Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-10-13

NuBuSig WHeTe MTS. MeemeTS WOul
sit and concluded that she was tn
fashionably attired woman who sat il
the minister's pew She was a plump
pretty woman with dark hair waving
back from fresh. youthful complex
ion. Then Paul Weemers came in, anC
Sophia gasped with surprise. He wa
rather stout and much older, and hi
hair and beard were quite gray.
The next morning while the sister.
were attending to their separate house
hold duties the doorbell toned dis
mally. Abigail went into the from
hall and. peering through the side win
dow light. saw man in clerical gar
ments accompanied by woman. She
paused for moment with a hand on
the knob. then she opened the door.
Now. Miss Abigail, don't believe
you recognize mer' exclaimed the man
heartily. Il didn't see, you in church
! yesterday, although | am sure that l
recognized your sister.
"Mr. Weemers. isn't it?" asked Abb
gail coldly. Won't you come in?
Yes. and this is my wife; my dear.
this is Miss Horner. one Of my old
friends and parishioners"
Il have heard my husband speak of
you and your lovely cid house. Miss
Horner." said the lady pleasantly.
They went into AbigaiIs cool parlor.
Where is Miss Sophia? inquired
Mr.. Weemers with evident interest.
81 will call her," said Abigail reluc-
tantly.
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 refreshments"
asked Abigail presently. 1T is a very
warm day." she observed. She left the
room and presently returned with
foaming glasses Of root beer and a
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 l was delighted.
The first thing said was, Now shall
sea the Horner teapotv"
Abigail's face softened. $50 he re-
membered our teapot?'' 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
Ily for many generations and was a
heirloom. 49,.
How perfectly lovelyw exclaimed
Mrs. Weemers. while her husband
hung over 1t in silent admiration. Sud-
ienly he Strengthened back in his chair
ind laughed heartily.
You do not know, Miss Abigail. how
lard l strove one day, many years ago.
o ask you to sell me that famous tea
,ot. had seen it and succumbed to its
beauty. / remember. just day or so
'efore left Rosedale. called to say
,oodby and at the same time to ask If
'ou would sell 1t. but l realized my
resumption and hardly hoped you
you'd do so. tried to broach the sub
ect, but somehow l couldn't seem to
make any headway. 1 recollect that
ou were called from the room, and
ried to approach your sister on the
ubJect. but she seemed to want to {
llk Of everything except the teapot, SO
gave 1t up and went away. / wrote {
you once and asked about 1t, but as /
never heard from you presume the I
tier went astray." r
Abigail and Sophia were looking at a
le another over the blue teapot. D
here was startled expression in So t
HAS eyes, while Abigail looked pity v
gly at her sister. f
Abigail found her voice first. "My b
ster and l would like to give you the I,
apot, Mrs. Weemers," she said. with n
cisiOn in her tones. "There is no one a
care for it after we are gone, and
u and your husband seem to prize it K
highly we would like you to have
'But-we- cannot--it is too much c.
lmmered Mrs. Weemers. hr
oh. yesr' cried Sophia eagerly. al
ou must take it. We want you to
ve it. Abigail and | have so many h'
fashioned things" W
Ibigall left the room to wrap the tea dc
in paper and to escape the effusive th
INKS Of the delighted Weemers. ell
)hia followed her sister. trembling W
b some unexplained emotion. ca
removing the lid. Abigail thrust her OF
Id into the teapot and drew forth a
lowed envelope. She held it toward en-
,hia. sa
It's yours" she said shortly.
No; it's yours" returned Sophia.
II it's mine said Abigail in grim
es. "Ill burn it up and she thrust It he
} the stove. piT
TtmF l.