Mexico weekly ledger., 1921-07-21
COMMONPLACE
BY LILLIAN E. CHARLTON

t9. 1871. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.I
Madge. weary and warm from a long
mornings work In the berry patch,
was seated in a shady corner Of her
garden. Opposite her cousin Gwendo-
Ign, cool and dainty In pale-blue mus
lin, was reclining gracefully In the
hammock. To tired Madge. who since
her fathers death had put all her girl
ish energies into the running of the
farm, 1t seemed as If cousin Gwendo-
iyn had a monopoly of GOODNESS and
daintiness and pale-blue muslins. Per
haps that accounted for her contrary
mood and the snappish replies she
gave to her cousins occasional ques-
lions.
"Madge, DEAR" G~wendolyn's musical
voice sounded from the depths of the
hammock, shave you read this last
beautiful article Of Donald Caring
ton's?"
mo, I haven't" snapped Madge.
but you surely think he is wonder
ful. do you not? Such originality and
such expressionl"
II have my own opinion Of him and
others like him." she muttered. "He
probably has had precious little per-
sonal knowledge Of that, Gospel Of
Work over which you are raving. !
can picture him sitting by a big desk
In a comfortable chair, running his
lily white fingers through his waving
locks while he pauses for fresh inspira-
tion."
Madge, enjoying her cousins shocked
look, was preparing to add fresh color
to her imaginary picture, when she
spied q dusty figure. in a disreputably
dusty machine. trying to climb the hill
road.
There's a poor. Woodworking soul
In distress! !" she exclaimed. "Tm
going to see what Is the matter. You
can stay with Donald. Or" a bit
wickedly. wouldn't you like to come,
TOO, Gwendolyn-and help?"
81 think not" answered Gwendolyn.
calmly. HE looks like rather a com.
monplace sort Of man."
Commonplace he certainly looked.
and very commonplace was the ques-
tion he asked.
evil you please tell me the way to
the nearest garage2 I'll have to have
help here.
Madge looked critically at the ma
chine. 81 wonder If 1t could be the
same trouble that Uncle Jim had last
week." she pOndered. 1--WE had an
awful time. but we fixed 1t just there"
and she pointed with practised finger
to q bit of the mechanism.
"After considerable work on the
part of both the little machine was
put into normal running order.
"How did you happen to know so
much about machines and work In
goneral?'" he questioned.
give been trying to u this place
since father died, four years ago." she
answered. "Tve had time-and need
to learn a good many things"
"And you have learned them well"
he said, admiringly.
"But I get horribly tired and impa'
tient sometimes" Madge confessed
"Today I maligned my cousins favorite
author, Donald Darlington. I really
like him, but l was cross and tired
and made fun of him." and she re
hearsed the subject to her laughing
auditor.
g" know Darlington a little" he
smiled, land | guess he is a lazy duff
fer-sometimeS."
Leaving, he drew some cards from
his pocket with the words, "Perhaps
your cousin would like to hear her
favorite author. | believe he lectures
In cambridge next month. Possibly
you would come, too. We may meet
again."
On the night Of the lecture the big
town hall was crowded. Madge looked
up quickly as the lecturer entered.
only to look, Mortified, as quickly
downward. For, beyond mistake, this
Donald Darlington, immaculate In
evening garb, was none other than her
"Prince Dusty" of a fortnight past.
The lecture was over at last and
Darlington was the centre of an ador'
ing throng. Yet somehow he was as
%unassuming as Prince Dusty had been.
1t was late In the evening when the
two found themselves In a quiet cor.
ner, and she asked:
"Can you forgive me2 I really didn't
mean"
There isn't anything to forgive" he
laughed. "But l want to ask a favor
Your cousin Gwendolyn has invited
me to call at your home. Have I your
permission to come-not wholly for
cousin Gwendolyn's sakeT The
honest blue eyes looked into the
depths Of hers.
eyes, oh, yes" she said a bit tremu'
lousy, not at all as she said the little
word, with her whole heart In her
voice six short months later.
Drowning Man Calls Dog to Rescue
Finding himself In difficulties while