Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1922-05-12
BEST PEOPLE
BY MILDRED WHITE

Copyright lSss western Newspaper Union,
Philip Laldlaw was bitterly dIsap-
pointed In q 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
lsfy his heart, when he beheld 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 lingering glance as she
came through the lighted doorway Of
the towns best store.
perhaps, after ALL" said his mans
hopeful heart, 'thls happy young
woman may not be all that the towns
people say" For her return had long
been heralded.
"Fay Winters coming backp Phil
Ip's landlady said. swell, what pos
sessed her, wonder, to come to the
town that wasn't good enough for her
years agoT
FAY Winters coming back to
Eldrldge" exclaimed Philips house
keeper. swell, think Of that, after
oil her travel and college training.
Won't be nobody good enough for her
to associate with. l remember her;
she was nothing but a proud, pretty
slip Of a 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 mag
mary picture of the newcomers char
acter. She was a snob, no doubt, and
not an acquaintance to be cultivated.
But after his second lingering gaze
into the young woman's sweetly at
tractive countenance, Philip had mar
velously changed his opinion.
Either the girl had altered with
years. or her former neighbors Sian
dered her; and after repeated eve
nings In Fay's pleasant society, the
hope Of marriage came joyously, thrill
ingly at last to Philip.
Here was the woman of whom he
had dreamed, and despaired Of find
Ing. And secretly yearning, as months
passed by Philip decided, almost, TO
make his plea. Then came his great
disappointment. In her charm for
him, and her graciOusness, Philip over
looked the indisputable fact OF Fay's
aloOfness from others-her superior
ity, so openly deplored.
1t was his housekeeper who forced
tho cnhf0nt
plainlngs, 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. DIR. Wells, or the bankers wife.
And folks do say, they wonder who on
earth would be good enough to be a
friend of hers"
Brusquely, because his heart was
full, Philip put the matter before Fay
that very evening. Though he had not
openly voiced his love for her, he
knew that the knowledge must be
hers.
"Why," he regretted, do you make
no friends among the women here,
Fay2 Is II because" the bitterness
Of disappointment brought contempt
to his tOnes-"becaus there Is no one
good enOugh-even among the best
peopleT
In surprise, she regarded him. When
she replied. her voice sounded coldly.
"You are right" she agreed, zone
should be sure that real friend Is
good enough-one of the best people"
Her insinuati0n angered him; he
took his hat and left. 1t was humili-
ating that the town folk should be
correct In their judgment of the WON.
an he loved-they, the cruelty, crit.
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 Office assistant
later volunteered information.
"The danes are chattering again"
that young man said. "They are hor-
rifed 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 &C.
cepted set Of Eldrldge are narrow,
specializing lot; taken together or
singly. know EN-"
Wondering unavoldably, Philip was
on his feet.
"Tell me-" he demanded, where does
this Worth girl llve-T
And the clerk told him. Philip had
difficulty finding his way there, the
house was so small and un0btruslve;
for lack Of paint, so hidden by twist.
ed old trees from the roadway. But
Fay Winters twas with her chosen
friend.
The friend sat-a neatly shabby 1T
tie creature-in an inexpensive gayly
covered chair. The CHEEKY light from
an open stove shone on the two girls
faces. What had been the topic Of
their conversation, Philip Laldlow
could not know but II was evident
that neither ungenerOus criticism nor
unklndIy surmlse had left that soft
glow Of sympathy In the young WON
ems eyes or touched their lips with
gentleness.
II want you to meet my friend, May
Worth" Fay said proudly. To him,
alone, she added, "nnd she Is good
friend-one Of the best people"
Az Philip Lnidlaw clasped the hand
Of the woman he loved, as his eyes mel
hers, true understanding came TO him.
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