The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1920-09-17
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BY CECILLE LANGDON

"Now what does that ever mean !!
Miss Anice Gordon, spinster, CAV
q sniff of indignation and peere'
sharply at 4 piece of board supported
by chains covering an open gateway
The sign read: "No Trespassing al
lowed"
Her younger sister, Mile, paled.
Cant you answerT demanded
Anice irritably.
81 can only see that the path across
to the main road has been closed t.
the public" spoke Mule in a subdueo
tone.
1.-THE public!" snapped Anice
"Fudgel We are the only public who
ever cross this way. Heretofore. as
it saved us going around half . mile,
we used it. We had been invited-wel-
come, in fact, to do SO. Now 1t Is
closed as a forbidden path. Why!
take it as a deliberate insult on the
part Of Mr.. Morton Chester"
"Oh, don't say that, sister" quav-
cred Millie pleadingly. 'eThere is some
mistake-Some reason"
"Well, / shall never recognize Mr..
Chester until l know what 1t is,
snapped Anics testify, apd hounced
away.
Millie walked slowly back to their
little ne-embowered cottage. Hers
| had been a humdrum, uneventful Ire
| until six months previous, when Nor
ton Chester bought his present estate,
| He was four years the senior OF Mill
lie and 1t was rumOred had made
business success. 1t was also learned
that he had only one relative IN the
world. younger step-brother. whom
he always spoke of with loving ten
derness. Mr.. Chester proved to be
good neighbor. His only servants
we're a hOusekeeper and cook. and
one day he invited the sisters to
formal dinner, later took tea with them.
and It grew to be so that he would
drop in on them for chat. or invite
them over to Fairview to advise him
as to some landscape gardening.
Anice was an exaeting chaperon. but
Mile and he nurtured q warm mutual
companionship that both priced. For
about a month, however. the Gordons,
had barely seen Mr.. Chester. Abrupt
Nv he seemed to evade them. He called
no more at the cottage. and Millie
grew grave and puzzled and Anice
oIite offended. The latter limited at
mystery when there arrived dark,
sinister appearing man. Now Millie
gave an hours serious thought to the
stranger, seeking to analyze the alter
alton in the behavior Of their neigh
Dor. and said to her sister later:
"Anice. fear that Mr.. Chester Is
in some deep trouble
'That is not our affair."" replied
Anice Grossly. "He has seen fit to L.
est in him."
But / have. sister DEAR" began Mil
lie, flushing visibly.
perhaps too much" commented
Anice significantly.
81 do not forget how kind and con-
siderate he has been to u.s." proceeded
Mile. 81 am satisfied that Mr.. Ches-
fer Is in difficulty and has been ever
since that man. Walters. came to Fair
view. Mr.. Chester acts as IL he Is
afraid of him. He looks pale and wor-
ried, and have seen Walters meet
vicious looking fellow at the stock
shelter shed several times, always at
dusk, and they suggest 4 couple OF
plotters."
II was two evenings later when Nil
lie, wandering sadly past the western
confines OF Fairview, noticed 4 light
If the shelter shed. An hour later,
pale and agitated. she hastened home
ward to seek her sister at once.
>"Anice." she said, 81 have overheard
hat man Walters and his sinister
friend discussing Mr.. Chester. He Is
he center of an infamous scheme OF
.xtortion. 1t seems that his step-broth-
n is in South America on a secret bus
ness mission, and they have convinced
Ar. Chester that he went there to es-
ape prosecution for an embezzlement
le committed. but which his former
employers have not yet discovered.
Walters threatens to expose him un-
ess Mr.. Chester brides him literally.
they have SO deity worked on the
ears of Mr.. Chester that he hides him
elf In fancied disgrace from all his
riends. I have learned enough to give
James and addresses, whereby Mr..
chester can easily be assured Of the
innocence Of his step-brother and the
uilt of these human harpies. Why
where are you going" for Anice bsd
risen with set, resoluts face.
II am going to see Mr.. Chester, and
am going by the short cut" came the
rim answer.
Mr., Chester did not return with
mice. but there was an expectant
triumphant look on her face a. she
aid: "Mr. Chester will be here within
n hour, Mile. He insisted on seeing
on TO thank you for relieving him
rom a domination that has caused
i'm untold misery"
Before 1 left the house." announced
fr. Chester, when he arrived, Il sent
Walters on his way with promise Is
end him to the peritcntiary II ever
aw his face again. On my way here,
smashed that No TrespassinI sign
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