Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-08-05
DAILY SHORT STORIES

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
hurryfng to church that morning with
a pink spot In either faded chcck, but
her heart beat quickly. and she was
conscious OF a pleasant excitement M
the idea OF seeing Paul Wesuscrs
again. That was all. She fiutteccd 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 womun who SAT IN
the minister's pew. She was plump.
pretty woman with dark hair wnving
back from fresh. youthful complex
ion. Then Paul Wecmers came In. and
Sophia gaspcd with surprise lie was
rather stout and much older. and his
hair and beard werc quite gray "a
The next morning while the sisters
were attending to their separate house.
hold duties the ,sdocrbell toned dis.
mally~,, Abigail went into the front
hall and. pecring through the side win
dow light, saw man In clerical par-
ments accompanied by woman. She
paused for a moment with hand on
the knob. then she opened the door. !
"Now, Miss Abigail, don't believe
you recognize mer' exclaimed the mum
heartily. IL didn't see you In church
yesterday. although j am sure that L
recognized your sister" ,.s
"Mr. Weemers, isn't it?' asked Abb.
gail coldly. Wont you come Ing
"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 Abigairs cool parior
where Is Miss Sophia p" inquired
Mr.. Weemers with evident interest.
II 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 ns 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 coistraint
over the four people. a'e sa 17oN
"WiIl you have some refreshmcnt? 20
asked Abigail presently. at Is a very
warm day." she observed She left the
room and presently returned with
foaming glnsses Of root beer and a
plate OF freshly cut sponge cake She
ate nothing herself. but looked intenfiy
from her sister 10 Mr. Weemers and
then nj the minister's wife.
The latter get down her glass "Do
you know. MISS TI6fner. that when my
husband told ME lie was coming to
Iiosedale on Sunday was delighted.
The first thing l said was. Now shall
sea the Horner teapot
Abigail's face softened. $50 he re-
nembered our TEAPOT she asked.
Yes. indeed. ] have n 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 n walnut cabinet and
brought forth n large blue aud white
tenpof. II had been I'm the Horncr fam
lily for many generations and was a
treasured heirloom.
How perfectly lovely exclaimed
Mrs. Wecmers while her husband
hung over 1t In silent admiration Sud
denly he Strengthened back I'm his chair
and laughed heartily.
You do not know. Miss Abigail, how
hard strove one day, many years ago,
TO ask you TO sell me that famous tea
pot. had seen Ii and succumbed to its
beauty. I remember. just day or so
before left Rosedalc. | called to say
goodby and at the same time to ask IL
you would sell 1t. but realized my
presumption and hardly hoped you
would do so. / tried TO breach the cub
.ject, but somehow / couldn't seem to
make any headway. / recollect that
you were called from the room. and +
tried to approach your sister on the
SupJtNls bui Sht hteUlcu 10 NslDL 10
talk of everything except the teapot. so
II gave 1t up and went away. ! wrote
TO YOU once and asked abont II. but as
4 never heard from you presume the
letter went as,ray."
Abigail and Sophia were lool.ing at
ore another over the blue teapot.
There WAS startled expression in So
Iphia's eyes. while Abigail looked pity
ingly at her sister.
J. Abigail found her voice FIRST. MY
sister and would Ike TO give YOU the
teapot. Mrs Wcemerg." she said. With
decision In her tones There Is 10 one
to care for IL after we are gone, and
you and your husband seem 10 prize II
30 highly we would like you TO have
H."
"But-wc cannot-it is too much