gave II up and went away. wrote
to you once and asked about II. but as
never heard from you presume the
letter went astray."
Abigail and Sophia were looking at
one another over the blue teapot.
There was startled expression 10 So
phla's eyes. while Abigail looked pity
ingly at her sister.
Abigail found her voice FIRST. "My
sister and would like to give you the
teapot. Mrs. Weemers. she said. with
decision in her tones. "Thcre is no one
TO care for II after we are gone. and
you and your husband seem to prize II
so highly we would like you TO have
It."
"But-we cannot--it is too much
stammered Mrs. Weemers.
"oh. yesr' cried Sophia eagerly
You must take II. We want you TO
have It. Abigail and have so many
old fnShlonod things"