The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-02-26
PlottersofLove


renee.
my dear Miss Prentice"
e. and TO hate me with all the ran
cor grown from the bitter fraterna
feud."
81 see you understand the situation,
half smiled Alvin Kerr. but as Il
avoiding you" and the bright youne
man caused verda Prentice TO blush
under his manifestly ardent gaze, "or
as to hating so beautiful a being" but
she had put her hands to her ears and
his eulogles were wasted.
"And as we have met entirely by
chance" resumed Kerr, "nnd as could
not very cheerfully see you. oarless
and drifting to the dam. o my fair
enemy. let US improve the opportunity
to see II our views as TO the peculiar
situation coincide"
"Yery good" nodded the sprightly
young girl, you tell the story"
ut is soon related" answered Kerr.
"Over beyond the river is the old Rid
ley farm. The father died, leaving
two sons, James and Robert. In his
will he divided the farm. The wording
was faulty, and while II gave an equal
number of acres and home to each of
these persistent bachelors, a 100-foot
strip running behind both farms, and
originally appertaining by deed TO the
land James inherited, came into dis
pute. BY right of original deed James
claimed IL, because for years one-half
Of it was accepted as going with land
Robert inherited, the latter claimed
that running behind his three hundred
and twenty acres. They fought over
It, stormed over II, litigated it. The
court divided the strip equally"
''Then they became deadly enemies"
Precisely, James Ridley vowed he
would never again speak TO his brother.
Robert Ridley declared he would yet
possess the entire strip"
MY Mr.. Ridley built new house."
observed verda.
sand mine followed suit, only big
ger and better one" replied Alvin.
"Mr. Robert Ridley. who was a great
friend OF my dead father, adopted me"
"And Mr.. James Ridley practically
did the same with me. His purpose, as
L now view II, was to use me as his
heir, so that by no possibility could
his brother ever inherit that unfor-
tunate strip OF land"
Alvin had come home from college
the first time in q year. He had seen
Verda at distance but only an hour
previous had come upon her In a skiff
In the river with both oars floating
away. He had rescued her, and now
the harmonious twain. fully aware Of
the wrath Of their respective guardians |
were this scquaintanceship discov
cred, discussed the situation.
"There will never be peace between |
those two men until that troublesome
strip Of land is cut of the way" as
serted Alvin.
IF we could only devise some way
to make them friends again!" muir
INJURED yerda.
Let us try IT," suggested Alvin
eagerly. II will think out a remedy,
and am sure that you, with your gen.
tie, peace-loving nature, will coop
crate. Let us once week. say this
day and hour, meet here and exchange
opinions"
But anywhere else must view you
with dlsdain p warbled Verda
"And | must frown darkly upon
you |" chuckled Alvin.
"They made little progress, for the
brothers were set In their prejudices.
About all for time that came of the
meetings at the river shore
vas a glowing love romance. so sweet
o the satisfied participants that they
,losed their eyes to discovery.
Two incidents occurred, however
which favored the plans and hopes of
be lovers. Robert Ridley was cut by
scythe one day and would have bled
o death had not Alvin been near to
uccor him. James Ridley, little
alter. was overcome by the heat In the
ield and it was v2rda who aided him
)ne day Alvin met verda, his face
glow with satisfaction.
81 have seen my friend, the survey
ng engineer" he announced. ITS ali
ettled."
about the strip of land?"
Eyes. verda"-he called her this
ow. They put their heads together
wo amiable plotters. The next day
Twin approached James Ridley.
I've got some news for you" he an
ounced "That hir hona of copt.p |
on, the one hundred-foot strip, passes
ut of the situation"
"what do you meant" demanded
ames Ridley quickly.
They've surveyed II for the new
abroad"
well, they can't have H."
You can't prevent them" advised
Twin. IF you don't take a fair price, h
ley will start condemnation proceed
igs. Just think, though. the road will =,
crease the value Of your land so per :,
mt"
1t came about that James and Rob II
I Ridley had 10 meet TO adjust the
lie. II came about that verda urged
ebert. and Alvin Influenced James. NJ
Id induced them TO bury the Ratchet. :
"You schemlng rascali" declaimed
,mes Ridley. when he learned that
Twin bad Influenced the utilization Of
. land in contention through his sur
'yor friend. You've been traitorous-
plotting wiib that pretty girl all the
ne. eh7 Well. Robert and | have
reed IN the marriage We're roinc