Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-07-28

WDeD tuui received cdi 10 larger
parish he came to say goodby. and
when be asked old Hannah if Miss
Horner was in the sisters appeared
simultaneously. Suddenly Abigail was
called away, and when she returned to
the parlor the young minister had gone
and Sophia was standing at the win
dow with 4 bewiIdered look on her
pretty face.
Then a white rage had taken pos
session of Abigail. and her tongue had
loosed upon the frightened Sophia. who
turned fiercely with upbraiding contra
dictions. After that scene. which nc
one witnessed. began the long silence.
1t was of these things that Abigail was
thinking.
The next day was Sunday, and So
phia stepped down the path alone, her
worn hymn book clasped in her NIT
tened hands. She cast many anxious.
backward glances at the north wing
where AbigaiPs stern profile was out
lined against the window pane; she
was bent over the pages of the Chris
tan Work. and it was evident she die
not intend 10 go to church that morn
Ing. Sophia went on alone, swinging
her fresh muslin skirts and holding
her head rather high, quite unaware
that Abigail was watching her with
accusing eyes of mingled pity and re-
sentiment.
Sophia did not know why she was
hurrying to church that morning with
pink spot in either faded cheek. but
her heart beat quickly, and she was
conscious of pleasant excitement at
the idea of seeing Paul Weemers
again. That WAS all. She f1uttered 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 a fresh. youthful complex
ion. Then Paul Weemers 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 a man in clerical gar
ments accompanied by a woman. She
paused for a moment with a hand on
the knob, then she opened the door.
Now. Miss Abigail. don't believe
you recognize mer exclaimed the man
heartily. 81 didn't see you in church
yesterday, although Z am sure that j
recognized your sister"
''Mr. Weemers. isn't itT' 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 SophiaY' inquired
Mr.. Weemers with evident interest
81 will call her," said Abigail reluc-
family.
She stepped across the hall and
opened Sophia's door-that was the
signal when there was company for
both.
Don't you care, Sophia" she whis-
pered 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. but
there was an atmosphere of constraint
over the four people.
will you have some refreshments %
asked Abigail presently. 1T is n very
warm day." she observed. She left the
room and presently returned with
foaming glasses of root beer and
plate of freshly cut sponge cake. She
ate nothing herself. but looked intently
from her sister TO Mr. weemers and
then at the minister's wife.
The latter set down her glass do
you know, Miss Homer. that when my
husband told me he was coming TO
Rosedale on Sunday. I was delighted.
The first thing said was, Now shall
sea the Horner teapot"
Abigairs face softened $50 he re