The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1920-06-23
AN IMPLAcABLE,
WARDEN
80

~ EDGAR WHITE

crime 81 Martha Trueman's un-
attached loneliness was laid without
reservation at the door Of her tall and
soidIer-like aunt, who was splnster.
ana who. L was said, had ordained that
the fair-halred orphan should travel
~ her own austere footsteps. Il was
: matter OF common knowledge that
quite 2 number Of eligible young men
OF Prairie Valley had visited the True
man mansion. In the suburbs, and then
had, from unknown causes, lost inter-
est.
No one ever limited that the. object Of
their visit was at fault--not at all. She
was admittedly the prettiest girl in
town. and the most popular. The amaz-
ing thing Qbout II was that she didn't
drop away and lose her bu0yancy un-
der the rigid blockade her grim aunt
seemed to have established against all
mankind.
At church, at social gatherings, and
on the streets her blue eyes sparkled
with good nature and seemed to invite
confidence.
One night when the subject OF Aunt
Naomi's reprehensIhle conduct was be-
ing quietly discussed by several young
men In the Prairie Valley club room.
Robert Compton, q newcomer. who
was assistant superintendent of the
local electrical machine works. cas-
nally remarked that ne had been in
PRODUCED to Miss Martha that day. and
had been very courteously invited to
call.
Better not Co." said Lloyd McPher-
son. with an impressive look at the
other members of the party; ut only
means trouble for you"
"How s0f" inquired Compton.
Mcpherson shrugged his shoulders,
md laughed bitterly.
YDu've had fair warming" he said,
land all the boys here will bear me
out"
They promptly echoed the doleful
statement.
Compton was sitting with his feet
on the edge Of the window. He med
itatively knocked the ashes of his
cigar, and said:
swell, my heads set on being inlti-
ated. Then can be one Of you. I'm
going out"
Compton was city man. having
been reared in Chicago and there
learned his calling. The trip was made
the next evening.
Martha received him graci0usly and
showed him into the parlor, where
Aunt Naomi was sedately awaiting
/, him.
Compton decided she couldn't be as
black as some had painted her. Mar
tina sat dutifully beside her, and let
her aunt do most Of the talking.
The visitor was enjoying quite a
pleasant evening and was beginning
10 wonder where the baleful influence
came In. While he was conversing in
terestingly with the master Of cere-
monies. the fair-haired girl quietly
arose and began stirring the fire In the
CRATE. Az she did 10 a tiny cloud Of
smoke was waited toward her and she
Soughed slightly. but hastily covered
her mouth with her apron. Aunt Ma
Omi requested her to get the check
ers and board before she sat down
again.
"You play checkers, presume. Mr..
Comptonf" inquired Aunt Naomi.
u can. though DON'T" said the
Soung man, boldly"
you won't play checkers with met"
demanded Aunt Naomi. In astonish.
lent.
Lets talk: that's nicer" said Comp
pm. overwhelmingly.
4 Il was nearly eleven when Compton
arose to leave, and as he did 40 he
remarked alphabetically to Aunt Ma
Oml:
''You mustn't think hard Of me be-
cause didn't play checkers. It's a
great game and some other time you
and will have bout"
''Oh. that's all right" she said; ~
enjoyed your talk better, anyway.
They accompanied him to the door
and MartAM's bright eyes warmly Sec
onded Aan~~9nvS Invitation to repeat
49, Wilt.
well, Miss Martha met him with
smiles at the door," remarked McPher-
son dreamily. when Compton Joined
them In the coxy corner Of the club
room. next evening.
"Aad she ushered him into the Ut.
tie parlor. where Aunt Naomi received
him like q captain Of the old guard"
added Harry Guthrie. reminiscently.
you've guessed right" returned
Compton. smiling.