The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1908-11-03
A FEUD AND
IT'S FINISH.
By cLARISSA MAcKIE.
Copyrighted, 1908. by Associated
Literary Press.


spit waiting for the turn of the tide
She had become absorbed in her sketch
ing, and time had passed unnoticed
until the curling swish Of water told
her that the sand spit had become g
temporary island.
1t was midday now, and she could
not hope to reach the mainland before
5 o'clock unless she waded. Amelia
looked down at her pretty tan shoes
and 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 a few sails flashed in the sun
light, but none was within hailing dis
lance.
Amelia picked up her pencil and re-
turned to her sketch book. Aunt Tom
Will be worried" she thought, "if
don't return to luncheon, and yet
she will have the satisfaction Of know
ing that her predictions have been full
| filled-at last the tide has caught me
on the sand spitT
A shadow fell across the open book.
Amelia lifted a startled face to meet
the astonished glance of tall young
man.
I'll beg your pardon" he STAN.
mered, lifting his white canvas hat.
II thought had the island to myself. "
II wish you had" said Amelia plain
| lively; "the turn of the tide is re-
sponsible for my presence here"
mime too. became interested in
this COMPOUNDED book, and l was doz-
| ing comfortably when the water crept
around my ankles and woke me up"
He thumped viciously upon the offend
ing volume and cast it from him. IT
suppose there is no escape until 8 or
4 o'clock"
"None," sighed Amelia, land nothing
to eat!"
"Wait; wen 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
II she could see me talking to a per-
feet stranger, butt am quite sure he
Is a 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 1t for me against possible star
I1A ~to nIrfo Ot
and a 1890 luncheon" He opened the
good sized basket which he had
brought and removed a snowy fringed
napkin.
you're awfully kind" murmured
Amelia hungrily. II hope I'm not rob
bling you"
mot in the least. We are casta-
ways and must make the best of the
food we have saved" he said gayly.
There should be a cask Of water
and some timed things"
Here are flask of lemonade and
cup, chicken salad sandwiches, pound
cake and grapes-a very ladylike re-
pastv'
The young man spread a napkin In
Amelia's lap and helped her generous
ly. "You were sketchingT he ven
tured, glancing down at her drawing
materials.
"Yes, little-the marsh and the
sloping hill beyond, with Its masses Of
cedar and pine. Would you like to see
itT 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 deli
cious meal l ever ate," she said CRATE
fully.
"Aunt Tom is a famous cook" he re
piled carelessly as he returned the nap
kins to the basket.
Aunt Tomv' repeated Amelia. She
seemed to stiffen under his look of
mild surprise.
"Why not? A man may have an
Aunt Thomasina, may he notT Ame-
liza flushed at the miSchievous look In
his gray eyes.
"Of course" she said, with reserve.
"Only, you see, have an Aunt Thorn
asina too"
mot an Aunt Tom Forrest, I'll be
bound" said her companion.
mo, but an Aunt Tom Vernet," an
nounced Amelia haughtily.
"Oh, by Jovel A great-aunt?"
Eyes"
SOS mine. Then l went to school
with you! You remember Donald For
rest?" he asked eagerly.
Amelia arose to her feet and shook
the sand from her white skirt. She
looked very young and lovely standing
there In the brilliant October sunshine
with the blue sky reflected In her eyes.
She also looked very cruel and quite
like a lady In tragedy when she
looked down at him.
81 believe l remember you" she said
coldly. 81 also remember the family
feud. No Vernet ever speaks to a
Forrest willingly But 1 have par
taken Of your lunch, sir. and thank
you for your courtesy. You will ex-
cuse me If l return to my sketching."
Forrest jumped to his feet. The red
blood mounted to his dark forehead,
ana the angry light In his eyes seemed
to leap like little Pickering flames.
ut Is a small matter, madam. A
Forrest Is courteous to friend or en-
envy. l will not intrude upon you
longer" He picked up his lunch bas-
ket and, with low bow, disappeared
as suddenly as he had come.
Amelia sat dow again, feeling very
small and mean. 1t was quite evident
that the heir OF the house of Forrest
would have ignored the feud If she,
| the last save one of the Vernets, had
chosen to overlook the antipathy that
had lasted for sixty long years.
| DuJ AMcld NchACS vas ' Al = AH4oiA "
the core, and, although she never really
knew the cause Of the estrangement
between the two families, she had 10y
ally nursed the tradition.
And here was young man. last of
the FORESTS, as Amelia was last Of
the vernets, and they must carry on
the feud. Amelia sighed involuntarily,
for she had liked the young man who
had been away SO long and who must
have recently returned.
There came a loud roar of thunder
and a sudden darkening of the sun.
Amelia looked timorously around at
the threatening clouds.
There was a vivid fash of lightning.
Amelia turned and fed toward the in