The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1916-09-28
THE DEFIANCE OF ABIGAIL
BY Lillian vANDEvERE.

the niue rocker as ADlBul SNhyeN
back and forth, and daring resolu-
ton seemed dawning in her eyes.
''I'll do It'll" said this domestic Joan
OF Are suddenly, espouslng her own
cause for the first time. "I've looked
long enough at that rusty bed and that
silly picture. I'm going TO have "A pret-
ty room If It Is in this little oven of
a place, where you couldn't ask a
neighbor to sit down with bit Of
sewing"
And tho room merlted no more than
Abignil'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 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
etv stand, and In one corner was the
bed That was n constant source Of
modification. The pillows stood erect
the crocheted spread was neat, but the
bed itself was very shabby.
It was only the tiny room or the
kitchen hut as she looked It van.
lshed 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 n 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 and Ellen In the valley of
unrest" she thought wearily. "This
monotony is choking me !"
Are you set on going to the Bap.
list picnic at Buttonwood on Tues
day?" Ellen asked her at supper. Il
don't think there'll be room for you
IN the wagon. Wen 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"
1T would be hard trip replied
Abigail, quietly "Maybe some Of the
neighbors win run in to see me-
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 / will have plenty
to do. Three years I've been here,
and not a bit of my company have /
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 s 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
handle of little paint brush stuck out
OF one parcel, and where another was
tori there was a CLEAN of gay calico.
Under one arm was a can of walnut
stain. A hurried skirmish into her old
clothes, and the battle began. De-
liberately the commander locked her
self in her room.
When Hilda Barr ran into the
Turner kitchen on Wednesday morn
ing, there were signs Of approaching
festIvlty, and Abigail, lifting a tin of
sponge cake from the oven, gave no
word of welcome till the burden was
on the table.
"Well, child, what did the folks
sax7"
They're all coming, and they
seemed real pleased. Now I'll pick the
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
murmur of voices from the dining
room, but something unusual in the
aspect Of the little room drew her at
tention. The bed and chest Of drawers
glistened with new mantle of bril-
lance. The rickety stand showed
walnut luster. A white geranium sat
on the window sill, and the rocker had
a cushion of bright calico.
That's Mis- Hill's voice" said FL
len ia daze. and she turned toward
the dlning-room. "and there's Mabel
Rosworth's laugh. What does it
mean2"
General laughter followed some re-
mark. and. all unobserved, Ellen stood
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
fringed napkin, the delicate berries
and white-capped strips of golden
cake. Then her eve went to the head
of the table to the hostess place.
In some recess of a trunk Abigail
hdd found a gray gown Of quaint
style. but there was a glimpse of
creamy lace at throat and wrist as
she served the coffee, and the flush of |
on her thin face spoke
volumes to the one observer.
"She has cared-she was lonesome !"
was the thought that throbbed In FL i
lens heart and warmed it Tor all time.
.Cood evening ladies' I'm rooi clad