The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1920-02-26
FORBIDDEN
PATH
WN~H
By CECILLE LANGDON

Snln or Indignation ana peereu
sharply at a piece of board supported
oy chains covering an apen gateway.
The sign read: mo Trespassing AL
owed"
Her younger sister, Mile, paled.
Cant you answerY demanded
Anice irrltably.
Il can only see that the path across
10 the main road has been closed to
The public" spoke Mlllie in a subdued
tone.
THE publicw snapped Anice.
FUDGE We are the only public who
ever cross this way. Heretofore, as
Il 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 forbidden path. Why!
take 1t as deliberate insult on the
part of Mr.. Morton Chester"
"Oh, don't say that, sister" quav-
cred Mile pleadingly. There is some
mistake-some reason"
"Well, | shall never recognize Mr..
Chester until l know what 1t Is
snapped Anlce testify, and founced
away.
Mile walked slowly back to their
little vine-embOwered cottage. Hers
had been a humdrum, uneventful life
until six months previous, when Nor
ton Chester bought his present estate,
He was four years the senior of Mil
lie and 1t was rumored had made
business success. 1t was also learned
that he had only one relative in the
world. a 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 a cook, and
one day he invited the sisters to a
| formal dinner later took tea with them,
and it grew to be so that he would
| drop in on them for a chat, or invite
| them over to Fairview to advise him
| as to some landscape gardening.
Anice was an exacting chaperon, but
Mile and he nurtured warm mutual
companionship that both priced. For
about month, however, the Gordons
had barely seen Mr.. Chester. Abrupt
| ly he seemed to evade them. He called
no more at the cottage, and Mile
grew grave and puzzled and Anice
quite offended. The latter limited at
mystery when there arrived a dark,
sinister appearing man. Now Mile
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 ig-
more US and I have no further inter-
est in him"
But have sister dear" began Mil
lie, flushing visibly.
perhaps too much" commented
Anice significantly.
II do not forget how kind and con-
siderate he has been to us, proceeded
Mile. 81 am satisfied that Mr. Ches-
ter 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 couple OF
plotters."
II was two evenings later when Mil
lie, wandering sadly past the western
confines of Fairview, noticed a light
at the shelter she'd An hour later,
pale and agitated, she FASTENED home
ward to seek her sister at once.
"Anlce," she said, II have overheard
| that man Walters and his sinister
! friend discussing Mr.. Chester He Is
the center of an Infamous scheme of
extortion. 1t seems that his step-broth-
er is In South America on a secret bus
| mess mission, and they have convinced
| Mr.. Chester that he went there to es-
cape prosecution for an embezzlement
he committed, but which his former
employers have not yet discovered.
Walters threatens to expose him I'M
less Mr. Chester brides him literally.
They have so deftly worked on the
fears of Mr.. Chester that he hides him
self in fancled disgrace from all his
friends. ! have learned enough to give
names and addresses, whereby Mr..
Chester can easily be assured Of the
innocence of his step-brother and the
guilt OF these human harples. Why !!
where are you going" for Anice had
arisen with set, resolute face.
~ am going to see Mr.. Chester, and
| am going by the short cut" came the
grim answer.
Mr.. Chester did not return with
Ance, but there was an expectant,
triumphant look on her face as she
said "Mr. Chester viii be here within
an hour, Mile. He insisted on seeing
you to thank you for relieving him
from domination that has caused
him untold misery
Before | left the house." announced
Mr.. Chester, when he arrived, Il sent
Walters on his way with a promise to
send him to the penitentiary II ever
saw his face again. On my way here,
smashed that No Trespassng sign
to splinters, Mile. The forbidden path
is forevermore public highway and
YOU can enter Falrview as freely as
you can my heart. which has been
yours since the day first met you.
Speak, dearest Is 1t worthy as an
| abiding nlacp for your loypp and Mil