The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1923-07-12
The Tarnblyn
. Plate
BY CLARISSA MACKIE

Pa>~S Va ""ou ohouiu
cause so much unhappiness -
Rod Tamblyn nodded. Our ances-
tors seemed to enjoy IN endless feud
over its possessiOn-why, Jean, do you
realize that your Aunt Robina has not
spoken a word to my mother for thirty
years?"
Poor dears," murmured Jean that
began long before we were born. In
those days they just wrangled over the
possession of the plate. | don't believe
any of them really cared very much
for ii, hut one word led to another"
land. each word bitterer than the
last. | wonder how it started?" Rod
lightly touched a tendril of Jeans
soft black hair.
81 knOw-Aunt RObina told me one
day your grandmother and mine were
the dearest friends and when they
were to be married, they decided to
have a double wedding. Grandmother
and her family %journeyed to the
Tamblyn place in Maryland, and the
festivities began. Wedding gifts
poured in for both brides, and among
them was the WedgwoOd plate. The
wrapping paper and box had been
destroyed and there was no evidence
of a card, 20 that it could not be de-
termined to whom 1t belonged, nor who
was the giver." a-..
r"Why didn't they toss a coin?" de-
manded Rod.
.'"They quarreled politely after the
homogeneous were over, and so many
unkind things were said that Mrs.
Tamblyn determined to keep the plate
In the stern belief that it was intended
for her-and my dear granny felt so
resentful that at last they drew lots
for it, and-y0ur grandmother got the
piate. Their beautiful friendship was
broken and the feud was on" she
sighed.
And has continued for nearly fifty
years. 1t has risen like a wall between
us and happiness. / van to marry
o u,sJean, plate or no plate, that is, If
you dare trust your precious self TO
the scion of a foolish family such as
mineFf
jean giggIed. "My own family is and
has been perfectly idiotic about it,
dear. Why, Aunt Robina, who reared
. me from a child, said you were quite
impossible Fancy"
HUM" scowlcd Rod, and mother
called you that Lanning GIRL"
what can we do?"
Put a stop to It."
,"ffDwp p,
Bust up the platei"
"Oohi And have Aunt Robina put
up her glasses and say coldly, so he
has broken our platter No, don't do
that, Roddy."
''You suggest something's
Jean wrinkled her pretty brows and
concentrated. Rod found ii very fas.
cinating to watch her and he Redeemed
as she suddenly shot a look at him
from mirthful eyes.
DO you know my cousin, Mrs
Adah Willard?"
"'Yes-she belongs to a branch OF
the family that mother visits" he
grinned.
she loves rne. She would do any,
thing for me-" whispered Jean dream.
lily?
so would l." murmured Rod in her
ear.
DO you dare?" she challenged, whis
pering a few words In his ear. For an
swer he took her in his arms.
Mrs. Henry Tamblyn and Miss
Robina Lanning had often met at Mrs
Wizards home. Their greetings Were
a matter of comm nt the country
around-frigid bow on the part, of Mrs
Tamblyn-a faint, Icy smile and
slight inclination from Miss Robina
The young people were not supposed
to know one another.
One winter afternoon they were
both taking tea with Mrs. Willard; the
rsctor had dropped In and they were
talking about a game of bridge, wher
Jean Lanning came running In. rosy
with cold. her dark eyes deeper ant
darker with a hidden fear There was
no hat on her head. but a warm furry
cloak covered her dress.
Mrs. Willard Rugged her younf
kinswoman. and kissed her tenderly
Miss Robina said, "Why child!" In
mild reproof. and when Jean dropped
graceful courtesy to Mrs. Tamblyr
and the rector, the former nodded no
unkindly. and the rector beamed ant
twinkled.
take OFF your coat. JEAN sale
Mrs. Willard. and the rector received
the garment and put II In the hall
Jean was standing. all In white,
dainty. sweet young thing at whicf
they all looked with yearning eyes
The rector wandered over to the win
dow and picked up a prayerbook from
the table.
Suddenly Rodney Tamblyn appeared
from somewhere. laid d fiat parcel II
his mothers lap. whispered a word Il
her and Joined Jean In front of tn.
clergyman. Just hen the minister
asked: '.Who giveth this woman-
the older women were too astonishet
to notice. but Adah Willard stepped
forward and laid Jeans hand In Rod,
Arm, brown re.
When 1t was all over. Miss Robins
gasped brokenly, "JeaD how coult