The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1919-08-28
A STRANGE STORY
BY MADeE WEST.

this June afternoon In writing you Of
the strongest love story that am sure
you ever heard--and the love story Is
MY own. Are you not very much sur.
prlsed7
II is true that I answered recently
| your questioning as TO any possible
present love affair. assuring you that
during my long time with Aunt Mil
licent In Cooperstown, no young, old
or middle.aged man had paid me the
slightest attention. And | believe |
further went on TO say that few men
find their way TO this quaint isolated
town. So, Of course. you must have
mentally resigned me TO the fate OF
single blessedness, which |, myself,
have long considered In cheerful
spirit.
But all this Is past, and am to be
married tolnorrow--a glorious tomor-
row, Ruth, dear, with all the flowers OF
the garden sending forth perfume. like
the emanatlng Joy OF my heart.
Coming TO Cooperstown with n
girls yearnlng for n continuation OF
youthful pleasures, I looked about for
young society. But from the first hut
one person claimed my interest. A
man whose ability In his profession
could not be hidden even here. and
who remained In the old family home
OF the lonely town In order 10 care for
crippled elderly sister. This sister
had sacrificed much for him, raising
the orphaned brother from delicate
childhood ia educated manhood. Thus,
he now repaid her sncrlfces-and what
Il had cost him TO renounce the wider
field of opportunity In his chosen pro-
fesslon none knew, save I, as ! first
saw him.
"who IL that manT I askAl Aunt
Mllllcent, after his bow tO her and
his flashing glance In my direction.
/ Aunt Mllllcent closed her lips In
firm way that later learned "a
dread.
Ellis name" she responded. ''ls
Philip Dare and the less you know Of
him the better"
"He looks" defended. "llke n man
20 be admlrcd-respectcd.
"He is," Aunt Mllllcent answered
dryly, Especially the former. And
many an admirlng heart has he broken
Il shall never marry Philip tells the
foolish girls, my life must be devoted
60 my sister"
Il Aunt Mllllcent turned upon me
sharply: II saw the way he looked nj
you Just now, Man." she said, "remem'
Der. he Is not 10 come near our house
while you live with me-"
But aunt's admonltlon was unneces.
sary; Philip Dare came not To her
house. His greeting was always
pleasant MS we met nj some village
gathering, or would exchange n smile
with him In passing as he wheeled his
crippled sister about the quiet grounds
OF their old. stately home, and always
Ruth. you may laugh II you will
recalling my many glrllsh conquests--
always. would return 10 Aunt Mill
cents. content with my glimpse Of the
man who had never from that first
meeting. been absent from my thought.
When they spoke Of pretty. merry
girls, who darlngly spent their evenings
upon the wide yerandas OF Philip
Dare's home. or picked him up upon
some errand 10 carry him home In
their cars-I stlll smiled In confident
satisfaction as bent over my sewing,
Philip, ! knew, cared for not one or
them.
SO perhaps year passed. learning
nothing OF his cOmpanlonshlp. knowing
him, Il would seem. but In fancy. Then
one evening he came abruptly 10 stand
before me where l sat beneath tree
IN the garden.
sI have 20 20 out of town for few
days" he said gently, ITO be In con
sultatlon with other lawyers"
Aunt came frOwnlng toward us. I
could not even offer friendly hand.
"Good.by," l said. For moment
our eyes met, then he vas gone. But
Il was as though We had talked. he
and l, OF the past that was gone, and
had made promises 20 each other for
the future to come.
In his continued alOOfncss and Ap.
parent Indifference 10 myself aunt lost
her forebodlngs.
snow what" she mused, "do you sup
pose brought Philip Dare In herel A
passing notion. likely" she immediate.
iy answered herself. "He was always
that way"
When Philip returned from his trip
he bowed, passing the house, and |
waved my hand In response. My heart
had been with him throughout his Jour
ney. and strangely felt that he knew.
You remember, Ruth, dear, when !
visited you how disappointed you were
10 my lack OF interest for those things
used 10 enJOy-my thoughts were
with Philip Dare; was wondering
anxlOusly all the time IL the sick Sis
ter grew more exactlng; II that new
WEAKNESS still shadOwed his dear pa
tlent eyes.
The sister died one month ago. Last
night as ! sat In the garden alone,
Philip Dare came 10 me. As he sank
down ON the seat at my side, he clasped
my hand