The Press., 1910-02-23

LET Va BURY THE RATCHET" spite of her protest. he went. He re- turned with a small tray, which he had supplied with several dainties.
 "Here are favors,'' he said, lifting two tiny silver hatchets from the tray, Commemorative of the immortal Washington" ' ~l-. :-,.... .....
 "Dear. dear George!" gushed vir- g1nia enthusiastically. ''What would we do without his memory to celebrate each year? l owe many delightful dance to George Washington" she added, with assumed flippancy. -'
 ''The woman of it!' murmured the man ironically. '.<.
 : Virginia did not reply. She was looking at his we'll shaped head bent forward on his hand and thinking that she liked the way his. straight, dark hair was cropped. ... ....
 ''My name is George" he murmured irrelevantly, gazing intently at q beautiful oIeander. which he was lik- ening to the color of Virginia 's.ips.
 "Well''- Virginia hiushed rosily. What was it she. had said? Dear, dear George!!'' Ugh! This man was detestable. ~''
 f.Most people like my name" puE. sued the man pleasantly.
 +I don'ty' exclaimed Virginia hastily.
 +I know, you; don't!" he retorted "Do you believe in feudsY' ..
 "Why. yes. of course dol" returned Virginia. surprised into vehemence "Don't you?''
 "Why. no," he said. with slow en- phasis which she found was one of his pleasant characteristics. She liked to hear him talk. |. She liked the low, modulated tones of his voice and his familiar southern accent. "Why, no," he repeated. ''I can't say that do. They're harbaric, don't you know"
 q don't know" retorted Virginia hotly. ....-. .......--. ...-.
 ''How many Roswells are there left?" he drawled irrelevantly,
 ''One," replied Virginia Iamely.
 "And that one ts''- He paused.
 '@That is myseIf!" returned Virginia proudly, lifting her chin with sudden movement that shook a~ sparkling mist of diamond dust about them.
 The man gazed intently at the small black patch placed provokingly near the dimpled white chin. And how many Towards are there .leftp he asked presently. ,s.e. ta E@
 "Ona"
 "Ah! So you. Virginia Roswell. are still waging the feud with the last of the HoWardS"
 Virginia caught her breath. She could not make this man understand.
 "And does this man Howard show sa disposition to forget the-er-feudT inquired the stranger, looking at her intently.
 Virginia blushed again. She tried to be indignant and felt a strange help lessness. She found herself stammer- ing meekly in reply, q believe he does"
 "And you will have none of it. You will carry 1t out to the bitter end until you both are, old. and after you are gone there will be no more to carry on the old fight. and there will peace, but only after many years and much suffering and''-
 Don't, please" Virginia put one hand to her throat and rose to her feet. ''Please do not say any more. Will you take nae back to Mrs. Yer net?'
 He rose slowly. "In moment, Miss Roswell. First would. like to ask a favor of you."
 .'What is it?'' she, asked nervously.
 He stepped to the huge. tub which contained the oleander tree. He held out one hand. in it's palm lay the two silver hatchets.
 ''Let us bury the hatchet,Y he said slowly, removing his mask and reveal Ing himself. ~ ~
 Without word she drew near to him and stood beside him while he dug a small hole ill the soft earth. Tenderly he placed the little hatchets therein, and Virginia put in sprig of jasmine. Then he covered them and extended his hand. Virginia placed hers in it.