Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1916-12-07
THE DEFIANCE or ABIGAIL
sy Lillian vANDEvERE.

phck ana forth, and daring res0iu-
ton seemed dawning in her eyes.
"Tll do itw said this domestic Joan
OF Arc suddenly. espousing her own
cause for the first time. "rye looked
long enough at that rusty bed and that
silly picture. I'm going to have a pref
ty room II 1t is In this little oven OF
a place, where you couldn't ask a
neighbor to sit down with bit Of
sewing"
And the room merited no more than
Abigail's terse description. an an
Client print Of three angelic figures
Faith, Hope, and Charity, WIS the only
picture; In front OF the one window
was a splInt-bottomed rocker, and be-
side IT nm oId-fashIoned chest Of
drawers with a clock on It. A bowl
and pitcher were crowded on a rick
ETY. stand. and in one corner was the
bed That was constant source Of
modification. The pillows stood erect
the crocheted spread was neat. but the
bed itself was very shabby.
II was only the tiny room on the
kitchen bnt as she looked II 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 d hot
breath came from the kitchen and she
rocked faster.
"Joers been lying up ON Mount
Peace for three years, and I've been
with Hiram end Ellen In the valley az
unrest" she thought YEARLY. This
monotony IL choking mer
Are you set on going 20 the Bap-
fist picnic at Buttonwood on Tues
dayT' Ellen asked her at supper. II
don't think there'il be room for you
In the wagon. Wen stay over night at
Horace FItch's and 90 shopping with
his folks on Wednesday. so you hadn't
better go. I've asked little HIlda Barr
to stay ell night with you"
ut would be hard trip" replied
Abigail, quietly. Maybe some Of the
neighbors viii run 10 to see me.p
Down In her heart she chuckled. 'Tm
glad they don't want me" she thought
as she washed the dishes. "They
won't be home till Wednesday evening.
! guess, Hilda and viii have plenty
to do. Three years I've been here.
and not q bit Of my company have
had Now I'm going to give little
sewing bee and spread all my own.
III use my own dishes and little of
my own money. so Ellen surely emit
grudge me the use Of tbs honseS sse
sssnt ~ tsrrs asssas - = ss-s.igtix
into the house She changed her
wrapper for q white gown with tiny
black spriga, took her best sunbonnet
from It's 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 bat triumphant, The
handle OF a little paint brush stuck out
Of one parcel. aud where another was
torn there was CLEAN Of gny calico
Under one arm was a can Of walnut
stain. A hurried skirmish Into her old
clothes and the battle began, De
llberately the commander locked her
self In her room.
When HiIda Barr ran into the
Turner kitchen on Wednesday mora.
ing. there were signs Of approaching
festivity, and Abigail, lifting tin o.
sponge cake from the ovens gave no
word OF welcome tin the burden was
on the table.
"weil. child. what did the folks
sayfr
They're all coming. and they
seemed real pleased. Now I'll pick this
berries for you"
In the glory Of the sunset, Ellen and
Hiram drove into the yard The chill
dren rode on to the barn, but Ellen
walked across the yard. There was a
murmur OF voices from the dIning-
room, but something unusual Ia the
aspect OF the little room drew her as-
tention. The bed and chest OF drawers
gliatened with new mantle Of brill
lance. The rickety stand showed a
walnut lnster A white geraniua sat
on the window sill, and the rocker had
cushion Of bright calico.
@That's Mis- Hllfs voice. said Fls
len IN daze, and she turned toward
the dinlng-room, sand there's Mabel
Bosworth's laugh. What does i
meanT'
General laughter followed some re-
mark. and, ail unobserved. Ellen sto5d
at the door, One glance told who
were the guests. Then her critical eye
scanned the table. noting the dainty
slices Of chicken. the biscuits On a
frlnged napkin. the delicate berries
and whlte-capped strips OF golden
cake. Then her eye went to the head
Of the table to the hostess place.
In some recess Of trunk Abigail
Ind found a gray gown Of Quaint
style. but there was a glirnpse II
creamy lace at throat and wrist as
she served the coffee, and the iush Of
exhllaration on her thin face spoKe
volumes to the one Observer
"Shc has cnred--she was lonesome n
was the thought that throbbed Ii El4
lens heart and warmed 1t for all time
sGood evening, ladies I'm real glad
to see 30 many OF mothers friends.
Her voice startled the guests, but
the cordinlIty in 1t made AbigaiIs
face glow with thankful surprise. oae
| look at Ellen convinced her. A. joy.
| ful freedom had begun, and Ellen
was saying with note Of pride ID
her voice: Ladies', my husband
mothers son, Hiram !"
downright. 1915. by the Mcclure NeWepa.
- per Syndicate,