Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1908-11-07
A FEUD AND
ITS FINISH.
Copyrighted, 1903, by Associated
Literary Press.
By CLARISSA MACKIE.

~
spit waiting for the turn of the tide.
She had become absorbed In her sketch
Ing. and time had passed unnotlced
until the curling swish Of water told
her that the sand spit had become
temporary island.
1t was midday now, and she could
not hope TO reach the mainland before
8 o'clock-unless she waded. Amelia
looked down at her pretty tan shoes
end then turned and peered over the
sand dunes toward the town.
A narrow channel of choppy water
cut off escape for the present. Out in
the bay q few sails flashed in the sun
light, but none was within hailing dis
tance.
Amelia picked up her pencil and re-
turned to her sketch book. AUNT Tom
will be worried" she thought, "lf l
don't return to luncheon, and yet
she VIII have the satisfaction of know
ing that her predictions have been full
hlled-at last the tide has caught me
on the sand spit"
A shadow fell across the open book.
Amelia lifted a startled face to meet
the astonlshed glance Of q tall young
man.
81 beg your pardon" he STAN
mered. lifting his white canvas hat
Il thought | had the island to myself
at wish you had" said Amelia plain
lively: "the turn of the tide is re-
sponslble for my presence here"
''Mine too. I became Interested in
this confounded book, and | was doz-
ing comfortably when the water crcpt
around my ankles and woke me up
Hc thumped yiciously upon the offend
ing volume and cast J. 'fom him. y
suppose there is no escape until 3 or
4 o'clock"
."None." sighed Amelia, "and nothing
to eat.'
"Wait; we'll see about that" The
stranger disappeared behind the dune,
and Melia saw him making haste to-
ward the narrow inlet
"How shocked Aunt Tom would be
IL she could see me talking to a per-
feet stranger, butt am quite sure he
IS gentleman. and he must be staying
at one Of the plantations near by. His
face Is familiar. and yet
He came around the dune and sat
down on the sand beside her. II hope
YOU will share my luncheon" he said
courteously. "a thoughtful aunt pre-
pared it for me against possible star
vation between an s o'clock breakfast
and a 1890 luncheon" He opened the
good sized basket which he had
b a,sh. and removed a,snowy fringed
napkin.
you're awfuIly kind" murmured
Amelia hungrlly. 81 hope I'm not rob-
bing you"
Not I'm the least We are casta-
WAYS and must make the best Of the
food we have saved" he said gayly.
"There should be Il cask Of water
and some timed things"
Here are flask Of lemonade and a
cup, chicken salad sandwiches, pound
cake and grapes-a very ladylike re-
pastw
The young man spread napkin In
Amelia's lap and helped her generous
ly. you were sketching?' he ven
tured. glancing down at her drawing
materials.
"Yes, llttle-the marsh and the
sloplng hill beyond, with its masses OF
cedar and pine. Would you like to see
it?" asked Amelia frankly.
"Yes," he replied. taking the book
and opening at the page she Indicated
In one corner she had inscribed her
signature in bold black characters
"Amelia Vernet." He glanced at the
name, and his eyes shot a peculiar
look at the girl
Amelia was looking at his strong
brown fingers clasping the sketch book
Very capable, fine muscled digits they
were too.
Your sketch is good" he said SIN
cerely, putting the book aside.
When the last crumb Of poundcake
had disappeared Amelia sighed con
tentedly. THAT was the most dell
cious meal ever ate" she said CRATE
fully.
"Aunt Tom is q famous cook" he re
piled carelessly as he returned the nap
kins TO the basket
Aunt Tomr repeated Amelia. Sh'
seemed to stiffen under his look O.
mild surprise.
"Why not? A man may have al
Aunt Thomasina, may he not" Anne
liza flushed at the mischievous look II
his gray eyes.
"Of course" she said, with reserve
"Only, you see, have an Aunt Thom
asina too"
"Not an Aunt Tom Forrest I'll b
bound" said her companion.
NO, but an Aunt Tom Yernet," an
nounced Amelia haughtlly.
"Oh, by Jove! A great-aunt"
eyes"
"So's mine. Then went to schoo
with youl You remember Donald Fol
rest?" he asked eagerly.
Amelia arose to her feet and shoe
the sand from her white skirt. Sh
looked very young and lovely standin
there In the brilliant October sunshin
with the blue sky reflected in her eyes
She also looked very cruel and quit
like a lady in a tragedy when sh
looked down at him.
'T believe l remember you she sal
coldly. II also remember the famll
feud. No Vernet ever speaks to
willingly. But l have pa
taken Of your lunch, sir, and l than
you for your courtesy. You will e!
euse me If I return to my sketchlng."
Forrest jumped to his feet. The re
blood mounted to his dark forehead
and the ang~ light in his eyes SCENE
to leap like little flickering flames.