The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1915-11-06
WHEN THE GATE CLOSED
y DONALD HOPPER.
Copyright. 1915. by the Mcclure Nswspa
per Syndicate.)

Copyright. lsis. By the Mcclure Nswspa-
per syndicate.)
Il was . lovers quarrel. Il was
even more serious than lovers quar-.
rel. for they were no longer engaged.
Nancy had given Robert His ring
and he had taken It She could
hardly forgive him for that!
Mrs. Arden at IN the living room.
reading the evening paper. The win
dows were open to the balmy night.
She knew Nancy and her lover were
walking In the garden.
Her daughter came in. She was
quite pale. but her blue eyes cleaned
strangely.
what was that sound heardi-
went on Mrs. Arden. "A creaking
sourddid you hear it!''
Nancy flushed,
1T was the gate" she said.
"The gatel~ Mrs.. Arden's voice
expressed her wonder.
Bob closed the gate" said Nancy.
"But-whyr
II told him to, mother"
i 1T has never been closed all these
years. I don't understand Il. don't
Hike t." The little lady was visibly
disturbed.
II told Robert to close the gate:
our engagement IL broken" ex-
planned Nancy.
Mrs. Arden was silent for some
time. Her eyes were thoughtful, and
she did not reproach her daughter.
az Nancy expected.
, Perhaps It is just a. well. my
dear. OF course you and Bob are al
most too young to be quite certain Of
your hearts. We were all very happy
over the thought Of the families being
united; still, 1t may be for the best.
after all"
I why. mother?" asked Nancy In o
queer tone. Best for me-or for
,Bob?"
y was thinking that now Bob
would be free to take that trip to
India with Professor Morrison. Colo
mel Leigh said It would be world of
benefit for Bob to go merely as the
professors private secretary"
They are to be gone year." said
Nancy, slowly.
Eighteen months. believe" said
Mrs. Arden. picking up her paper.
I've just been reading about 1.-THE
expedition sails day after tomorrow.
Bob will have to hurry"
Nancy stared into space.
Colonel Leigh looked across the
table at his placid wife.
What was that souhd, my dear?"
he inquired.
at sounded like a gate" she said.
1T could hardly be q gate," said
the colonel. There is only one gate
on fireplace. and that has never been
closed"
Just then Robert came in, tall and
grave.
''Your father thought he heard tho
gate closing" smiled Mrs. Leigh;
"but told him the idea was absurd
tho gate has never been closed"
1T is closed now" said Robert
grimly.
Two pairs Of eyes questioned him.
''Whyr asked his mother.
TITS all on between Nancy and me
1--WE are no longer engaged" Robert
picked up magazine and sat down
under tho lamplight
The colonel and HIS wife stared at
each other IN: Consideration. Then
Mrs. Leigh dropped her eyes to her
knitting and lons-forgotten dimple
appeared at the corner Of her mouth.
Her husband recognized that dimple
I'm younger days he had surrendered
to it, wiles. Now he watched It.
fascinated.
$50 the engagement 10 broken
murmured Roberts mother. Dear
me, am sorry. but perhaps its all
for the best. Nancy 10 . dear girl,
but perhaps she would get along bet
ter with Z man who could manage
her more than you do. Bobby dear.
But ! shall finish that luncheon set
I am embroidering for her. Il win
be ready az soon a. she does marry.
There's that young Kenyon from
Overbrook- II very devoted"
Mrs. Leigh rambled on, her dimple
always In evidence.
The colonel watched his wife, and
Robert stared at nothing.
ITS not too late to join Morrison's
expedition" reminded the colonel,
after . while. "Of course. we hate TO ]
let you go, son, but II you feel now
that you are free-why hello
where's the boy gomez"
He stared at Roberts empty chair.
For the FIRST and last time In her
conventional life Mrs. Leigh actually
winked at her husband.
Somewhere in the distance . bell
was striking ten.
The moonlight still flooded the
garden. and shone on the closed gate.
Nancy stepped hurriedly down the
path to the closed gate. She laid
her hands on the gate to push II open.
At the same instant . pair Of warm.
strong hands covered hers.
Nancy" exclaimed Robert. what
are you doing here. dear3"
II came to Omen tho gnto." she