The L'Anse sentinel., 1923-01-05
THE TEST
20. lssa. western Nswspapsr unlon.1
BY MILDRED WHITE

Gail sat at the silk-draped window
looking down the long road. 1t was
q very beautiful road, bordered with
great trees. but the girl in her lone
liness would have preferred to see
gateways here and there, inviting to
companionable homes.
In coming to this mountain isola-
health. True it was that her active
business life In the great city had
left 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 u 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 a life-debt of gratitude? Jeal-
ously the mother guarded this child
of her love. The girl sometimes sor-
rowfully fancied that her own jealous
keeping was the true reason of their
solitary living, and not the frail
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
aration which moved her. Mrs. Ken
zie had realized the tragedy of dis
lllusionment in her own marriage
q husband ever and ever absorbed In
business affairs, to the exclusion OF
home ties and home interests-later.
returned begging his wife's care In
his death sickness, that care was not
denied him. Anna Gail Kenzie nursed
her husband faithfully and buried him
without weeping. but to her little girl
she remarked: II hope that you may
never marry" SO, during Calls at
tendance at the girls school to which
her mother sent her, Mrs. Kenzie 1oc-
cupied a house nearby and was tire
less chaperon.
There had been two serious sultors,
whom even Mrs. KenZie's uhscrupu-
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-
quire trip abroad.
Gail, darling" said her mother one
afternoon, you had better take n walk
to 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 piny wood
toward IA clearing. A crude shack
stood there. AS she passed, curious.
young man case from the cabin to
rest on the doorstep.
"You wished something?" he asked.
"No," she replied; II was merely
wondering how this little house came
here so quickly"
"We really carry them about" he
told her. II am civil engineer and
we are looking this land over"
Gail sat down OH 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 to 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. curtly, her mother ex-
planned: Il told him that your place
was here. He saw my point and
went away. And you need not fear
that he will find time for grleving |;
he has had the offer of an important
commission far away"
RohnChCd, oult oOu6uL tut CdDln
the wood--it was vacated. And
though she herself walked each day to
the village post Office, no letter re-
warded her there. Calmly, then, he
had accepted the decision. The bright
ness seemed to .ade from her face
at her mothers repeated assurance
that "all men were that way-selfsh---
faj.hless.r
The last scarlet and golden leaves
were falling from the trees in the pIny
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 thiS6mountain 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 !
refused the commission. We will be
happy here togetherAso long as II
takes to make you well again."
A step rustled the leaves nearby.
I