The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-06-29


IN. Sophia went on alone, swinging
ner fresh musliA skirts and holding
her mead rather high, quite unaware
tnat 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
pink spot in either faded cheek but
ner heart beat quickly, and she wa,
conscious Of 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 fashionablv
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
pDla gasped with surprise He was
rather stout and much older, and his
hair and beard We're 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,
peerlnS through the side window light.
saw man i'll clerical garments accom-
panied by woman. She paused for a
moment with hand on the knob; then
she opened the door
Nov, Miss Abigail don't believe
you recognize me-" exclaimed the man
heartily. Il didn't see you in church
yesterday. although | am sure that
recognized your sister"
"Mr Weemers. isn't it, asked Abi-
| gail coldly. Won't you come in?"
'Yes. and this is my wife; my dear
this is Miss IIorner one of my old
friends and parishioners"
Il 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.
family.
She stepped across the hall and open.
ed Sophia 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 refreshmentr z
asked Abigail presently. ut is a very
warm day" she observed. She left th'
room and presently returned will
foaming glasses of root beer and /
plate of freshly cut sponge cake. Sh'
ate nothing herself, but looked intentl,
from her sister to Mr. Weemers ant
then at the minister's wife,
The latter set down her glass. I'D
you know, Miss Horner, that when m
husband told me he was coming t
Rosedale on Sunday was delighted
The first thing said was, Now shal
see the Horner teapot
Abigails face softened. so he rt
, membered our teapot" she asked.
:, "Yes, indeed have mania for oil
, china, and Paul shares the mania. II
has spoken of the teapot as such
lovely example Of willow pattern, an
I told him | positively must see It.
:, Abigail went to a walnut cabinet an
!, brought forth large blue and whit
!, teapot 1t had been In the Horne
family for many generations and wa
= a treasured heirloom.
:, 'How perfectly lovely" exclaime
Mrs. Weemers. while her husban
hung over it in silent admiration. SUI
:. denly he Strengthened back In his cha
and laughed heartily.
!, "You do not know, Miss Abigail, no
hard | strove one day. many years ag
to ask Won to sell m0 that famous te
:, not. had seen it and succumDed
!. its beauty. | remember, just day
! so before | left Rosedale, ] called
:. say goodby and ut the same time
!. ask If you would sell it. but | realize
= my presumption and hardly hoped yt
would do So tried to broach the su
iect. but somehow | couldn't seem
:, make any headway. ! recollect thi
= YOU were called from the room. ana
: tried to approach your sister on q
suhiect but she seemed to want
!, talk of everything except the teapot
- I gave it up and went away. wro
= to YOU once and asked about 1t, but
= I never heard from you | presume Il
: letter went astray."
Abigail and Sophia were looking
= :, each other over the blue teapot. The
!" was a startled expression in Sophia
= ewes. while Abigail looked pityingiy
= her sister
: Abigail found her voice first. NJ
;. sister and would like to give you Il
= teapot, Mrs. Weemers," she said, WI
. decision In her tones. There Is no Oh
a TO care for it after we are gone, al
: YOU and your husband seem to prize
so highly we would like you to have II