Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1910-07-28
SETTING A
TRAP


YES" repeated Mrs. Phelps, casu-.
ally from her wicker porch chair. She
shot a aeeting glance as she spoke at
Elsie McHammond, who was visiting
her and who had just disposed herself
in all her costly summary lace frills in
another chair, where the light fell
most becomingly upon her. Elsie did
those things unconsciously, but one
would have forgiven her anyhow, she
was so pretty. Eyes, he's a woman
hater
Not that any one has blighted his
young life," she went on, but, you
see, DR.. Harper is so devoted to his
work that he has had no time for
frivolities. He thinks women merely
nonessentiais, nuisances and obstruc-
lions on the pathway to the serious
things that really count. suppose
that's why he's had time to achieve so
much. He just runs from women
politely, of course. He doesn't under
stand them and is absolutely proof
against their fascinhtions! It's too
bad he should be coming today. I
wish it were some one who would be
congenial to you!"
"Oh!" said Miss McHammond in
careful tone. She readjusted lock
of her hair and looked absently at the
climbing roses. There was faint
smile on her lips. "How odd! l don't
think l ever met any one quite like
that"
"And you've met plenty!" said her
hostess, severely. "Why on earth you
don't pick one out and marry him"
81 get tired of 'em!" confded Miss
McHammond, frankly.
AS the Phelps machine turned into
the drive Tom Phelps was explaining
to the guest he had met at the station.
"His interest in Her Was Purely
Scientific"
Mice girl, Elsie" he said. "And pref
ty. But don't waste any time on her,
because-well, she's not man hater,
but she doesn't care about them She's
got so used to refusing proposals that
l believe she's going to get a printed
rejection Slip to facilitate these little
matters!"
"Tommyrot!" said DR.. Harper, cheer
fully Its merely feminine conceit,
not lack of INTEREST,""
Stake care that she doesn't hand
you one!" grinned his host.
The two guests thus fortified against
each other murmured their acknowl-
Judgements of the introduction and
then took stock of each other some
what hostilely.
Any woman resents an attitude of
Indifference, and lnis tall, grave man,
whom Elsie tried at first dutifully to
put at Use only to discover that he
had not been anything else but at
ease, because he was totally callous
to her compelling charm of manner,
irritated Miss McHammond AS for
Dr., Harper, his instant recognition
that Tom had told the truth about her
attractiveness alarmed him into an
added brusquer s. Had he not seen
pretty women before? Well, then, this
was merely another!
Pride forbade his avoiding her. In
dignation prevented her from doing
otherwise than trying to make him see
the folly Of his Observation-Disclosures
But beneath his unfailing courtesy she
felt that she did not disturb, attrac
or annoy him in the least.
DR.. Harper, who disapproved of
Miss cHammond on general princi-
pies, did not avoid her. Rather, he
sought her society. He was merely
seeking he told himself, to find other
disagreeable traits besides conceit and
frivolity. His interest in her was
purely scientific.
So it came to be the night baeore
she was to leave for home Indoors
Mrs. Phelps and Tom were happily
rummaging about getting up late
supper. Out on the dim vine-shaded
porch the other two eat silent, watch
ing the Pickering leaves in the moon
light. There was little bitter curve
on the girls lips as she acknowledged
that she would be glad to get away
the next day, glad to escape from this
disagreeable man who was so madden
ingly courteous.
Beside her he sat silent, smoking.
Thinking of germs." she told her
self. And on night like this!"
Then his hand closed over hers OF
the chair arm and he spoke huskily.
II can't help it," he said 1--we got
to tell you how much | care for you!"
Her fingers closed over his invelun-
tarily.
Just then Rose Phelps from the
doorway called support"
You and Tom go and eat your old
support" commanded Dr. Harper. His
voice had q new, rio.oas ring to it.
We've got too many things to talk
about ont here"
Mrs. Phelps nearly strangled her
husband, who WIS just helping him
self a hard-boiled egg. as she rushed
| uadly in and cast herself on his neck.
We did it," We did it!@ she gasp
ed. Il knew if we told them 10 pre-
pare 10 hate each other they'd fall in