Bridgeton pioneer., 1917-05-24

was Deut w GI Lut pdScS VI u
journal, and it was evident she did
not intend to go to church that morn
in. Sophia went on alone. swinging
her fresh muslin skirts and holding
her head rather high. quite unaware
that Abigail was watching her with
accusing eyes of mingled pity and re-
sentiment.
Sophia did not know why she was
hurrying to church that morning with
a pink spot in either faded cheek, but
her heart beat quickly, and she was
conscious of a pleasant excitement at
the idea of seeing Paul Weemers again.
That was ALL She fluttered the leaves
of her Bible as she waited for the serv-
ice to begin. She wondered vaguely
where Mrs. Weemers would sit and
concluded that she was the fashionably
attired woman who sat in the minis
ter's pew. She was a plump, pretty
woman, with dark hair waving back
from a fresh, youthful complexion.
Then Paul Weemers came in, and So
phia gasped with surprise. He was
rather stout and much older, and his
hair and beard were quite gray.
The next morning while the sisters
were attending to their separate house
hold duties the doorbell toned dismally.
Abigail went into the front hall and,
peering through the side window light,
saw man in clerical garments accom-
panied by a woman. She paused for
moment with hand on the knob; then
she opened the door.
"Now, Miss Abigail, 1 don't believe
you recognize me-" exclaimed the mar
heartily. Il didn't see you in church
yesterday, although 1 am sure that
recognized your sister,"
"Mr Weemers, isn't it?' asked Abb
gail coldly. Won't you come in?"
Eyes, and this is my wife; my dear.
this is Miss Horner, one of my old
friends and parishioners."
81 have heard my husband speak of
you and your lovely old house, Miss
Horner," said the lady pleasantly.
They went into Abigail's cool parlor.
"Where is Miss Sophia?" inquired
Mr.. Weemers with evident interest.
II will call her. said Abigail reluc-
tantly.
She stepped across the hall and open
ed Sophia's door. That was the signal
when there was company for both.
Don't you care, Sophia" she whis-
pered with fierce intensity as her sister
followed her into the room.
Sophia was visibly agitated. She
stammered greetings to the minister
and his wife, which Abigail tried to
cover by commonplace remarks, but
there was an atmosphere of constraint
over the four people
"Will you have some refreshment?"
asked Abigail presently. 1T is a very
warm day." she observed. She left the
room and presently returned with
foaming glasses of root beer and a
plate of freshly cut sponge cake. She
ate nothing herself, but looked intently
from her sister to Mr.. Weemers and
then at the minister's wife.
The latter set down her glass. "Do
you know, Miss Horner, that when my
husband told me he was coming to
Rosedale on Sunday I was delighted.
The first thing 1 said was, Now shall
see the Horner teapotv"
Abigails face softened. $50 he re-
membered our teapot?" she asked.
"Yes, indeed. have mania for old
china, and Paul shares the mania. He
has spoken of the teapot as such q
lovely example of willow pattern, and
l told him 1 positively must see It,"
Abigail went to a walnut cabinet and
brought forth large blue and white
teapot. 1t had been in the Horner
family for many generations and was
treasured heirloom.
How perfectly lovely! exclaimed
Mrs. Weemers, while her husband
hung over it in silent admiration. Sud
denly he Strengthened back in his chair
and laughed heartily.
You do not know, Miss Abigail. how
hard strove one day, many years ago
to ask you to sell me that famous tea
pot. l had seen it and succumbed to
its beauty. l remember, just a day OF
SO before 1 left Rosedale, 1 called to
say goodby and at the same time to
ooh IL yOu GOulu Scil DuL TedlZ6U
my presumption and hardly hoped you
would do so. / tried to broach the sub.
ject, but somehow 1 couldn't seem to
make any headway. 1 recollect that
you were called from the room, and /
tried to approach your sister on the
subject, but she seemed to want to
talk Of everything except the teapot, so
1 gave it up and went away. I wrote
to you once and asked about it, but as
I never heard from you 1 presume the
letter went astray."
Abigail and Sophia were looking at
each other over the blue teapot. There
was a startled expression in Sophia's
eyes, while Abigail looked pityingly at
her sister.
Abigail found her voice first. "My
sister and 1 would like to give you the
teapot, Mrs. Weemers," she said, with
decision in her tones. There Is no one
to care for it after we are gone, and
you and your husband seem to prize it