The Mahoning dispatch. [volume] (Canfield, Mahoning County, Ohio) 1877-1968, 1910-03-04
THE CHINESE
TEAPOT


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
a Chinese curio shop. An odd Chinese
teapot had pleased her and he bought
it and told her to keep it as souve-
mir. She laughingly turned about and
bought him tiny vase in return. He
remembered how he treasured il. 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:
81 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 1t short
time afterward."
1t was like a dash of cold water,
and now as he strode 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 a week to
see her alone, and last night he told
her that he was going to say good
by to-day, and so 1t 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 led the way to the sit
ting room.
better and I'm busy working for Aunt
Jane" He showed Phil collection
OF broken china that he was gluing to-
gether
Phil stammered: Isn't your sister
ln?"
Helene? No, she went out, but said
that she would be back at half past
Ave"
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 II he missed the
train, and settle It at once.
Henry chatted away as he worked
! and finally surveyed his finished task
e with pride.
n Helene has an old dish upstairs
that she thinks a lot Of. It's broken
and she'll be delighted to have II
n fixed"
He ran upstairs and came back with
the "old DISH" and Phil's heart gave
|. a leap, for he was holding the Chinese
e teapot.
a Did you say that your sister val
ued it?" he said quietly.
We'll, | don't say she valued It, II
= doesn't look worth much but she
d thought lot of it. Perhaps some one
e that's dead gave II to her"
e The bright thought settled every
thing to MIN,
It's full of truck" he said as h,
e proceeded to dump a miscellaneous
e collection of things on the table, Sucl
Is things as tumbled out A dance order
a. knot of ribbon, a snap shot which
e Phil recognized Immediately, a fadet
rosebud, tiny watch charm, ETC.
Phil felt little guilty as he glanced
a at the pile. It seemed as though h
le was intruding on sacred ground. Still
he had not been to blame; it was th'
I brother who had unconsciously lai'
bare her secrets. He resolved Il
wait; If a fortune depended upon hi
getting that train he would rathe
a lose ii than miss seeing her.
a He persuaded Henry not to light n
q and they sat in, the twilight. Ever,
: nerve was strained for the sound of
well known step. At last her cheer
10 voice sounded in the hall.
ie Sitting in the dark, brother?' Sh
turned on the light in the sitting roor
as she passed 1t. Then she caugh
ft sight of Phil.
to why, Mr.. Harding"-she starte
I'd forward with outstretched hand, bu
followed his glance to the table. Sh
gave a cry of dismay. For once sh
was OF her guard, She turned pal
nd and grasped the table to steady hel
ID self, then her face flushed red; sh
re was beginning to get angry.
re Phil turned to Henry Say Henr,
On there's a book in the library calle
The Cruise of the Firefiy, Find i
ad md here's dollar for your trouble.
es After a search of is minutes Henr
al returned to the sitting room. He ha
d. heard the hall door close, and sa'
en- Phil hurrying down the street.
I'm sorry l couldn't find It fo
at him." ne said.
y Are you pleased with the way
al mended the dish?"
at Very much. you dear bungler." sh
81 said with a happy laugh. 4