The L'Anse sentinel., 1923-01-19
HIS OWN GAME
BY JANE GORDON
90, lsas, western Newspaper Union,

and gave a low, soft whistle. Leaning
forward, he endeavored to sight
through the fall-colored brush the
crude old house that stood on the
edge of the wood. He could just
glimpse its chimneys, from when
smoke was ascending. He had discov-
cred this dwelling when on his hunt
ing trip he had mistaken his way back
to the hunting lodge and been obliged
to ask direction.
The house had seemingly been oc-
cupied by strangely attractive young
woman and grabbed an\ shabby old
one. The old woman had brusquely
Informed Thornton that "the men
folks" were working and she couldn't
tell him. The young woman came
smilingly to his assistance.
"The paths hereabout," she told him.
"are so misleading"
Thornton, gazing from the faded
crimson felt hat on the gnfs dark
head to the rough high boots that
ended her overall costume, was sur
prised again, at the softness of her
eyes, the flash of white teeth between
crimson lips, with her recurring smile,
haunted Thornton so that he made
the trip to the house at the edge OF
! the wood again-and again. SO he
and Norma had become good friends.
very good friends indeed.
1t had taken, at first, much ingenu-
ity to persuade her to meet him at the
turn Of the shore-promises Of books
of travel-lore. Norma was vastly in
terested in pictures of foreign lands
interested in views of Thornton's own
city, with its wvndrous tall buildings.
The famous musician enjoyed i'm
mensely the girls delighted enthusi-
asm. Then he had later been able to
persuade Norma to ride in his motor
boat. and they had plowed joyously
down the lake together.
Norma was all surprises and charm
ing originality.
Thornton regretted that the young
women of his own class at home might
not hold for him like interest. They
were all wearlsome, in their expected
modern attitude.
Norma was different every hour, as
Bweet and winsome as an innocent
child.
He engaged In muslng fancies Of
her over his evening cigars at the
hunting lodge-the most adventurous
after he had glimpsed one day male
occupant of the mystifying house.
This man, hurrying in the direction
of the wood, had the roughness Of an
ancient pirate. That night Thornton
INDUCED the fancy that Norma had, in
infancy, been kidnapped by Lizzie and
her co-conspirators.
AS time passed In her delightful
proximity, Thornton did not hesitate
to make love to tie woodland maid
in a whimsical, tender fashion that
had won hearts more sophisticated.
| He carried his violin the night he
took her to ride on the moonlit water
and wooed her with music that set his
audience on fire. That night he
kissed her before he let her go. Next
day>he was returning to New York.
He smiled amusedly at his own
handsome reflection in the mirror over
the thought of his reluctance to leave
this woodland girl. Then he went to
bid her good-by. He choose moon
light again for the setting, for he had
an idea that the episode might, lead to
later inspiration.
Norma came again at his call. She
wore this evening an unaccustomed
dress Of trailing white. 1t was vast
iy becoming. Thornton smiled covert
ly at the flowing draperies.
ut Is good-by tonight, Norma" he
said ruthlessly. "I am going back to
the city. II Is not likely that we shall
meet again."
Breathless, wide-eyed, she stood re-
! garding him.
"Come down to the boat" he In.
vited. 1--WE will float into the moon
light while play my farewell to
you"
The girl, poised In her white drap-
cries, did not move.
Goodnight" she said DULY. Go,
please-now.'
Thornton hesitated. Perhaps she
would make 1t uncomfortable for him.
These lone women in solitary places
Briskly he retracted his steps to
the boat. From its seat he could
still see Norma standing there-a
white vision In the moonlight. The
vision haunted him afterward.
1t was strange how that last sor-
rowful gaze of the gypsy-dark eyes
did haunt him-how he could fancy
the girls trill Of laughter in the high
notes of his violin. Poor little Norma.
1t had been rough on her, his close
companionshlp its abrupt uprooting.
SO thought Thornton. Then one day he
came upon billboard In front Of the
Palace theater. Norna's picture,
Haunted in the very white robe In
which he had last seen her, confront
ed him. Below. Norma of the overall
costume; Norma In red gingham.
"The Girl of Lone Wood" he read,
Featuring Norma Newcomb."
It was in busy New York. 30 that II