Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1922-12-27
THE TEST
.~~~~~~~~~~~
BY MILDRED WHITE
~. lsss. western Newspaper unlon.l

looking down the long road. Ii was
a very beautiful road. bOrdered with
great trees, but the girl In her lone
illness would have preferred to see
gateways here and there, inviting 10
cOmpaniOnable homes.
In coming TO this mountain isola-
ton Mrs. Kenzie had pleaded broken
health. True il was that her active
business life In the great city had
LETT little leisure FOR rest or relaxation.
She had endeavOred, from the time OF
her husbands death, years ago, to
carry on his real estate business, and
well had she succeeded. Gail, their
only child, had been given college
education and the various homes In
which mother and daughter had lived
together had been homes OF comfort
and beauty, later disposed Of to ad-
vantage
Mrs. Kenzie, now retired from bust
ness, eXacted the undivided cOmpan-
ionship OF her daughter-must one not
repay llfe-debt of gratitude7 Jeal-
ously the mother guarded this child
Of her love. The girl sometimes s0r-
rowfully fancied that her own Jealous
keeping was the true reason Of their
solitary living. and not the frai
health of which her mother com
planned, yet showed no symptoms.
She had long known that the pos
sible event of her own marriage was
her mothers greatest fear. And II
was not alone the selfish fear Of sep
aratlOn which moved her. Mrs. Ken
zle had realized the tragedy Of dis
illusiOnment I'm her own marriage
a husband ever and ever absorbed In
business affairs. 10 the exclusion OF
home ties and home interests-later,
separation. When, after years, he
returned begging his wife's care In
his death sickness. that care was not
denied him. Anna Gail Kenzle nursed
her husband faithfully and buried him
without weeping, but TO her little girl
she remarked: Il hope that you may
never marry" SO, during Calls at
tendance at the girls school 10 which
her mother sent her, Mrs. Kenzie Oc-
cupied house nearby and was tire
less chaperOn.
There had been two serious Sultors,
whom even Mrs. Kenzie's unscrupU-
lous Interference could not discourage
An oppOrtune attack OF pneumonia,
with no serious results, was necessary
upon the first occasion to engage
Calls sympathy and loyal attention.
The second case was thought to re-
quirc a trip abroad.
Gail, darling" said her mother one
afternoon, you had better take a walk
20 the high bridge If you feel mopy."
Gail did not choose the high bridge
for her destination. Though she was
all unaware, fate was directing her
path. which led through a piny wood
toward a clearing. A crude shack
stood there. As she passed. curious.
a young man cas,e from the cabin TO
rest on the doorstep.
"You wished somethlng?' he asked.
NO" she replied; Il was merely
wondering how this little house came
here so quickly
I'VE really carry them about" he
told her. Il am a civil engineer and
we are looking this land over"
Gail sat down on the step at his side
and visited.
The second meeting was accidental,
but no less delightful. She had this
time dutifully taken the high bridge
walk and Stephen Ware was there.
So love came 10 them. Stephen asked
Anna Kenzie for the future keeping
OF her daughter.
"She cannot dissuade me from mar
rying you, Stephen" Gail had assured
him.
When Stephen had passed out from
her mothers sitting room after the
great question. Gail did not know.
Briefly, CURLY, her mother ex-
planned: Il told him that your place
was here. lie saw my point and
went away. And you need not fear
that he will find time for grieying;
ne has had the offer Of an important
commission far away"
SaddeRed. Gail sought the cabin in
the wOod-it was vacated. And
though she herself walked each day to
the village post office, no letter re-
wnrded her there. Calmly, then, he
had accepted the decision. The bright
ness seemed to sade from her face
al her mothers repeated assurance
that "aIl men were that way-selhsh-
faI:hless."
The last scarlet and golden leaves
were falling from the trees In the play
wood when one long-drawn day Gail
came upon stephen Ware.
"And when your mother told me
that the doctors said you must always
live In this mountain atmosphere, be-
cause OF your sick lungs, dearest;
when she showed me that the harsh
tang OF ocean air where my big com
mission must be fulfilled would never
do for you. why. went away-and l
refused the commission. We will be