Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1910-08-20

Sophia did not know why she vi,
hurrying to church that morning wild
n pink spot in either faded cheek, ID
her heart beat quickly. and she va
conscious OF a pleasant excitement
the idea OF seeing Paul WeemeI
again. That was all. She tiuttered n
leaves of her Bible as she waited d
the service to begin. She wonderd
vaguely where Mrs. Weemers woul
sit and concluded that she was n
fashionably attired woman who So,
the minister's pew. She was plumb
pretty woman with dark hair wavlJ
back from fresh, youthful compleI
Ion. Then Paul Weemers came In aj
Sophia gasped with surprise. He va
rather stout and much older. and N
hair and beard were quite gray.
The next morning while the sistel
were attending to their separate housl
hold duties the doorbell toned al
mally. Abigail went into the trOi
hall and, peering through the side vIl
dow light, saw a man In clerical I'd
ments accompanied by a woman. 81
| paused for a moment with hand
the knob, then she opened the door.
"Now. Miss Abigail. don't belle
you recognize mer exclaimed the nd
heartily. 81 didn't see you In churl
yesterday, although ] am sure that|
recognized your sister,"
"Mr Weemers. isn't tit" asked Al
gail coldly. won't you come IMP
Eyes, and this Is my wife; my de2
this is Miss Horner, one of my 4
friends and parishioners."
81 have heard my husband speak
you and your lovely old house, nd
Horner," said the lady pleasantly.
They went into Abigail's cool parA
"Where is Miss Sophia7 inqulr
II will call her." said Abigail rel
family.
She stepped across the hall d.
opened Sophia's door-that was
signal when there was company
both.
Don't you care, Sophia" she WI,
pered with fierce intensity as her
ter followed her into the room.
Sophia was visibly agitated. 81
stammered greetings to the minis Y
and his wife. which Abigail tried
| cover by commonplace remarks,
/ there was an atmosphere of constraI
over the four people.
"Will you have some refreshmen1
asked Abigail presently. ut is a
warm day." she observed. She left 4
room and presently returned "A
foaming glasses of root beer and
plate of freshly cut sponge cake. 81
ate nothing herself, but looked intena
from her sister to Mr.. Weemers y
then at the minister's wife.
The latter set down her glass.
you know, Miss Horner. that when
husband told me he was coming
Rosedale on Sunday was delight
The first, thing said was, Now 81
sea the Horner teapotv"
Abigail's face softened. $50 he
membered our teapotT' she asked.
Eyes, indeed. have q mania for
china. and Paul shares the mania.
has spoken of the teapot as such
lovely example of willow pattern, &
told him positively must see It"
Abigail went to walnut cabinet Il
brought forth large blue and VII
teapot. 1t had been in the Horner u
lily for many generations and wal a
treasured heirloom.
How perfectly lovelyr' exclain
Mrs. Weemers, while her husbd
hung over It in silent admiration. s.
denly he Strengthened back in bis ct
and laughed heartily.
"You do not know, Miss Abigail, ~
hard i strove one day, many years
to ask you to sell me that famous
pot. had seen 1t and succumbed to n
before left Rosedale, called to
goodby and at the same time to asI
you would sell 1t. but l realized
presumption and hardly hoped
would do so. tried to breach the
ject, but somehow I couldn't seem
make any Roadway. 1 recollect
you were called from the ROOM an
tried to approach your sister on
subject. but she seemed to want
talk Of everything except the teapot
gave 1t up and went away. vi
to you once and asked about 1t, bu4
1 never heard from you presume
letter went astray."
Abigail and Sophia were looking
one another over the blue tea
There was a startled expression In
phia's eyes. while Abigail looked
ingly at her sister.
Abigail found her voice first
sister and would like to give you
teapot, Mrs. Weemers," she said,
decision in her tones. ''There is no
to care for 1t after we are gone,
you and your husband seem to pri1 N
so highly we would like you to
It"
"But-we cannot--it is too mucI
stammered Mrs. Weemers.
"Oh, yesr cried Sophia Gag
"You must take 1t. We want 20
have 1t. Abigail and have so
old fashioned things"
Abigail left the room to wrap the
pot in paper and to escape the EN-
thanks of the delighted Wee9
Sophia followed her sister. trem
with some unexplained emotion.
Removing the lid, Abigail thrus
hand into the teapot and drew FOL
yellowed envelope. She held 1t to
Sophia.
tits yours" she said shortly.