The L'Anse sentinel., 1922-06-16
ANN GALE
BY MILDRED WHITE


ington. you recall. was one Of our
very rich young men, and his ap-
preaching marriage with this or that
heiress constantly heralded. These
supposed engagements having been
later denied, society Immediately be-
gan to speculate.
The English woman whose hnnd ru-
NOR bestowed upon Richard had fol-
lowed him, IL was related. to his own
country. and was now in secluslon
In an American village,
Now. whether this gossip might be
true. society il general was anxious
20 ascertain; reporters were the young
mans aversion. and no authentic In
terTiew had taken place.
Richard. On his return, made Bright
Pcrt by tie sea his stopping place,
and brought the Honorable Berthe with
him
Dick expected TO be bored, as usual |;
but his second morning in Bright Port
changed this expectation.
Cantering down a leafy lane, he
came one day upon a witching young
creature. The girls eyes twinkled at
him, and she spoke his name.
Richard. displeased at the uncon-
yentional address, would have ridden
on his way-but the girl smiled, a
most enhancing smile, and Richard
halted-and fingered. Though she
confessed TO being guest OF the ho-
tel. Miss Ann frankly informed him
that she was not Of his class. Nor,
she saucily added, did she care to be.
So. as there was no promise Of meet
ing his charmer on common ground.
Richard took to haunting the byways
Of Bright Port. and was usually,
though briefly. rewarded. When he
came upon Berthe talking to Ann, Dick
was unreasonably angry
How did you happen to meet him"
he asked the girl.
The way / happened to meet you,"
she calmly replied
Her teasing dark eyes upon him,
Ann Gale charged Richard with his re-
ported English attachment, and for
the first time Richard gave practi-
cally the story of his life's history. 1t
was so far removed from newspaper
supposition that Ann opened wider her
witching eyes.
-Now, what do you think Of that"
she exclaimed
The Hon. BERTHE was as sur
prised as his friend that night
when they glimpsed Ann, in white
frock at the hotel dance.
-Never saw her in public" re-
marked Bertie; won't the women
freeze the unknown"
II the women did. two very good
dancing partners made up to Ann for
the lax. Then at midnight. like Gin
derella. the unknown" slipped away
from the ball.
'who is she?" they asked one an.
other.
An lll-natured person answered the
question in her significant way,
Three jeweled necklaces have re
Gently disappeared from rooms of
guests" she said.
Covington heard the words.
said 10 BERTHE. f
In the gardens the men talked the
thing over.
"It's darned queer" unused BERTHE,
that Miss Gale Is so keen on keep
ing herself secret-so to speak; most
attractive little lady. too. that have
ever met. II IL were not for Lady
Kitty, now"
'If Miss Gale prefers to keep to
herself, that's her privilege" Richard
curtly retorted
The music ceased, the guests had
long since sought their apartments,
while the friends fingered In the gar
den over their cigars.
Suddenly Dick leaned forward with
an exclamation; down an outer stair
way from the ballroom balcony, a
slight, white clad figure was descend
ing. In the moonlight Gales face was
plainly distinguishable. Beneath the
fringe of her scarf, something half
concealed glittered. BERTHE muttered,
as Richard rushed toward the girl. At
sight of him. Ann started. then smiled
In usual composure.
"Well7" she asked him.
'Tt Is l." he said breathlessly, "who
ask the question. The hour Is very
late, Ann: you are alone" he glanced
up to the balcony whence she had
come.
II fell asleep on the rest room
couch" Ann pleasantly explained.
'and when they locked the ballroom.
they locked me in. So i climbed out
through the balcony window. and here
I am
"Ann." distress was In Richards
tone. Don't you think you owe 1t to
me to tell me something about your
self
II have loved you as you desired
unquestioning. Now, ] ask you to be
my wife,
'Nowr repeated the girl softly
she paused.
Il have told you Of my humbleness
Richard. but 1 think / have never been
30 humble as now, before your true
love-"
From the fold Of her scarf, she drew
her own small glistening fan. II am