The L'Anse sentinel., 1922-12-15
PRISONERS GATE
By MILDRED WHITE

| OH from pracucal W0rlu.
He had Travelled here at his business
partners suggestion, to find place OF
relaxation. No telephone could here
summon him to duty.
In Bartlett's little shack on the
wooded shore he was completely free
from interruption. All day he might
fish, or lazily dream.
He was enjoying his vacation In
Bartlett's shack. Now, as he gazed
out over the shining lake he spied at
a jut In the wooded shore a sort of
flower gate overgrown with flaming
flowers and vines. 1t occurred to him
that here might be place to find
needed refreshment for the noon-hour.
The row back to Bartlett's shack
was wearis0me one. He pulled In to
shore. AS he thought, the vine-cov-
cred gate lead into garden and on
to rambling old house, hidden from
road or passage A woman came out
to greet him and her smile was reas-
suring.
1T Is always pleasure to enter
tain strangers In our isolation" she
said. "Hulda will have luncheon ready
in few moments. 1t will be delight
to the girl to prepare 1t. ] save Hulda
all that ] can; she is not strong"
1t was In perplexity that Ogden ac-
cepted the veranda chair opposite that
Of his hostess and listened to her fur
ther condolences.
"My husband and ! came to this
wild place long ago, when his people
were fur traders. They left the house
to him. 1t was very desolate, but as
/ had been used to farm living ] was
| soon content. Our childlessness was
| my only sorrow. So, as time passed
we adopted children. First boy
who died. He was dear boy, too.
Hulda was the second; she has been
comfort as well as care. When
years later my husband died. Hulda
voluntarily stayed on with me, when
she might have made the excuse Of
earning her living a reason for going
| out into the world and mixing with her
kind. Hulda, you see, remained to
show her gratitude for my care.
Twelve years ago I adopted an
other tot, Gretta. Unfortunately she,
too, has been frail and In need Of
much care"
The large woman with rosy cheeks
smiled, her dark swapping eyes chal-
lenged her visitor. "Am not happy
woman In my two adopted daughtersT' r
"You speak Of spending here your
remaining days as though you were
an old woman" Ogden smiled.
Ogden, still strangely perplexed, fol-
lowed Mrs. Prescott into the house.
The soft intonation Of her speech was
unexpected In. the locality.
"This is the original sleeping gar.
den for sure" he told himself.
A tiny white childish face confront.
ed him. Old-young eyes gazed quizzi.
cally at his.
"Hello, Wood-Sprite," Ogden greeted.
Promptly the little girl came to sit
beside him.
II am just Gretta," she said. II knew
you would come again so watched.
They all come again ito see Hulda.
Mother thinks they come to get more
of Hulda's pastries, but know. She
is so sweet they like to look at her."
"Theyr questioned Ogden. Gretta
nodded.
"People like you" she explained.
"who stop when they see the flower
gate. They always have. They eat
and mother makes money. Hulds
cooks and serves, and"
The child's face hardened. Ogden
stared at Its expression.
Listen" Gretta said. I've got to
talk quick. saw the way you looked
at Hulda the other day, as II you
knew all at once how good and sweet
and abused she is. Well, our mother
Gretta's tone changed to quick dis.
gust-"Mother. I've got to call her
that, when she's Attend. She and
her husband adopted children to make
them slaves, to make them work In
fields and stable-to beat and starve
them. The boy died. Some way OF
other Hulda lived through 1t all and
grew up like some poor frightened
thing under lash. She has often told
me about It In the night when that
woman slept. Hulda would have run
| away long ago but when came, help
less baby. she determined to stand be
tween me and the cruel things that
| had happened to her." Gretta stopped
"we plan to 60, away together" she
went on, ''but that IL harder to do
than you might think. Mrs. Prescott
Is careful to claim all the money and
she prevails upon Hulda In her need,
| SO we wait our time" The child's thin
hands cIutched his. "You.r she said,
must be Hulda's rescuer. / shall stay
ON little longer. She has had enough
70 bear. A man can marry a woman,
| can't he, and take her away where he
VIM That's law. isn't It, Mr.. Ogdeni
| You will love her." the child assured
}bh. "You are just bound to love
| Hulda.'
Ogden arose abruptly, Bring hen
here" he demanded II shall row you
both across the lake and inquire into
this that you have been telling"
sHulda came. Her wide blue eyes
studied his anxious fAcs. Then the
three passed out through the flower