The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-06-20

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 fiuttered 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 a man in clerical garments accom-
panied by woman. She paused for
moment with hand on the knob; then
she opened the door.
"Now, Miss Abigail, don't believe
you recognize me-" exclaimed the man
heartily. Il didn't see you in church
yesterday, although l am sure that
recognized your sister"
"Mr. Weemers, isn't itT' asked Abb
gail coldly. Wont you come in?"
"Yes, and this is my wife; my dear,
this is Miss HOrner, 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 Abigai1s cool parlor.
where is Miss SophiaT" inquired
Mr.. Weemers with evident interest.
IL will call her." said Abigail reluc.
family.
She stepped across the hail and open.
ed Sophias 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 visilaly agitated. She
stammered greetings to the minister
and his wife, which Abigail tried to
cover by commonplace remarks, but
there was an atmosphere of constraini
over the four people.
"Win you have some refreshment!
asked Abigail presently. ut is a very
warm day." she observed. She left the
room and presently returned will
foaming glasses Of root beer and {
plate of freshly cut sponge cake. Sh'
ate nothing herself, but looked intent!
from her sister to Mr. Weemers ant
then at the minister's wife.
| The latter set down her glass. "D'
you know. Miss Horner that when m.
husband told me he was coming t.
Rosedale on Sunday was delighted
| lHe uTSJ / Sdlu was, A>oW oho'
see the Horner teapot!"
| Abigairs face softened. $50 he re
membered our teapot?" she asked.
"Yes, indeed have a mania for oil
china, and Paul shares the mania. Fl
has spoken Of the teapot as such
lovely example Of willow pattern, an
told him positively must see II"
Abigail went to 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. Sue
denly he Strengthened back in his chat
and laughed heartily
"You do not know. Miss Abigail hoy
hard strove one day, many years agt
to ask you to sell me that famous tet
pot. had seen it and succumbed
its beauty. remember. just day c
so before | left Rosedale, l called
say goodby and ut the same time
| aoh IL Nou Nouiu Stii II, pht
my presumption and hardly hoped yo
would do so. tried to broach the sui
ject, but somehow ] couldn't seem
make any headway. l recOllect ths
you were called from the room, and
tried to approach your sister on tt
subject, but she seemed to want
talk of everything except the teapot, S
gave 1t up and went away. wrot
to you once and asked about 1t. but {
never heard from you l presume II
letter went astray."
, Abigail and Sophia were looking {
each other over the blue teapot Thel
was a startled expression in Sophia
eyes. while Abigail looked pityingly ,
her sister
Abigail found her voice first. m
r sister and l would like to give you IL
| teapot. Mrs. Weemers," she said, wit
, decision in her tones. There is no OF
I to care for it after we are gone, an
! you and your husband seem to prize
D SO highly we would like you to have it
p "But-we cannot-it is too much"
: stammered Mrs. Weemers.