Smyrna times., 1916-11-29
The DEFIANCE OF ABIGAIL
BY Lillian VANDEVERE.


There was a determined squeak to
the little rocker as Abigail swayed
back and forth, and daring resOlu-
ton seemed dawning in her eyes.
an do it ~ said this domestic Joan
of Arc suddenly, espOusing her own
cause for the first time. "Tve looked
long enough at that rusty bed and that
silly picture. I'm going to have pref
ty room if it is in this little oven of |
a place, where you couldn't ask a |
neighbOr to sit down with a bit Of |
sewing"
And the room merited no more than
Abigail's terSe description. An an |
cient print of three angelic figures
Faith, Hope, and Charity, was the only
picture; in front of the one window
was a splint-bOttOmed rocker, and be-
side it an Old-fashiOned chest of
drawers with a clock on it. A bowl
and pitcher were crowded on rick
ETY. stand, and in one corner was the
bed. That was a constant source of
modification. The pillows stood erect,
the crOcheted spread was neat, but the
bed itself was very shabby.
1t was only the tiny room off the
kitchen but as she looked it van
ished and the bed stood in the cool
upper chamber of the house where she
and Joel had started life together. A
smile trembled on her lips, then hot
breath came from the kitchen and she
rocked faster.
"JOeTs been lying up on Mount
Peace for three years, and I've been
with Hiram and Ellen in the valley of
unrest" she thought wearily. "This
monOtOny is choking mel"
"Are you set on going to the Bap-
tist picnic at ButtOnwOOd on Tues
day?" Ellen asked her at supper. 81
don't think there1l be room for you
in the wagon. Well stay over night at
Horace Fitch's and go shopping with
his folks on Wednesday, so you hadn't
better go. I've asked little Hilda Barr
to stay all night with you"
"It would be a hard trip" replied
Abigail, quietly. Maybe some of the
neighbOrs will run in to see me-"
Down in her heart she chuckled. I'm
glad they don't want me-" she thought
as she washed the dishes. "They
won't be home till Wednesday evening,
I guess. Hilda and I will have plenty
to do. Three years I've been here,
and not a bit of my company have l
had. Now I'm going to give a little
sewing bee and spread all my own.
I'll use my own dishes and a little of
my own money, so Ellen surely can't
grudge me the use of the house."
The picnic day was ideally cool and
clear as the Turner's drove down the
grassy lane. Abigail turned swiftly
into the house. She changed her
wrapper for a white gown with tiny
, black sprigs, took her best sunbOnnet
from its hook, and hurried down the
road in the opposite direction to that
pursued by the picnic party.
] An hour later she stepped on the
back porch, tired but triumphant. The
l handle of little paint brush stuck ou
of one parcel, and where another wai
torn there was a CLEAN of gay calico
Under one arm was a can of walnu
g stain. A hurried skirmish into her OLE
D clothes, and the battle began. De
2 liberately the commander locked her
f self in her room.
o When Hilda Barr ran into tn
s Turner kitchen on Wednesday morn
!. ing, there were signs of approaching
l. festivity, and Abigail, lifting a tin 0
> sponge cake from the oven, gave n
word of welcome till the burden wa
q on the table.
n "Well, child, what did the folk
! say?"
d They're all coming. and the
IS seemed real pleased. Now I'll pick tn
Ir berries for you"
:. -
"a In the glory of the sunset, Ellen an
% Hiram drove into the yard. The chi
n dren rode on to the barn, but Ellie
4. walked across the yard. There was
"a murmur of voices from the dining
n room, but something unusual in th
N aspect of the little room drew her q
tention. The bed and chest of drawer
glistened with new mantle of bri
lance. The rickety stand showed
T walnut luster. A white geranium Sc
! on the window sill, and the rocker ha
! a cushion of bright calico.
! "That's Mis- Hill's voice." said E
! len in daze, and she turned towar
( the dining-room, "and there's Nab
( Bosworth's laugh. What does
( mean?"
( General laughter followed some r
! mark. and. all unobserved. Ellen stoc
I at the door. One glance told wi
were the guests. Then her critical ey
! scanned the table, noting the daint
! slices of chicken, the biscuits on
! fringed napkin, the delicate berri
and white-capped strips of goldt
cake. Then her eye went to the he's
: of the table to the hostess place.
In some recess of a trunk Abiga
Z had found gray gown of quail