The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1922-03-10
BEST PEOPLE
BY MILDRED WHITE

had heretofore failed 70 Interest. AL
most, he had given up the shy hope of
marriage, and a mate who would sat
isfy his heart, when he beheld Fay
Winters.
Fay had come back to the small
town after an absence since young
g!rlhood, 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 backw Phil
ips 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
Eldridge!" exclaimed Philips house
keeper. "Well, think of that, after
all her travel anG 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 girl. Her rich aunt brought
Fay up when she was left an orphan /;
/ and now she's left her all her money"
So Philip Laldlaw formed his mag
mary picture of the newcomers char
acter. She was a snob, no doubt, and
not an acquaintance to he 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 deplorc1
It was his hOusekeeper who forced
the subject upon him. Her COM
plainings, he discovered, were now
echoed on all sides.
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 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 he
hers.
why" he regretted. "do you make
no friends among the women here
Fay? Is it because" the bitterness
Of disappointment brought contempt
to his tOnes-"becauSe there is no one
good enOugh-even among the best
peOple?"
In surprise, she regarded him. When
she replied. her voice sounded coldly.
You are right" she agreed. zone
should he sure that real friend Is
good enOugh-one of the best people"
Her insinuation angered him; he
took his hat and left. It was humii-
ating that the town folk should he
correct in their judgment of the wom-
an he loved-they, the cruelty, criti-
cal and sluwiug. She did not send
for him. and because he felt that he
owed her an apology which he could
not give, Philip Laidlow stayed-suf-
feringly-away. His Office assistant
later volunteered Information.
THE danes are chattering again."
that young man said. "They are hor-
ritied 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 Eldridge are a narrow
specializing lot; taken together or
singly. | know 'em."
Wondering unavoidably, Philip was
on his feet.
'Tell me-" he demanded, "where does
this Worth girl live-?"
And the clerk told him. Philip had
difficulty finding his way there the
house was so small and unObtrusive:
for lack of paint, so 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-ln 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 Laidlow