The L'Anse sentinel., 1923-08-31
MABEL's REACTION
BY n. LOUIS RAYsoLD
20. 1913. BY NocIur. Nswspspsr syndicate.


l0. 1898. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicats.)
CARTER KEITH, owner and editor
- of the Evansville Clarion" sat at
his desk and scanned the proofsheets
Of the weekly edition.
Suddenly he paused and cooked one
eye refiectively ceilingward. SO Mabel
was coming home Home to quiet lit
tie Evansville after four years at a
women's college In the city.
What, he speculated, would be the
resultf How would Mabel react to
the drab environment of her birth
place. whose chief dissipation was a
strawberry festival whose chief source
Of upllft was an occasional Chautau-
quar- Well, there was vast field for
Mabers influence, Carter decided. A
vast and hitherto unfarrowed field.
And In the weeks that followed Car
ter lent an occasional editorial pen
to the preparation Of that field for
the seeds of Mabels sowing.
| Miss Mabel Chester adorned her
part as taken In the Shakespearean
play presented by her sorority on Fri
day last. Perhaps with her advent the
old Dramatic club Of Evansville will
awaken to new triumphs.
: with pleasure Evansville welcomes
the imminent return Of Miss Mabel
Chester, native daughter. who will
undoubtedly bring with her great In
spiration from her contact with the
neighboring metropolis which will re-
dound to the advantage of our town."
Miss Mabel Chester on her arrival
on Mondays noon train commented
favorably on the improved appearance
of Main Street. An imposing struc-
ture, she characterized Eb Clark's new
hardware store. SO say we ALL"
AS matter of fact "some little gift
shop" would have been more accurate
Interpretation of Mabel's remark. but
Carter, Loyalty building reputation
for her, had edited as he saw fit. Since
school days Carter had had Mabel more
or less on his mind and now, although
she had grown up, he did not seem to
find 1t easy to shift the responsibility.
Not only, however. through the me-
dium of his paper did Carter seek to
aid and abet Mabel In an effort to
uplift Evansville.
yours Is wonderful opportunity,
Mabel" he told her solemnly on the
occasion Of his first call. Here Is an
entire town sunk in intellectual apathy
q ,hol he. thA a I'm
hand that summons us upward"
"You-you are very confident Of my
abilities" said Mabel, regarding hin
doubtfully.
'But the advantages you have had
Why, you owe 1t to yourself to expand
to develop, to unfold! 1t would be ,
crime burying your talent"
"Wait," interrupted the girl coldly
Remember. my dear Carter, you ar,
not writing an editorial. Tell M
who's been married or Tilted while 1
was gone"
But Evansville backed up Carter
Mabel was exalted to pedestal of hi!
making and Of the towns approving
She was asked to speak at church so
ciables ON "Ways to Improve Evans
VILE" Her advice was sought regard
Ing the curricula of the local schools
She was made member Of the library
board
Carter himself hunted up the old
members Of the Dramatic club, gath.
cred them into a somewhat reluctant
session, and spurred them into voting
Mabel In as president.
The idea was that the entire popula.
tion of Evansville was to turn out and
betake themselves with basket lunches
to certain popular grove reserved
for picnics Of any kind.
Beneath a spreading maple by the
rivers brim Carter lay stretched al
Mabel's side while she read from the
younger poets for several minutes
Suddenly, however, she stopped and
closed the book with vehemence. In
fact, II looked for second as II she
we're about to cast the delicate little
volume from her.
Then, "Carter," she began and hel
eyes were blazing. II think you are
to blame for all this tomfooleryl
Carter looked at her Quizzically
@What tomfoolery do you meanY hs
asked.
"Why-all this uplifting business
As II had nothing to do but reform
Evansville am sick to death In
hearing of my wonderful advantage.
and unparalleled opportunities and
but what's the use?
you're possessed with 1t all and &c
could not make you understand. Be
fore came home. did have little
bit Of an idea that I could do some
thing perhaps to stir up the town.
had even made few plans for civic
improvements and activities. Now ]
never want to hear Of such a thing
againT
Mabel, gazing mournfully down the
river as one who watches vanishing
Illusions. failed to catch Carriers little
satisfied nod and the smile in his eyes
But the sudden feel of his strong
young arms about her startled her com
pletely from her reverie.
''Dear little girl" said Carter ten
derly, "I'll never mention uplift "a