The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-02-22

thing wrong in the atmosphere at her
Washington tea. She had found a
quaint old dress of some great-great-
great grandmother's up in an old
cowhide-covered trunk in the garnet.
With a broad, fine lawn fichu edged
with delicate lace, and frilled cap to
match, she told herself she really
might have been a second cousin at
least of the Mother of Her Country.
And not only that. but Polly, too, was
CARRIED in sprigged silk, primrose
yellow, with tiny spray of lilac, and
demure lace cap on her brown curls.
All about the parlor and sitting
room were Eusebia's colonial treas
ures, her moss-rose teaset and the
silver glaze teapot. There were the
Capitol steps silk quilt made by Great
grandaunt Lucinda Allen, and the old
flintlock musket that had gone
through the Pequot Indian wars. with
a Revolutionary powder horn next it,
and homespun wooden blanket that
old Captain Ethan Gibbons had wra p
per around his weary limbs at Valley
Forge. There was a slender silver
cup the great general himself was said
to have drank from and the very spIint
bottom chair he had sat in the night
of his sojourn at the Gibbons home
Polly had draped an old worn fla
over the picture of Washington be-
hind the tea table where Eusebia sat,
flushed and happy, and the rooms
really looked festive. But there was
something wrong. Polly knew it right
away, when Mrs. Deacon Ricketts,
gave her a hand that was like a dead
founder. Then, when she passed tea,
several of the ladies said very primly,
Much obliged, Miss Hall, I'm sure
And once she heard a remark that
Eusebia was altogether too soft
hearted.
Expect to go home before Easter,
do you, Miss Hall?" inquired old Miss
Chatterton. who was deaf as a post.
The question seemed to reverberate
through the loW-cailed rooms, and
Poly was pink to her ear tips But
Eusebia heard it and answered for
her placidly:
We'll, faint at all likely. Well need
her here to sing in church, and it
would hardly pay to go way up to
Vermont and back again"
Mrs. Ricketts, coughed slightly,
stirred her tea and fired the next shot.
THE deacon was saying there was
some talk on the school board of get
ting man teacher to look after
those big boys I should think they'd
be real burden to you. Miss Hall"
Il like Them" said Polly earnestly.
'EThey all help me with the smaller
ones. and are good as can be
'I don't believe that supervisor will
get elected this year again." spoke up
Miss Chatt9rtOn, with startling clear
ness and there came a dead silence. 1t
really was the psychological; moment
in Eusebia's tea. Even the famous
mistress of the first administration
herself would have needed all her tact
and diplomacy in handling the issue
of the moment Polly flashed an i'm
ploring glance at her, and Eusebia
poured another cup Of tea with steady
fingers.
DO try another one. Miss Rick
etts.' she said. It'll quiet your
nerves. Well, 1 don't wonder they
talk of removing him. Silly old thing,
gallivanting around std of attending
to his duties. Polly, isn't that Gabe
at the door,
Polly stepped out into the front
hall, and Eusebia smiled confiden-
TALLY at her company and sprang her
final shot of victory.
you know they're engaged to be
married as soon as the school term
ends. I'm real thankful, too Gabe's
got re- Copyright. 1916, by
Mcclure Newspa per Syndicate.l