The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-10-20
Your sketch is good" he said sim

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 re-
piled 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?"
"Of course" she said with reserve.
only, you see, have an aunt Thomas
ina, tool"
mot an aunt Tom Forrest, I'll be
bound" said her companion.
'No-but an aunt Tom Vernet," an
nounced Amelia haughtily.
oh. by Jove! A great aunt?'
Eyes"
SOS mine, Then 1 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 a tragedy when
she looked down at him.
Il believe remember you" she
said coldly. 81 also remember the fam
| lily feud No Vernet ever speaks to a
Forrest-willingly But have par
partaken of your lunch, sir, and
thank you for your courtesy. You will
excuse me if l return to my sketch
Ing"
Forrest jumped to his feet. The red
blood mounted to his dark forehead
and 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
enemy. / will not intrude upon you
longer" He picked up his lunch bas-
ket, and with a 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 60 long years.
But Amelia Vernet was Virginian to
the core and although she never really
knew the cause of the estrangement
between the two familis 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 was a loud roar or thunder
and a sudden darkening of the sun
Amelia looked through around at the
threatening clouds.
| There was a vivid flash of lightning
Amelia turned and fed toward the in
let. A boat was putting off from the
mainland and Forrest was watching it.
He turned at the sound of Amelia's fly
ing steps.
Il have signaled a boatman, Miss
Vernet," he said, politely; The viii put
you ashore wherever yen wish. If you
do not.~object Will accompany you.
= do not relish the drenching that is
coming"
"Of course do not object" she said
with embarrassment.
The drenching came before they
reached the mainland. Amelia covered
in the bottom of the boat, while For
rest removed his coat, and, in spite
of her protests, threw il over her, to
shut out the dreaded lightning as well
as the heavy rain.
At the landing an ancient servitor
was seeking Miss Vernet, and he hur-
ried his young mistress into the phae-
ton before she could properly thank
Donald Forrest.
"Fo' de lam, Miss 'Melia, yO' Aunt
Tommy is high bout 'stracted," num-
bled Uncle Aaron peevishly, as he
! gathered up the reins.
A week later Amelia stood in the
brown October garden among some
late peoples. She looked pensively over
the stone wall to where the bay
sparkled and dimpled in the sunlight.
There was a quick step beside her,
and she looked up into Donald For
rests smiling face.
My aunt Thomasina is called upon
your aunt ThOmasina," he said, remOV-
| ing his hat. They sent me into the
garden to find you and tell you the
| feud is off"
Il don't understand" she STAN
mered.
Il looked up the cause of the feud,
and find that our great-grandfathers
! Quarreled because Ctch wanted to
name his new daughter Thomasina. 1t
was a distinctive name, and each
craved its possession. l have argued
with my aunt night and day-result,
the two Thomasinas are drinking tea
| together We cannot be so prejudiced
as to-" he held out his hand.
I'm so glad" said Amelia honestly