The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-07
THE EVENING STORY
A Feud and Its Finish.
[By Clarissa Mackie.l

Amelia Vernet sat out on the sand
spit, waiting for the turn of the tide
sketching, and time had passed I'M
noticed, until the curling swish of wa
ter told her that the sand spit had
become a temporary island.
1t was midday now, and she could
not hope to reach the mainland before
o'clockAunless 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
sunlight, but none were within hailing
distance
Amelia picked up her pencil and re-
turned to her sketchbook. Aunt Tom
will be worried she thought, IF l
don't return to luncheon. and yet-she
will have the satisfaction OF knowing
that her predictions have been fulnlled;
at last the tide has caught me on the
sand sDit!''
A shadow fell across the open book.
Amelia lifted a startled face to meet
the astonished glance of tall young
man.
II beg your pardon" he stammer-
ed lifting his white canvas hat, Il
thought 1 had the island to. myself
II wish you had said Amelia, plain
lively; the turn of the tide is respon-
sible for my presence here"
Mine. too. 1 became interested IN
this COMPOUNDED book, and 1 was doing
comfortably when the water crept
around my ankles and woke me up.
He thumped viciously upon the onend-
ing volume and cast it from him. Il
suppose there is no escape until three
None" sighed Amelia; land moth
ing to eati"
"wait-we'n see about that" The
stranger disappeared behind the dune,
and Amelia saw him making haste
toward the narrow inlet.
How shocked Aunt Tom would be
if she could see me talking to per
feet stranger, butt am quite sure he
is a gentleman, and he must be stay
ing 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. Il hope
you will share my luncheon" he said,
courteously. "a thoughtful aunt pre-
starvation between an o'clock break
fast and 1890 luncheon" He
opened the good-sized basket which
he had brought and removed snowy,
fringed napkin.
You're awfully kind" murmured
Amelia hungrily "I hope I'm not
robbing you'll
mot in the least; we are castaways
and must make the best of the food
we have saved" he said gayly.
Inoro SnOulQ De a caSk Oh water
and some timed things"
Here is a flask of lemonade and
cup; chicken salad sandwiches, pound
cake and grapes. A very ladylike re-
past!"
The young man spread a napkin in
Amelia's lap and helped her gen.
erously. You were sketching?" he
ventured, glancing down at her draw
ing materials.
Eyes, little. the marsh and the
sloping 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 in
dictated. In one corner she had in
scribed 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 pound cake
had disappeared, Amelia sighed con-
tentedly. THAT was the most delicious
meal I ever ate" she said gratefully.
Aunt Tom is a famous cook he
replied carelessly, as he returned the
napkins to the basket.
Aunt Toni repeated Amelia.
She seemed to stiffen under his look
of mild surprise.
why not? A man may have an
Aunt Thomasina may he not?"
Amelia flushed at the mischievous
look in his gray eyes.
"Of course" she said with reserve,
only, you see, have an Aunt
Thomasina, too"
Not an Aunt Tom Forrest, I'll be
bound, said her companion.
'No-but an Aunt Tom vernet,"
announced Amelia haughtily.
"Oh, by Jove! great aunt ?"
yes"
"So's mine. Then I 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 stand
ing there in the brilliant October sun
shine. with the blue sky reflected in
her eyes. She also looked very cruel
and quite like lady in a tragedy
when she looked down at him.
II believe-I remember you," she
said coldly. 81 also remember the
family feud. No Vernet ever speaks
to a Forrest-willingly. But 1 have
partaken of your lunch, sir, and I
thank you for your courtesy You
will excuse me il 1 return to my
sketching."
Forrest Jumped to his feet. The
red blood mounted to his dark fore
head and the angry light in his eyes
seemed to leap like little pickering
flames.
1T is small matter. madam. A
Forrest is courteous to friend or enc
my. 1 will not intrude upon you long
err He picked up his lunch basket,
and, with low bow, disappeared as
suddenly as he had come.
Amelia sat down 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
But Amelia Vernet was virginian to
the core, and although she never real