The L'Anse sentinel., 1923-11-23
CECILE'S MASTER
BY ELLIOTT r. GoLpMARK

d ANG! Bang! Bang!
- ''Ten, Z. L." sang the marker,
and looked with respect 1T the young
girl in front of his firing booth in the
amusement park. Not usually did soli-
tary young women show skill such as
this. The moving target Of outlined
ducks is battling TO the ordinary marks
man.
Ten, Z, 12-that's %. Give you IL
If you take three more shots, lady.
Only 80 in three shots aud You get
that fine china tea set"
CecileLeslie shook her head. She had
already spent 80 cents at the various
concessions, and had only 40 cents left
for lunch. dollar doesn't 10 far at
seaside resort. With determina-
tion to keep carfare and all within
that limit, Cecile had started with
only that amount in her purse.
Sure you'll take it." The man
leaned over the counter and. in spite
Of his lazy drawl, showed real inter-
est. Several passers-by had been at
tracted by the fine shooting and stood
watching Cecile crimsOned with EN-
barrassment. At that moment she
felt tug at her wrist. Her purse was
gone.
My purse" she cried, turning hasti-
ly, her face white. The crowd closed
In, opened, and then grew thicker in
the manner of crowds. But a young
man on the edge of the jam had al
ready started in pursuit. Two minutes
later he was back, holding by the
shoulder a rough-looking little man,
who quite nonchalantly drew out
Cecile's gray moire bag
Guess you got me this time, boss"
he said cheerfully.
The crowd parted and the youth
who had thus acted the part of provi
dence led his captive before The trem-
bling girl. Cecile clutcned her prop,
erty and seemed about to fall
ITS all right" the young man was
starting TO murmur, when Ii blue uni
formed policeman broke through the
Gordon of spectators and seized the
thief
Have TO prefer charges, lady," he
said. Better come along with me
now. Case won't come UP now, but
you'd better"
"This lady does not wish TO prefer
charges, officer" spoke up Ceclle's un-
known protector. "You can reach me
at that address,"
He handed the man a card. took the
girls arm and drew her through the
crowd of curious spectators.
"Now," he said, as he drew out a
chair for his charge at one Of the
little fables near the water and sum-
moned the waiter with gesture,
'you're going to have a cup of hot
coffee and then I'm going TO see that
you get home safely. A young girl
shouldn't be out here by herself on
holiday like this.
II assure you," he added, as the
steaming drink was set before the girl,
"that I'm absolutely respectable"
Cecile nodded with an answering
smile. The coffee had gone to the
right spot and some of the impish-
ness which had brought her alone to
the busy resort returned to her.
II don't know about that" she re-
piled firmly. "But ! do know that I'm
not going until I've been down the
roller coaster a couple of times, and
on the merry-go-round once, and-oh.
yes, at least once on those swinging
aeroplane things"
Her sparkling gaze dared him to
stop her. Their eyes met, each hold
ing the others glance.
"You most certainly are not" the
young man replied.
''For If you try" he added. as
Cecile's look grew belligerent, II shall
certainly pick you up and carry you
to the ferry"
Cecile drew out puff and applied
1t carefully, Strengthened her hat and
prepared elaborately to depart.
"Good afternoon, Mr.. Man." she
laughed. 81 appreciate your prompt
aid in time of need"
She nodded carelessly and turned.
The youth rose slowly, took two long
steps and was by her side.
you're going to the ferry" he re-
marked conversationally. One hand
seized her shoulder and again the eyes
met. Cecile turned crimson. then pale
with anger, as she realized the man
would do exactly what he had said.
Stiffly she turned toward the ferry
landing, the unknown by her side.
On the ferry she did not address
word to the attentive squire who, with
knit brows, proffered a more comfort
able chair. box Of candy and shine
from the young bootblack.
In the little park on the other side
she sat calmly down on one of the
benches and looked up at her rescuer.
II certainly shall not show you
where l live" she began.
Then she saw that the young mans
handsome face was eonvulsed with
mirth, and suddenly the humor Of the
situation rushed over her. With a
shout of laughter she Joined him In
enjoyment of the situation.
Anyone passing through the square
would have thought them insane, but
surely Fate smiled quietly at the
thought of the future Of these two
thrown together thus.
Too Much.