The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1920-05-25
LOVE MIRACLE
By AUGUSTUS C. SHERWIN
Copyright. 1870, Western Newspaper UniOn)

est friend, Mrs. Ross Ewing, at Eek
moor the latter truthfully told he
that she seemed as far from wrinkles
Rirlhood
You certainly must have discovered
the fountain of youth, Laurette," fa
Iniiarly observed Mrs. Ewing. "Foul
years a widow, and many girl Of eight
cen would envy your dazzling beauty
What Is the secret Of your growing
charm?"
Love" softly and with certain
degree of shyness whispered Laurette
Winthrop. She blushed, but soon re-
gained the poise that ever distinguish
ed her as a woman not afraid of tell
ing the truth and entirely devoid of
any silly affectation. "And why not
my dear? 1t was quite homemade
match-my marriage with poor dear
Alvin-one of convenience brought
about by our respective families. He
was an honest, good natured, kindly
fellow, who INDUCED all my whims and
whom l thought enough of to respect
and never quarrel with. We got along
nicely, without any gush or pretenso,
and when he died missed him more
past now. There have been four lone
ly years. Two years ago l met man
] shall never forget, nor he me, l truly
believe There came illness for him
and he became changed man. We
drifted apart because he became per-
feet hypochondriac in his ailment--
lost all interest in life, sank into
hermitlike mood and sent me word
that as a broken man he could have
no hopes that our pleasant friendship
could continue"
'And you still love him"
Il can help him-that is why come
to you. His physician says he needs
someone to rouse him from his lethar-
gy. While he has grown thin and
pale and ambitionless his doctor says
half of his indispositlon is imagination,
pure and simple"
"Who is he Laurette?"
His name is Irwin Throop."
"Why 1t cannot be he who last
week took the Morton place near the
lake?"
"The same" replied Laurette "And
therefore / have come to you, who are
a revivifying force wherever you ex-
ert your influence. You rule unques-
toned in EXmeor here. What you
pronulgate is law, with ready aids at
command to carry out what you de-
sign. You can bring Irwin Throop
out of his dark mood, you can help me
lead him back TO the love for me
which has changed to his morbid fear
for himself.''
Mrs. Ewing looked startled, puzzled
and essentially inquisitive. you see"
continued Laurette, lat Paxton Mr.
Throop was coddled, sympathized with !
and made to believe that he was In
a dying condition. The doctor insist
ed that he must get change. 1t took
him no further than locating here. If |
the same system Of tactics Is kept up, |
1t will do him no good Through your
wise womanly ways he should be u
ready subject This Is what | have |
thought out" and Laurette confidential !
ly impaired to her closest friend just
what she had thought out.
Il am going back to Paxton" said |
Laurette. II can hardly stay here to |
have his relatives say that am chas-
ing him down."
but 1 can invite you here, after
awhile"
"Yes, when you have rescued the
invalid from his gloom and melan-
choly"
"And he views you with the old time
bright eyes?" smiled Mrs. Ewing. Il
think time will work the charm, dear"
"In your skilledshands, surely" re-
piled Laurette with confidence,
They had humored the whlms of
the notional patient at Paxton and
the dolorous atmosphere surrounding
him had made OF Irving Throop con-
frmed misanthrope. A case of nerves
had grown into a bugaboo of fancy
and dread.
Mrs. Ewing had summoned and
posted her emissaries. 1t was some
thing of novelty and stimulant to
Irwin Throop to have people meet him
and treat him as If he was normal
fellow creature instead of con-
firined invalid, physical wreck. No
one condoled with him, no one told
him he looked pale and weak. Every
body hailed him with CHEEKY, friendly
He was ashamed to mention
his ailments to people who apparently
observed no trace of them In his bear
ing.
The fair plotter, Mrs. Ewing, fairly
led, dragged and held him in a new
social bondage that began to interest
him. She coaxed him into tennis. He
was an excellent player and believed
the compliments he received as to his
in the sport.
In fact, within a month Irwin
was a new being. There was
no time for moping among the jolly
group who were determined TO win
him back to seeing only the bright side
Of life. One day he wrote to Laurette,