The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1912-03-02

| lnlng except Dusinebss uuu hs tniS ~
Of private nature must ask you to
invite me to your room"
Linton did not remove his overcoat
when they were closeted together. He
stood with hat In his hand
ut may surprise you to learn that
my business concerns Miss Presson
| and the legislative ball tomorrow even.
Ing" began Linton. but Harlan indig.
nantly broke In.
"You can have no possible busiDes-
with me. sir, IN which Miss Pressons
name may be mentioned. Don't you
use her name-not In any way. DO
you understand"
Miss Presson has accepted your cs-
cort to the ball tomorrow evening.
Don't you know. Thornton. why you
can't take Madeleine Presson into pub
lie, this whole state looking oni
hate to say any more than that. l
don't think It's necessary for me to say
any more than THAR His face was
hard, his tone accusing
II tell you, you have no right to men.
ton Miss Presson to me!' cried the
other t1dM
"I'm taking 1t on myself, and I'm
giving you chance by doing It," re.
torted Linton 1.-The story Is bad
enough now. But you'll be drummed
out of this state IL you insult an limo
cent girl IN the way you plan to do"
In his Indignation Thornton had been
slow to grasp the fact that his rival
was making hints that both affronred
and threatened. His conscience accus-
ed him of nothing. He felt the crackle
Of paper In his breast pocket. He
promptly suspected that Linton had
Cleaned hint of the proposed legisla-
ton which would involve Madelelne's
father.
He tried to control his anger.
"Will you kindly explain to me by
just what right you say this he
sneered-"except, possibly. that you're
jealous because Miss Presson chose me
as her escort?"
Il have right as friend of her
mother If nothing else! am keeping
this thing as still as l can for your
sake, for in this case protecting you
means protecting her. don't want to
say any more! But sudden illness
must prevent you from accompanying
Miss Presson into public at that ball.
Harlan beat palm upon his own
breast.
"I've had enough of this, Linton.
You tell me what you're driving at"
"Let me say this in my own de-
fense," pleaded Linton. "Spinney was
going right to Mr.. and Mrs. Presson
with the story. ] got 1t from him al
most by accident. We were talking
over our railroad bill this evening"
and he mentioned your stand. Then
he out with the story that he picked
up when he was In Fort Canibas.
do not listen to gossip. Mr.. Thornton,
but 1t Is plain that Spinney has facts.
l have inquired in prudent way Of
other men from your section. He has
the story, but what they say confirms
It."
Harlan listened his blank amaze
ment deriving him Of speech.
"Fve said enough now, haven't IL"
asked Linton significantly.
mo, you haven't" shouted the 9TH
er, coming out of his lethargy Of as
constituent. The recollection Of Spin
ney's sinister hints came to him.
"What do you mean?'
81 mean that man who will fool
and throw over girl In a way that
drives her away from home and
friends is no fit escort
He got no further. He knew thor
oughly maddened and dangerous man
when he saw one. He stepped back
when Harlan dashed at him, and
Thornton halted of his own accord.
After time he Gained himself enough
to speak.
'Ill not begin with you, Linton. I'll
begin with the man who started that
damnable lie. Oh, that-that"- He
failed his arms about his head, unable
to express himself. you've been lied
to, You don't know any better than
to say that. If you hadn't been jeal-
GUS you'd never have brought the sto-
ry to me. I'll make allowances he
raved on. "But the man who started
that story will swallow it with teeth
and blood mixedp'
Linton was impressed, but not rout-
ed. He waited till Harlan was quieter
II hope you'll get 1t Strengthened
out" he said coldly. "But with a sto-
ry like that extant Of course you'll see
the wisdom of the course I've sug-
gested. You cannot afford to drag
Miss Pressons name into your affair"
Into my affair! You dirty pup, do
you dare to intimate-are you lunntlc
enough to take stock in any such sto-
~ about me-"
The epithets sent the color into Lin
toms face. But he restrained himself.
"Your own grandfather had to take
you in hand about the matter before
you left Fort Canibas, Thornton. 1
heard him say that much myself. He
gave no details. l don't care for any.
1 merely came to you to bring hint
as to what you ought to do"
Look here. Linton, I've usually got
pretty good control of myself I'm try
ing to hold myself in now-trying ns
hard rs can. What you have told n.
is a LEA damnable lie. See? say Il
calmly" He was quivering. "You
don't know what you're talking about.