The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1920-02-27
A BROKEN LIFE
-
BY ALLEN cHAMPNEY.

casual way the other appelative mas
become common. You may wonder at
It, for she is not only beautiful but
rich. Her eccentricities are constant
and numerous, and young as she Is
they say she has a satire and sar
casm at command that would make
star of an old Grecian pessimistic
philosopher. Some deep disappoint'
ment must have ruffied the fair sur
face of her life, for she Is consist
-ent man hater and her apt ridicuie
of sham, pretense and affectation has
not made her at all popular"
4 The speakers stood at window OF
the lobby of the hotel at Walford, re
garding a Queenly appearing lady who
was just passing by.
They casually discussed her and
turned away, but man of about thir-
ty who had stood directly behind them
moved closer to the window. There
was something more than Interest In
his fnce-a token Of deep emotion
and q thoughtful expression were In
his eyes as he remained staring blank
Nv out on the street. He had become
n guest at the hotel and registered as
Randall Paxton that morning. AT the
end Of a protracted reverie he turned'
away with deep sigh.
The lady who was the object Of all
this attention was life in harmony, to
outward seeing, with the designation
that had been awarded her. Her face,
though smf1eless, almost severe, was
perfect in its contour. Her eyes, which
at times were scornful or naughty,
when In repose bore half-hidden
sadness that told Of some secret SCR
row
A storm Of censure and dlsapproval
greeted her when she selected Alice
Wade as her maid. A member of a
family poor, obscure, the father OF
which was drrnkaHi, herself de-
serted wife, Alice had been Stunned,
despised. With rare human pity
Miss Winters took her up, lifting a
depressed solA from gloom to sunshine
and winning DEVOTION and love that
was almost pathetic.
1t was Alice who knew of countless
deeds of charity done by her mistress
in secret. 1t was she who knew that
in her dark moody moments Miss
Winters shut herself up in a room
never visited by others. 1t was Alice
who knew that her young mistress
had loved and lost. embittering her
life in the present.
The stranger Mt the hotel for three
nights in succession passed some time
In the vicinity of the house where
Miss Winters lived. He was rather
MYSTERIOUS in his actions. He evaded
pedestrians and never iet his hotel
during daytime. One evening he was
near to the Winters home, when Alice
was hurrying' towards the house. AS
she passed q hedge a rough looking
man sprang into view and caught her
arm.
Its me. my pretty, your rowing, I'M
fortunate husband. hear you've got
a Job where there's lots of money and
jewels. You've got to get me some"
II wouldn't give you a penny If you
were starving!" protested Alice and
broke away. The man started after
her. Paxton interviewed, knocked him
senseless with a single blow, and hug
ried the girl homewards.
There, you are SAFE" he said, "and
If that miscreant troubles you again
Just call the police. Whyl what is
thatT" as thunder0us sound emanat'
ed from the house, startling, alarming.
Something has happened. Oh, my
young mistress" palpitated Alice, and
she rushed into the house, followed by
Paxton. Into the wing room Alice
dashed. At Its threshold for an in
stant Paxton paused. A part of the
ceiling had fallen and Miss Winters
lay insensible on tho floor amid its de
bris. This was the room where Miss
Winters spent 50 mnny hours Of medi-
tation In solitude. Upon table in the
corner was framed photograph, mar
velously resembling the young man,
some tr1fies of jewelry. failed
bouquet, evidently love mementos Of a
far past.
Paxton's face was colorless. He quiv-
cred like a strong tree shaken by
tempest as he lifted Miss Winters ten
derby, carried her to a couch In the next
room and telephoned for a physician.
A great aspiration Of relief swept his
lips as an hour later Alice came to
him and informed him that the doctor
reported Miss Winters only Temporal.
rily stunned. Alice looked agitated as
she glanced at the photograph and
then at the stranger.
"You are the man !" she spoke In a
low, intense tone. ~
you mean,- an old friend CT Miss
Winters. whom she has remembered~
replied Paxton. "Yes. I was her af-
! famed husband. A schemink sister
plotted to prove to me that she loved
another. left home a broken-henrt-
ed wnnderer. Only few months
since ] learned Of the cruel conduct Of
my sister,
"Shall tell Miss Winters thlsr'
questioned Alice.
IF you will" and Alice went away
and returned with beaming face.
"She knew all. She wishes to see you.