Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1921-09-16
COMMONPLACE
BY LILLIAN E. CHARLTON

Mndge, weary and warm from n long
mornings work In the berry patch,
was seated in II 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.
lsh energies into the running OF the
farm, II seemed ms II cousin Gwendo-
Ign had n monopoly Of cooneSs and
daIntiness and nale.bue muslns. Per-
hnps that accounted for her contrary
mood and the snapp!sh replies she
gave to her cousins occasional ques.
lions.
"Madge, dear" Gwendolyn's musical
voice sounded from the depths of the
hammock "hNve you read this last
beautiful article Of Donald Caring
tons?"
mo, | haven't" snapped Madge,
"But yOu surely think he is wonder
full, do YOU notT Such originality and
such eSpresslonl"
81 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 rnving. !
can picture him sitting by big desk
In comfortable chair, running his
lily white fingers through his waving
locks while he pauses for fresh insplra-
ton"
Madge. enjoying her cousins shocked
look was preparing to add fresh color
to her imaginary picture, when she
spied n dusty figure, In disreputably
dusty machine, trying to climb the hill
road.
There's poor, Woodworking soul
In distress!" she exclaimed, I'm
going to see what is the matter. You
can stay with Donald Or" bit
wickedly wouldn't you like to come,
too, Gwendolyn-and help?"
81 think not" answered Gwcndolyn,
calmly. "He looks like rather a com.
monplace sort of man."
Commonplace he certainly looked,
and very commonplace was the Ques-
tiOn he asked,
"Will YOU please tell me the way to
the nearest garage? I'll have to have
help here.
Madge looked critically at the ma
chine. 81 wonder IL it could be the
same trouble that Uncle Jim had last
week." she pondered. I'VE had an
awful time, but we fixed it just there"
and she pointed with practised finger
to 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 to know so
much about machines and work in
generalf" he questioned
"Tve been trying to run this place
since father died, four years ago" she
answered. I've had time-and need
TO learn a good many things"
"And you have learned them WE'LL"
he said, admiringly.
But l get horribly tired and impa.
tient sometimes" Madge confessed.
To-day maligned my COUSINS fuvorita
author, Donald Darlington. I really
like him, but I was cross and tired
and made fun of him." and she re-.
hearsed the subject to her laughing
auditor.
81 know Darlington n little" he
smiled, land l guess he is lazy duff
fer-sometlmes."
Leaving, he drew some cards from
his pocket with the words, Perhaps
your cousin would like to hear her
favorlte author. I 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 fortnight past.
The lecture was over at last and
Darlington was the centre of an ador
ing throng. Yet somehow he was as
unassuming MS 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 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 sake?' The
honest blue eyes looked into the
depths of hers.
Eyes, oh, yes" she said n 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.