Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1920-06-10
LOVE MIRACLE
By AUGUSTUS c. sHERwIN
,pvrirht 1920. Western Newspaper Vi

she appeared at the home OF her CLOS
est friend, Mrs. Ross Ewing, at EX-
moor, the latter truthfully told her
that she seemed as far from wrinkles
as when she had first known her in
girlhood.
"You certainly must have discovered
the fountain of youth, Laurette," IA
miliarly observed Mrs. Ewing. -Four
years 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
nv dear? 1t was quite a 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 / thought enough of to respect
and never quarrel with. We got along
nicely, without any gush or pretense,
and when he died l missed him more
than l can tell. But that is all
past now. There have been four lone
ly years. Two years ago met man
l shall never forget, nor he me, 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
J no hopes that our pleasant friendship
could continue"
"And you still love him?"
81 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 indisposition 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?"
'rThe same" replied Laurette. "And
therefore have come to you, who are
revivifying force wherever you ex-
ert your influence. You rule unques-
toned in Exmoor here. What you
promulgate 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, "at Paxton MIR
Throop was coddled, sympathized with
and made to believe that he was in
a diving condition. The doctor insist
ed that he must get a change. 1t took
him no further than locating here. II
the same system of tactics is kept up
1t will do him no good. Through youl
wise womanly ways he should be q
ready subject. This is what l have
thought out" and Laurette confidential
ly impaired to her closest friend just
what she had thought out.
81 am going back to Paxton sait
Laurette 81 can hardly stay here te
have his relatives say that am chas
ing him down."
But | can invite you here, aftel
awhile"
Yes, when you have rescued thu
invalid from his gloom and melan
choly"
"And he views you with the old TIM
bright eyes?' smiled Mrs. Ewing. $
think time will work the charm, dear.
"In your skilled hands, surely!" re
piled Laurette with confidence.
They had humored the whims 0
the notional patient at Paxton ant
: the dolorous atmosphere surrounding
him had made of Irving Throop con
! tirmed misanthrOpe. A case of nerve
had grown into bugaboo of fame
and dread.
Mrs. Ewing had summoned an
posted 0er 6LnlSSaTieS. IL WAS SOult
thing of novelty and stimulant t
Irwin Throop to have people meet hiI
and treat him as If he was norma
fellow creature instead of cor
! frmed invalid, physical wreck. N
one condoled with him, no one tol
him he looked pale and weak. Every
E. body hailed him with CHEEKY, friendl
greeting. He was ashamed to mentio
: his ailments to people who APPARENT
& observed no trace of them in his beal
:. ing.
The fair plotter. Mrs. Ewing, fairl
4 led, dragged and held him in ne
4 social bondage that began to interes
81 him. She coaxed him into tennis. II
was an excellent player and believe
the compliments he received as to h
experiences in the sport.
!. In fact, within month Irvi
Throop was new being. There wa
no time for moping among the joll
group who were determined to wi