St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1910-08-03

ner IreSn muslin skirts ana noIQ1ng
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 a 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 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,
Nov. Miss. Abigail, l don't believe
you recognize me!' exclaimed the man
heartily. II didn't see you in church
yesterday. although / am sure that ]
recognized your sister"
"Mr Weemers, isn't it?' 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 Abigail's cool parlor.
Where is Miss Sophia?' 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.
Twill you have some refreshments
asked Abigail presently. lit is very
n e,E,o <I@e,a h. Lea h.
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
RosedaIe on Sunday was delighted.
The first thing said was. Now I shall
sea the Horner teapot!"
Abigail's face softened. $50 he re-
membered our teapotT' she asked.
Eyes, indeed 1 have a mania for old
china, and Paul shares the mania. He
has spoken of the teapot as such
lovely example of willow pattern, and
told him positively must see it."
Abigail went to a walnut cabinet and
brought forth a large blue and white
teapot. 1t had been in the Horner fam
lily for many generations and was
treasured heirloom.
"How perfectly lovelyv 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 I strove one day, many years ago.
to ask you to sell me that famous tea
pot. had seen it and succumbed to it's
beauty. remember, just a day or so
before left Rosedale, I called to say
goodby and at the same time to ask If
you would sell it, but realized my
presumption and hardly hoped you
would do so. tried to breach the sub
ject, but somehow 1 couldn't seem to
make any Roadway. I 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 it up and went away. wrote
to you once and asked about it, but as
I never heard from you presume the
letter went astray."
Abigail and Sophia were looking at
one another over the blue teapot.
There was a 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 It 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.