The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-06-16

lined against the windowpane. She
was bent over the pages Of a religious
journal. and it was evident she did
not intend to 60 to church that morn-
in. Sophia went on alone, swingin :
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
q 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 ball and,
peering through the side window light,
in. ole, n re
panied by woman. She paused for a
moment with hand on the knob; then
she opened the door
Now, Miss Abigail, | don't believe
you recognize me-" exclaimed the man
heartily. 81 didn't see you in church
yesterday although | am sure that |
recognized your sister"
"Mr Weemers, isn't it?" asked Abb
gail coldly. Won't you come in?"
Yes, and this is my wife; my dear,
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'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. ut is 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.
you know, Miss Horner, that when my
husband told me he was coming to
Rosedale on Sunday was delighted.
The first thing said was, Now I shall
see the Horner teapot"
Abigail's face softened. $50 he re-
membered our teapot" she asked.
"Yes, indeed. I have mania for old
china, and Paul shares the mania. He
has spoken of the teapot as such a
lovely example Of willow pattern, and
told him positively must see it.
Abigail went to walnut cabinet and
brought forth a 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 l strove one day. many years ago,
to ask you to sell me that famous tea
Pot' huu SCCll IL W
Its beauty. | remember. just day or
so before l left Rosedale, l called to
say goodby and Mt the same time to
ask If you would sell it. but | realized
my presumption and hardly hoped you
would do so. tried to breach the sub
ject, but somehow l couldn't seem to
make any Roadway. l 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
l gave 1t up and went away. l wrote
to you once and asked about 1t, but as
l never heard from you presume the
letter went astray.''
Abigail and Sophia were looking at
each other over the blue teapot. There
was startled expression in Sophia's
eyes, while Abigail looked pityinglv at
her sister.
Abigail found her voice first my
sister and l would like to give you the
teapot, Mrs. Weemers," she said, with
decision in her tones. "There Is no ono