Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1910-02-17
THE CHINESE
TEAPOT

Philip Harding glanced at his watch
after having said good-by all around
to the home folks. He saw he had
still three hours to train time. His
trunk was already at the depot and
his affairs were in shipshape order,
save one, and this one was causing
him more anxiety than all the others,
for on it depended his present happi-
ness and future plans.
AS he swung along in the direction
of Helene Thornton's home he de-
bated 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
by word or sign she seemed aware of
the deep admiration and love he had
for her. He laughed little
nervously as he remembered a Ger.
tain day when they had wandered into
Chinese curio shop. An odd Chinese
teapot had pleased her and he bought
it and told her to Keep it as a souve-
mir. She laughingly turned about and
bought him tiny vase in return. He
".
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?"
1t seemed to him that it took her an
unnecessarily long time to remember,
but finally she did, and then he said:
II have treasured that vase ever
since"
He remembered he had waited for
her to say something, and at last she
said, rather indifferently:
Oh, the teapot; 1 broke it a short
time afterward."
1t was like 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, for he was to be gone four
months and he could not leave it un-
settled He had tried for week to
see her alone, and last night he told
her that he was going to say good
by today, 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 lad the way to the sit
ting room.
a O0J SY
better and I'm busy working for Aunt
Jane" He showed Phil collection
of broken china that he was gluing to-
gether
Phil stammered: "Isnt your sister
in?"
Helene? No, she went out, but said
that she would be back at half past
| five"
Half past FIVE" 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 as 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"
He ran upstairs and came back with
| the "old DISH" and Phil's heart gave
leap, for he was holding the Chinese
teapot.
did you say that your sister val
| ued it?" he said quietly.
We'll, don't say she valued it. Il
doesn't look worth much, but she
thought a lot of it. Perhaps some one
that's dead gave it to her"
The bright thought settled every
thing to him.
Its full of truck" he said as HI
proceeded to dump miscellaneous
collection of things on the table. Sucl
things as tumbled out! A dance order
a knot of ribbon, snap shot which
Phil recognized Immediately, a fadet
rosebud, tiny watch charm, etc.
Phil felt a little guilty as he glance,
at the pile. 1t seemed as though h
was intruding on sacred ground. Still
he had not been to blame; it was tn
brother who had unconsciously lai
bare her secrets. He resolved t
wait; if fortune depended upon hi
getting that train he would rattle
lose 1t than miss seeing her.
He persuaded Henry not to light u
and they sat in the twilight. Ever
nerve was strained for the sound Of
we'll known step. At last her cheer
voice sounded in the hall.
Sitting in the dark, brother?" Sh
turned on the light in the sitting roof
as she passed it. Then she caugh
sight of Phil.
why, Mr.. Harding" starte
!, forward with outstretched hand, bu
followed his glance to the table. Sh
gave cry of dismay. For once sh
was off her guard. She turned pal
and grasped the table to steady he,
: self, then her face flushed red: sh
was beginning to get angry.