The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1922-01-19
BEST PEOPLE
BY MILDRED WHITE

SVpSthhes Asas' Westefh NeWspeper Union
Philip Laldlaw was bitterly dlsap.
pointed In a woman--he whom women
had heretofore failed to interest. Al.
most, he had given up the shy hope Of
marriage, and a mate who would sat.
isfy his heart, when he behed Fay
Winters.
Fay had come back TO the small
town after an absence since young
girlhood. and Philip, the admired new
attorney, saw her first momentarily,
then with a lingering glance as she
came through the lighted doorway Of
the towns best store.
perhaps, after ALL" said. his mans
hopeful heart, "this happy young
woman may not be all that the towns.
people say" For her return had long
been heralded.
"Fay Winters coming back |" Phil.
Ip's landlady said. "Well, what pos.
sessed her, wonder, to come to the
town that wasn't good enough for her
years agoT
Fay Winters coming back to
Eldridgei" exclaimed Philips house.
keeper. "well, think Of that. after
all her travel and college trimming.
Won't be nobody good enough for her
to associate with. remember her;
she was nothing but a proud, pretty
slip OF girl. Her rich aunt brought
Fay up when she was left an orphan;
and now she's left her all her money"
so Philip Laidlaw formed his lmag
mary picture OF the newcomers char.
acter. She was a snob. no doubt. and
not an acquaintance TO be cultivated.
hut after his second lingering gnze
into the young womnn's sweetly at.
tractlve countenance, Philip had mar.
velously changed his opinion.
Either the girl had altered with
years, or her former nelghbors sian.
dered her; and after repeated eve
nings In Fay's pleasant society. the
hope Of marriage came joyously. thrill.
lngly az last to Philip.
Here was the woman OF whom he
had dreamed, and despalred OF find.
ing. And secretly yearning. as months
passed by. Philip decided. almost, 20
make HIS plea. Then came his great
disappointment. In her charm Tor
him, and her gracIousness. Philip over.
looked the Indlsputable fact OF Fay's
aloofness from others-her superior
ity. 80 openly deplorcd.
II was his housekeeper who forced
the subject upon him. Her com.
nlainings. he discovered, were now
echoed on. all sides.
Miss Winters hasn't got any use
for Eldrldge folks" the. old woman
told him, except you. because you've
been 20 college and have money. She
don't call on the regular people here.
or ask 'em 10 call on her. Not even
Mrs. DIR. Wells. or the bankers wife
And folks do say, they wonder who on
earth would be good enough 10 be a
friend OF hers"
Brusquely. because his heart was
null. Philip put the mntter before Fay
thot very evening. Though he had not
openly voiced his love for her. he
knew that the knowledge must be
bers.
"why," he regretted. do you make
no friends among the women here. |
Fayf Is II heeause-" the bitterness
of disappointment brought contempt |
20 his tones-"because there Ia no one
good enough--even among the best
peoplef"
In surprise. she regarded him. When
she replied. her voice sounded coldly. |
You are right" she agreed. zone
should be sure that n real friend II
good snough-one OF the best people"
Her lnsinuation angered him; he
took his hat and left. II was humlli
ating that the town folk should be
correct In their judgment OF the " 1m.
an he loyed-they. the cruelty, criu.
cal and slurring. She did not send
for him. and because he felt that he
owed her an apology which he could
not give. Philip Laldlow stayed-suf.
feringly-away. His ONCE assistant
later volunteered information.
"rhe danes are chattering again."
that young man said. "rhey are hor-
rtned now over Miss Winters new
Day after day she goes
down 10 May Worth's with her books
Dr her sewing Day after day the two
young women Gre seen together.
Such a contrast. you know, Mr.. Laid
ow, so stunningly unexpected. But
don't blame Miss Winters; the &C.
.epted set OF Eldridge are a narrow.
speculating lot; taken together or
'ingly. | know 'em."
Wondering unavoldably. Philip was
In his feet.
Tell me-" he demanded. ''where does
his Worth girl live-T
And the clerk told him. Philip had
iiniculty finding his way there. the
house was SO small and unobtrusive;
or lack OF paint. SO hidden by twist.
ID old trees from the roadway. but
Fay Winters was with her chosen
riend.
The friend sat- neatly shabby lit
lie creature-in an inexpensive gayly
'overed chair. The CHEEKY light from
IN open stove shone on the two girls