The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1904-03-04
POLLY AND MAN
By
HELEN ROWLAND
IND it ever occur to you," said Polly.
regarding me from the Givan,

I'D 1t ever occur to you, said Polly,
~ regarding me from the Giyan,
"tho. you cannot catch a Gator man,
| either-by running after him?"
I stood in the middle of Polly's den,
nursing scratched finger. Under the
Givan crouched the Zig gray Maltese,
glaring at me vindicJively and glory
ing in the perfect consciousness that he
had just slipped through my fingers,
lodged between my legs and left me
bleeding with resentment.
81 thought" l remarked, slowly bind
ing up the wound with my handkerchief,
that in this strenuous age it was the
only way 50
"Only-what?" Polly held the sofa
pillow she had been about to tuck under
her head poised in mid-air
Polly dropped the pillow and sat up
perfectly straight.
Gould what, Mr.. Heavyfeather?" she
inquired Jelly.
Catch a cat-or-er." l hesitated.
"Well?" 1t was like the gentle, i'm
mutable falling of the thermometer
"Or-er," began weakly.
go ont" said Polly.
Cor car" finished adroitly.
"Oh!" Polly picked up the scarlet sofa
pillow and settled herself back in its
folds like the heart of rose in its petals
81 thought you were going tonsay 'ai
man. she said sweetly. 'As a matter
of fact she went. on, to want TO be.
chased and caught is a purely feminine
desire. Now, Tom," indicating the cat
- L. ! 81; ~.x,, ,r
culine"
His claws" l remarked, rubbing the
back of my hand, ARE feminine. The
kind they use at the women's clubs, you
know"
Feminine claws" said Polly. "gener
ally scratch you in the back. Tom, as
you observe, always strikes right at your
face. Besides, his brutality in wounGing
the hand that attempts to caress him
is exactly like a mans. The girl who
is little too fond, or littlS too ten
der, or little too cordial, is the one who
always pals On the man first and receives
the rudest sTubs. The wife who is too
carcssing cheapeps her caresses and is
the first ore to find herself neglected.
To chase a man is to brighten him, as
you brighten the cat, and to send him
running to the uttermost parts OF the
earth, as Tom runs to the uttermoSt
parts of the backyard when he is bored
with our attentions. If a cat or man
wishes to know you, he will make his
own advances He doesn't need encour-
agement. 1t is his prerogative to seek
the-introduction, not yours. Personally,
you have completely lost your prestige
with Tom and Polly sent a worsteG bail
rolling toward the Maltese, who sat
quietly cleaning his paws on a rug in
front of the fireplace.
II WISH" said, wistfully, that l had
a bone to fling at him.
What for?" said Polly.
Because l said, modify, If he is
like man. the way to his heart must be
through his stomach
"Pooh." SAID Polly. That is an old
fallacy Did any sirl ever fascinate
you by inviting you to pink teas or max
ing you WEIGH rabbits? You can get a
good cook for four dollars week, and
Tom can get all the bones he wants right
out in the kitchen" and Polly picked up
an end of the string from the worsted
ball and began pulling it gently toward
her. Besides" she went on, ''fineiIg
bone al cat is like flinging girl alta
man. 1t doesn't fascinate him. 1t
frightens him. Tom will dodge bone
just as you lodged the authenticated
Downing girl"
Il didn't" saidI.
You liked her until she began maxi
ing you sofa pillows" asserted Polly.
81 like her now" declared.
"You used to call there every night
until you found that she was always
waiting for you in the drawing-roCm-"
ct would call there every night now
(Polly looked up quickly If I hadn't
met"
'.And you thought you were going 10
marry her." went on Polly. until you
discovered that she thought SO. too"
81 would" l began
Polly almost jerked the ball OF worsted
from, under the nose OF the cat
81 would like to know what you are
pulling that string for"
Polly had recovered her equanimify,
and was slowly winding the bali OF
worsted toward her. The cat was watch
ing Il. eoyiy. but-iAscinated.