Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-10-29


more than once and had limited that II
Auelia ever desired to sell 1t she would
IKE to have an opportunity to become
its owner.
III VIII hurt me more than anything
else to give this up" said Adelia to
herself as she wiped OF the shining
treasure, but guess that pride Of
mine VIII have to pay Cor 1t. I shall
give II to Annie Mason right now In
exchange for those things, and shan't
accept anything more than the value
OF that food. I've often seen grand
mother pour tea from 1t, but Aunt Re-
becca never used II that / remember.
It's odd how she asked for 1t the day
before she died and went to sleep with
1t In her hands. Poor Aunt Rebecca!
She was so eccentric. But she meant
well. Pm sure"
Wrapping the britannia teapot in her
little red shawl. Adelia went through
the orchard to the little gate in the
fence that opened into Mrs. Mason's
vegetable garden.
Annie Mason was on her knees pull
Ing beets. Her rosy face grew roster
when she saw Adelia standing there.
pale and I'll looking.
What is 1t. AdeliaT she asked
quickly. 'Ts anything the matterT'
She sat back on her heels and shook
the earth from monster beet root.
Adelia's voice trembled with emo
ton.
tive got to see you alone, Annie"
she said hurriedly. Its very impor-
tant-"
Mrs. Mason arose with difficulty, for
she WAS very stout. and with a trou-
bled expression on her comedy face she
led the way to the house and into the
sitting room.
There amt soul to home this
morning. They've all gone of. Adelia.
What on earth's the matter?" She
dropped into d chair and waved Adelia
into another.
Adelia unwrapped the shawl and set
the britannia teapot on the table be-
fore she spoke.
Annie Mason. I've got a confession
to make" she said In low, shamed
tone, "fve been short of money ever
| since the railroad went to smash and
they stopped dividends. was too
proud to borrow money on the house
or to get In debt. and I've been hun
gry-just plain hungry. So yesterday
when | got home found a big basket
OF groceries on the back porch and
and--I was so hungry kept themw
She paused tragically.
"wellI" gasped Mrs. Mason.
well. they're yours, Annie Mason.
I'm sure they are. All had ordered
was loaf OF bread and 10 cents
worth OF tea. and I've kept your pro-
visions. and to pay you back for them
and to punish myself for being so wick
edly proud I've brought over the bril-
tannia teapot, It's for you!" Adelia
sank back in her chair. and her lips
were very white.
Mrs. Mason said not word then.
but she flew around and brought a pill
! low for Adella's head and little glass
OF blackberry wine. When the color
came into Adelia's cheeks Annie Mason
leaned over her frail neighbor and
spoke lmpressively.
"Now. don't you dare say word.
Adella. till I'm through. / want you
TO know that haven't forgotten how
you helped me when the children had
the measles last winter and all the
kind and neighborly things you've done
since we've been here. And somehow
| knew that you was having some tenn
porary trouble. and yesterday morning
when | was giving my grocery order |
said TO the new man, My neighbor.
Miss York, forgot TO tell you all she
wanted this morning. and you can
just add these things TO her order
And then | made ny list. and those
you found on the porch were your
own. Adella York. won't hear a
word against II. What's the use of
having neighbors II they can't help
each other out? 'Seighbor' means to be
near to- and the time to be near to IA
when we're in trouble, Don't you dare
cry. Adelia York;
Mrs. Mason was crying herself as
she spoke. and after she and Adelia
had mingled their tears and had grown
a little calmer the older woman sug-
gested that they drink cup OF tea
made In the britannia teapot
Adelia dried her eyes and smiled.
and Annie Mason went to the kitchen
sink TO wash out the teapot
The spouts all stopped up AIDE
La" she called Just bring me that
knitting needle off the table. will your"
81 declare, it's stuffed with paper"
she exclaimed as she pried with the nee
Gle what the land" She drew forth
the needle and with 1t a wet and
crumpled roll of paper.
Adelia opened it carefully Aunt
Rebecca must have put something In
It." she said in a dazed tone as she
aattened out the engraved certificates
Of stock
"T1l bet It's those missing securi-