The pioneer-review. [volume] (Philip, Haakon County, S.D.) 1920-current, 1922-04-20
BEST PEOPLE
BY MILDRED WHITE

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Copyright, 1872. Western Newspaper Union
Philip Laidlaw was bitterly disap-
pointed in woman-he whom women
lad heretofore failed to interest. Al.
most he had given up the shy hope Of
marriage, and 4 mate who would sat
sly his heart, when he beheld Fay
Winters.
Fay had come back to the small
town after an absence since yeung
sirlhood. and Philip, the admired new
attorney, saw her first momentarily,
then with 4 lingering glance rs she
came through the lighted doorway Of
the towns best st0rs.
Perhaps, after ALL" said his mans
aopeful heart. this happy young
woman may not be all that the towns
people say" For her return had long
been heralded.
Fay Winters coming backl" Phil
ip's landlady said. well. what pos
sessed her, wonder, to come to the
town that wasn't good enough fer her
years asoT
Fay Winters coming back to
Eldridgew exclaimed Philips house
keeper. "Well, think Of that. after
all her travel ana college training.
Won't be nobody good enough fer her
to associate with. remember her;
she was nothing but 4 proud, pretty
slip Of 4 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 imag.
mary picture Of the newcomers char
acter. She was 4 snob, no doubt, and
not an Acquaintance to be cultivated.
But after his second lingering gaze
into the young woman's sweetly at
,ractive countenance, Philip had mar
velously changed his opinion.
Either tho girl had altered with
years, or her former Aeighbcrs SIAN
dered her; and after repeated eve
nngs in Fay's pleasant society, the
hope Of marriage came jcyeusly. thrill
ingly at last to Philip.
Here was the woman Of whom No
had dreamed, and despaired Of And
Ing. And secretly yearning a. months
passed by, Philip decided. almost, to
make his plea. Then came his great
disappointment. In her charm for
him, and her sraciousness, Philip over.
looked the indisputable fact Of Fay's
aoofness from others-her superior
Ity, SO openly deplorsd.
1t was his housekeeper who forced
the subject upon him. Her COM
Plainings, he discovered, were now
echoed on all sides.
Miss Winters hasn't got any use
for Eldridge folks" the old woman
told him, except you, because you've
been TO college and have money. She
don't call on the regular people here.
or ask 'em to call ON her. Not even
Mrs. DR.. Wells, or the bankers wife
And folks do say, they wonder whs o.
earth would be good enough to be 4
friend Of hers"
Brusquely, because his heart was
full, Philip put the matter before Fay
that very evening. Though hs had net
openly voiced his lsve for her. he
knew that the knowledge must be
hers.
"Why," he regretted. "de you make
no friends among the women here.
Fay? Is it because" the bitterness
Of disappointment brought contempt
to his tones-"because there 10 no one
h.
people?"
In SURPRISE she regarded him. when
she replied. her veles sounded celdly.
You are right" she agreed, zone
should be sure that q real friend IN
good enough-ene Of the best people"
Her insinuaticn angered him; he
took his hat and left. II was humili-
ating that the tow 'elk should be
correct in their judgme.. Of the wom-
an he loved-they. the cruelty, criti-
cal and slurring. She did Rst send
for him, and because he felt that he
owed her an apology which he could
not give. Philip Laidlew stayed--suf-
feringly-away. His effice assistant
later volunteered information.
"The danes are chattering again."
that young man said. "They are hor-
rified now over Miss Winters new
friendship. Day after day she goes
down to May Worth's with her books
or her sewing. Day after day the two
Young women are seen together.
Such a contrast, you know, Mr.. Laid
low, SO stunningly unexpected. But
don't blame Miss Winters; the ac-
cepted set of Eldridge are 4 narrow,
specializing lot; taken together or
singly. know EN-"
Wondering unavoidably. Philip was
IN his feet.
'Tell me-" he demanded, where does
his Worth girl live"
And the clerk told him. Philip had
iifficulty finding his way there, the
house was 50 small and unobtrusive:
for lack Of paint, 80 hidden by twist
ed old trees from the roadway. But
Fay Winters was with her chosen
friend.
The friend sat--a neatly shabby lit
tie creature-in an inexpensive kayly
hi - IL