The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1920-09-01
AN IMPLACABLE
WARDEN
tCopyright)
BY EDGAR WHITE

(Copyright)
The crime of Martha Trueman's un-
attached loveliness was LAID without
reservation at the door of her tall and
soldier-like aunt. who was spinster,
and who, II was said, had ordained that
the fair-haired orphan should travel
In her own austere footsteps. 1t was
q matter Of common. knowledge that
quite 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 about II was that she didn't
drop away and lose her buoyancy I'M
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 reprehenslble conduct was be-
Ing quietly discussed by several young
men in the Prairie Valley club room,
Robert Compton, a newcomer, who
was assistant superintendent Of the
local electrical machine works, cas-
ually remarked that he had been in
troduced 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 so?' inquired Compton.
Mcpherson shrugged his shoulders,
and laughed bitterly.
you've had fair warning" he said,
"and 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 off his
cigar, and said:
swell. my heads set on being initi-
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 graciously 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
to 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. As she did so tiny cloud Of
smoke was waited toward her and she
coughed 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..
Compton," inquired Aunt Naomi.
81 can, though I don't" said the
young man, boldly" I
You won't play checkers with me?'
demanded Aunt Naomi, in astonish-
ment.
Lets talk that's nicer" said Comp
ton. ingratlatingly.
1t was nearly eleven when Compton
arose to leave, and as, he did so he
remarked apologetically to Aunt Ma
opi:
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; 81
enjoyed your talk better, anyway"
They accompanied him. to the door
and Martha's bright eyes warmly Sec
onded her aunt's invitation to repeat
the visit.
well, Miss Martha met him with
smiles at the door," remarked McPher-
son dreamiiy, when Compton Joined
them in the coy corner. Of the club
room, next evening.
And she ushered him into the lit
tie parlor, where Aunt Naomi received
him like a captain Of the old guard"
added Harry Guthrie, reminiscently.
You've guessed right" returned
Compton. smiling.
you all sat down for a quiet little
chat" Mcpherson said, "and just as
you began feeling you were glad You
came, and that you would be stin
gladder II her royal and somewhat an
Gent highness would get sleepy ana
90 to bed. she challenges you to play
9 game of checkers"
"She did that very thing" said Comp.
ton. easily. -
"Qf course, and you being gentle
manly sort of fellow. and naturally
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