The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1921-08-18
COMMONPLACE
BY LILLIAN Z. cHARLron

FeseeeesS~e~~ssees
10 iSii. BY Mcclure Nswspapsr syndioAtsJ
Madge, weary and warm from q long
mornings work In the berry patch,
was seated In a shady corner OF her
garden. Opposite her cousin Gwendo-
lyn, 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
lsh energies into the running Of the
farm, Il seemed as II cousin Gwendo-
lyn had a monopoly Of coolness and
daintiness and pale-blue muslins. Per.
haps that accounted for her contrary
mood and the snapplsh replies she
gave to her cousins occasional ques-
tions
"Madge. DEAR" Gwendolyn's musical
voice sounded from the depths Of the
hammock. shave you read this last
beautiful article Of Donald CARING
ton'sf
"No, I haven't" snapped Madge.
"But you surely think he ls wonder
ful, do you not1 Such originality and
such expressloni"
'T 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 big desk
In a comfortable chair. running his
lily white fingers through his waving
locks while he pauses for fresh inspira-
ton"
Madge. enjoying her cousins shocked
look. was preparing 70 add fresh color
10 her imaginary picture, when she
spIed dusty figure, in dlsreputably
dusty machine. trying to climb the hill
road.
There's a poor. hard.worklng soul
In distreaai" she exclaimed. "Tm
going to see what Il the matter. You
can stay with Donald. Or" bit
wickedly. wouldn't you like 10 come
too. Gwendolyn-and helpr
II think not" answered Gwendolyn.
calmly. "He looks like rather a com.
monplace sort OF man.
Commonplace he certainly looked
md very commonplace was the ques-
tion he asked.
"wIll you please tell me tho way 10
the nearest garagef I'll have TO have
help here.
Madge looked critically at the ma.
chine. II wonder II II could be the
same trouble that Uncle Jim had last
weekr' she pondered. "we had an
awful time. but We hxed Il Just there
and she pointed with practised nnger
10 a 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 10 know 20
much about machines and work In
general1' he questioned.
"rve been trying 10 run this place
since father died. four years ago" she
answered. "rye had time-and need
10 learn a good many things"
"And you have learned them WE'LL"
he said. admiringly.
"But I get horribly tired and impa.
tlent sometimes" Madge confessed.
To-day ! maligned my cousins fayorits
author. Donald Darlington. really
like him. but was cross and tired
and made fun OF him." and she re-
hearsed the subject 10 her laughing
auditor.
II know Darlington little" he
smiled. "and guess he Is lazy duff
fer-sometlmes."
Leaving he drew some cards from
his pocket with the words. Perhaps
your cousin would like 10 hear her
fayorite author. ! believe he lectures
In Balnbrldge 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 10 look, horrined, as quickly
downward For. beyond mistake. this
Donald Darlington, immaculate ia
evening garb, was none other than her
prince Dusty" OF 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
II was late In the evening when the
two found themselves In a quiet cor
ner. and she asked
"Can you forgive mel really didn't
mean"
There Isn't anything TO forgive" he
laughed. "But | want TO ask favor.
Your cousin Gwendolyn has Invited
me 10 call at your home. Have l your
permission 10 come-not wholly for
cousin Gwendolyn's saker' The
honest blue eyes looked into the
depths OF hers.
"Yes, oh. yes" she said a BIT tremu-
lously, not at all as she said the little
word. with her whole heart In her
voice six short months later.