Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-24
The Ubiquitous Peter Smith

Copyright. 1906. by Jeanne olive LoizoauxD
Editha ALLYN burst into the library. Her
brotber-in-lav lifted his eyes from HE
book and indulEeutly looked her over. Her
golf clubs ratified 10 the floor. and she flung
her cap and gloves after them.
You make quite q breeze. EdithR. a very
welcome one. but you break into my story.
What lie il this time7" Dr. Kenworthy Was
leaning lszily back in q big leather chair.
Editha came petulantly across the room
and stood before him.
Morris. ] want you to look at me-csre-
fully"
why. charmed. my dear. Such a priv
leEe is seldom granted me-you don't stay
in one place long enough"
"Im fn earnest" At the impatient nash
in her gray eyes be sat up laughing.
Another victim Want me to account
for his infatuauon ."
I'm always in earnest" she went on,
ignoring his questions that's part OF the
trouble. Now look at me"
She wore a golf suit OF white duck, and
a scarlet tie. Her eyes shone, and her
dark hair clunE in moist rings about her
tanned oval face. The pose OF her small
athletic figure was distinctly rebellious.
DO ] look like a man-hater7"
"Ye powers A beauts. only IS. with an
average OF q victim a week and she wants
to know IL she looks Ike a man-hatcr7'
We'll, ! may not look it. but ] am a
man-hAter. ] despise him ] wish he was
in"
Your hesitation is more expressive than
you intend. Did you mean Halifax? And
who"
You know well enough-your precious
Peter J. Smith"
My Peter J. Smith. He doesn't follow
me. Precious, too" he unused provokingly.
Yes. yours. You imported him. ! wish
you'd left him in New York. / will say
that he's unique, anyway. There's nobody
like him-R fact that makes me thankful. 9"
EdithR nung herself on the couch.
What Hasn't he succumbed yet What
does the fellow mean? ! must really speak
to him" BdithR flushed as she inter
rupted him.
You know ] hate him. He's always in
the way. He's spoiled my afternoon. !
was going golfng witb-witb Mr.. De Kaye
and"
Well, didn't you
mo, that Smith"
"Glad Of it, Bditha. Young De Kaye has
too much money and too little TO do"
IT III 7 bhnGLAUuuuluuht huENaNF
Editha retorted. He was to meet me at
the links because ia a lot OF errHnds to do
and couldn't have him call for me. To begin
with, ! met Mr.. Peter Smith dOwn Town
and snubbed him. But when / got on the
car, Of course he had TO give me his seat
and stand up. and when the man next me
got on ne sat down by me. I hated to
take the seat and ] hated TO talk with him,
but I had TO, for the place was full OF our
set and the girls are all simply wild over
him. I can't see why. He took my clubs
in that overbearing way Of his. He acted
Rs If I'd been perfectly sweet TO him. ]
was trying not to laugh at one OF his
imbecile stories. when ! glanced up and
saw Reg-Mr. De Kaye. ! don't know
when he got on. He looked black and got
OF without coming near me. and there
was with that Smith. ! had TO play with
him all afternoon just for the looks Of it.
hen he came home with me"
He could hardly help that, could he
Nor the meeting on the carr"
Il suppose not" she admitted slowly:
everything conspires against me. II J
only knew he hated II as ! do l wouldn'i
care 30 much, but he doesn't show a sign
! detest scientists; they are 30 unfeeling
Reginald asked Alys Trent to go in his new
automobile tonight"
We'll. ! hope he'll let Alys alone"
Why, ! should like to know?" she de.
manded.
Because she's silly, and 1 don't believe
he's the real thing. IL he does make suol
Z splurge. Oh, IL I could find anything
tangible against him he shouldn't call OF
you" Bditha tossed her head.
Il can't see what's the matter with
Smith. though: he's all right" The doctor
spoke bRnteringly.
That depends on what one likes. H,
acts as IL he owned me, and still he doesn'
do a thing I can lay my ringer on. So
fare up at him on general principles, ant
lose my dignity. But the creature is onl!
amused al my attacks. It's all your fault
Morris; II he wasn't your friend, and ever.
lhstingly here, people wouldn't think W
were dying TO be left together"
Just then Mrs. Kenworthy trailed softl!
into the room in q cool, blue linen gown
She was a smaller, darker. sweeter edition
Of her sister.
What have you been doing to Edie, Nor
ris? She looks wrought up"
'T've only been expostulating with her
She's been doing what she could 10 IN
peace OF mind OF my friend Peter" tn
doctor drawled quietly. Hes only study
ing her 10 use in his next psychologists
treatise. and she insists that he's in Low
with her. and is too mean TO show it. Sh
is Cross simply because she's trying s
hard not to fall in love with him"
Let her alone, Morris. Don't be so alb
surd! You must hurry, Edie, If you ar
going 10 get TO Mrs, Vinton's in time 70
dinner. What are you going 10 wear2"
White. For 3 wonder the ~ubiquitou
Peter vii not be present. ! won't wear
where ne is because be likes il. He doesn'
D say so, but ] can tell" She LEFT the roor
D and went upstairs. Mrs. Kenworthy leRne
over RERins. her husband,
] Morris, she said.
; Rose" he mimicked. What is H.. dear
Mustn't ! tease your sister She is Z
love with Peter. No girl could help be
, Eng"
That's why you must let her Hlon'
{ Can't you see she is hghting IL: "
, mustn't seem 10 see"
Well. I'll try to be good. But vhH
! about De KHye?"
oh, that's nothing She only turns Z
him occasionally 10 get away from III
t other man, TIN rouse her chsmpionshi
10 say anything against him"
II was very hot for the middle Of Ser
TENDER, and after dinner the doctor and h