Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1910-04-28


nervously as he remembered a GER
tain day when they had wandered into
a Chinese curio shop. An odd Chinese
teapot had pleased her and he bought
it and told her to keep it as a souye-
mir. She laughingly turned about and
bought him tiny vase in return. He
remembered how he treasured it. The
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; l broke it short
time afterward."
1t was like a 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 l2-year-old brother opened the
door.
Come right in, Mr.. Harding. I'm
awfully glad to see you.'' He closed
the door and led the way to the sit
ting room.
I'm all alone. cold is much
better and I'm ,rking for Aunt
Jane" He showed Phil collection
of broken china that he was gluipg to-
gether.
Phil stammered: isn't 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 wax
ued it?" he said quietly.
well, don't say she valued 1t. 1t
doesn't look worth much, but she
thought lot of it. Perhaps some one
that's dead gave it to her." a.
The bright thought settled every
thing to him.
tits full Of truck" he said as he
proceeded to dump miscellaneous
collection of things on the table. Such
things as tumbled out! A dance order,
| a knot of ribbon, a snap shot which
Phil recognized Immediately, faded
rosebud, tiny watch charm, etc.
Phil felt little guilty as he glanced
at the pile. 1t seemed as though he
was intruding on sacred ground. Still
he had not been to blame; it was the
brother who had unconsciously laid
bare her secrets. He resolved to
wait; if fortune depended upon his
getting that train he would rather
lose it than miss seeing her.
He persuaded Henry not to light up
and they sat in the twilight B~ery
nerve was strained for the sound OF q
well known step. At last her CHEEKY
voice sounded in the hall
Sitting in the dark, brother?" She
turned on the light in the sitting room
as she passed it. Then she caught
sight of Phil.
why, Mr.. Harding"-she started
forward with outstretched hand, bu,
followed his glance to the table. She
gave cry of dismay. For once she
was off her guard. She turned pale
snd grasped the table to steady her
self, then her face flushed red; she
was beginning to get angry.
Phil turned to Henry. Say, Henry
there's book in the library called
The Cruise of the FREELY Find 1t
and here's dollar for your trouble
After a search of 15 minutes Henry
returned to the sitting room. He had
heard the hall door close, and saw
Phil hurrying down the street
I'm sorry 1 couldn't find it TO,
him." he said.
"Are you pleased with the way
mended the dish?"
Every much, you dear bungler," she
said with happy laugh.
Funny girls think so much of old
truck" he thought as he watched her
carefully putting away her treasures