The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1910-08-16

you and your lovely old house, Miss
Horner." said the lady pleasantly.
They went into Abigail's cool parlor.
where is Miss Sophia? inquired
Mr.. Weemers with evident interest
Il 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 refreshment r.
asked Abigail presently ut Is a 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 Horner. that when my
husband told me he was coming to
Rosedale on Sunday ! was delighted
The first thing said was. Now shall
sea the Horner teapotF
Abigaips face softened. $50 he re-
membered our teapotT' she asked.
Yes. indeed. / have a mania for old
china, and Paul shares the mania He
has spoken of the teapot as such a
lovely example of willow pattern. and
told him positively must see it."
Abigail went to a walnut cabinet and
brought forth large blue and white
teapot 1t had been in the Horner fam
lily for many generations and was a
treasured heirloom.
How perfectly lovelyr exclaimed
Mrs Weemers. while her husband
hung over It in silent admiration. Sud
denly he Strengthened back in his chair
and laughed heartily.
''You do not know, Miss Abigail, how
hard l strove one day, many years ago.
to ask you to sell me that famous tea
pot had seen 1t and succumbed to its
beauty. remember. just day or SO
before left Rosedale. called to say
goodby and at the same time to ask If
you would sell 1t. but realized my
presumption and hardly hoped you
would do so. tried to breach the sub
Ject but somehow l 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
I gave 1t up and went away. / wrote
to you once and asked about it, 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 in So
phia'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. There is no one
to care for 1t after we are gone. and
you and your husband seem to prize 1t
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 it. We want you to
have 1t. Abigail and | have so many
old fashioned things"
Abigail left the room to wrap the tea
pot in paper and to escape the ELUSIVE
thanks of the delighted Weemers.
Sophia followed her sister. trembling
with some unexplained emotion.
Removing the lid. Abigail thrust her
hand into the teapot and drew forth a
yellowed envelope. She held it toward
Sophia.
"It's yours" she said shortly
mo; it's yours" returned Sophia.
"If it's mine said Abigail In grim
tones, 'Ill burn 1t up and she thrust It
into the stove.
''Shall we have tea together In the
big dining room tonight. Abigailf"
asked Sophia timiily.
"Of course we WILL" said Abigail.