Smyrna times., 1895-11-06
A FAMILY FEUH.

Deen dlVlnS IOSetnef Tor one long
summer afternoon. When they reached
the farmhouse at twilight, the young
man whispered:
''Shall L speak to your mother,
Elsie?'
''YOu may when you come tonight" "
answered the girl, with a blush.
Grant did not come that evening,
however. Elsie had a letter from him
instead. Business called him to the
city and would detain him there a
week. 'But, he wrote, ''you can tell
your mother of our interview, to-day,
and its result. -
This Elsie would not do. ''NO, in
deed" she said, with toss of her
curls, as she folded the letter and put
it away.
Mrs. Gordon stood at her work table,
the next day, when Elsie came hurried
ly into the room.
Mother, Mrs. Benefits COW is in
our corn, and 1 can't get her out, she
cried.
Mrs. Gordon said nothing, but
turned with an air Of determination
and left the house. Half an hour later
she returned Elsie's heart sank as
she saw her face. Seldom did Mrs
GOrdOn's temper master her, but oh,
when it did! Presently she spoke.
'Elsie, We'll have no more to do with
the Bennetts!"
"But, mother
''Not wOrd!" interrupted the angry
woman. Don't let me see you speak
ing to either of them again!'
"MOther''-
81 made up my mind that if Mrs.
Bennett couldn't keep her COWS from
destroying my corn we'd break friend
ship, and I've done it. Now [ want to
hear no more of the matter
Elsie was in despair. If she had told
her mother about her engagement i'm
mediately, instead of waiting for
Grants presence, would matters have
been different? She wondered. Would
it alter them now if she were to tell?
No, she knew her mother better than
to suppose it. But what would Grant
think of her apparent coldness when
he came back? Mrs. Bennett would
explain matters, but might it not be
better for her to do so also? SO she
went upstairs and wrote her first and
perhaps last letter to her lover.
''It is hard, Grant, " she ended. ''but
we must submit. cannot disobey nv
mother. am all she has in the world.
Until she consents to our meeting
shall not see you again.
Weeks passed on; long, weary weeks
they were to the young people, and
scarcely less so for the mothers. Often
did Mrs. Gordon regret the hasty act
that had separated her from the friend
OF lifetime, and often did Mrs. Ben
wish that she had reminded Grant of
that broken fence between the pasture
and Mrs. Gordon's cornfeld.
Elsie and Grant met frequently in
town, but they were careful to keep
the width of the street between them.
so that neither should transgress the
law laid down by Mrs. Gordon. The
young man was hurt and angry that
Elsie should surrender him so easily.
and took no trouble to disguise his
feelings, thus adding to her weight of
sorrow.
1t was one sunshiny morning that
the girl awoke with an unusual sense
OF depression. She would have giyen
a great deal to avoid that trip to town
but she could not consent to let her
mother go alone.
As they entered store they met
Mrs. Bennett and Grant; but no glance
OF recognition passed between them.
Elsie looked timidly at her lover, but
ne avoided meeting the wistful ewes.
ELSIE, go to the Post Office for let
ters while I wait here, will YOU? I'm
TOO tired to move," and Mrs. Gordon
sat down with weary sigh.
The girl Obeyed. She was miserable
and pre-occupied, and looked neither
to the right nor left, needless of what
was passing around her. She was half
way across the main street before she
became aware of warning shout
There was a sudden shock: she felt
herself caught up and borne away bv a
PAIR OF strong arms, and then knew
nothing.
When she recovered consciousness
she was lying ON the floor of the Post
Office, her mother and Grant bending
over her.
Whats the matter?"
She tried to rise, but Grant haid her
back.
Don't get up yet" he said. s'You
were knocked down by a runaway
horse.
And Grant saved your life," Mrs
Gordon added. eve owe him a debt
we can never repay"
Grant looked at Elsie. Ali the anger
had died out of his heart
Il think you can," he said, smiling.
DO you agree with me, Elsie?"
The color flooded her white face as
she slipped her hand in his.
"Oh, motherl Grant, tell herr"
Grant obeyed. And now there is the
greatest friendliness between the two
families, and the feud is entirely for
gotten.