Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1911-06-22
SETTING
TRAP

Eyes," repeated Mrs. Phelps, casu'
ally, from her wicker porch chair. She
shot q fieeting 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 q woman
hater.
mot 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
nonessentials. nuisances and obstruc'
lions on the pathway to the serious
things that really count. suppose
that's why he's had time to achieve 90
much. He Just runs from women
politely, of course. He doesn't under.
stand them and is absolutely proof
against their fascinatlonsl It's too
bad he should be coming today. I
wish II we're some one who would be
congeninl to you'll"
"Oh!" said Miss McHammond in q
careful tone. She readjusted q lock
OF her hair and looked absently ut tho
climbing roses. There was Q faint
smile on her lips. How odd! 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"
II get tired Of 'em!" conhded 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"
Nice girl. Elsie." he said. And prot
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
believe she's going to get a printed
rejection slip to facilitate these little
matters!"
"Tommyrot!" said DR.. Harper, cheer
fully. IT'S merely feminine conceit.
not lack of INTEREST,""
Take care that she doesn't hand
you one!" grinned his host.
The two guests thus fortified against
each other murmured their acknowl.
edgements Of the introduction and
then took stock Of each other some
what hostilely.
Any woman resents an attitude Of
Indifference, and this tall, grave man,
whom Elsie tried at first dutifully to
put at ease only to discover that he
had not been anything else but at
ease, because he was totally callouS
10 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 brusQueness. 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 unfalling courtesy she
felt that she did not disturb. attract
or annoy him in the least.
DR.. Harper, who dlsapproved Of
Miss McHammond on general princl-
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
friyollty. His interest In her was
purely scientific.
So It came TO be the night before
she was to leave for home. Indoors
Mrs. Phelps and Tom we're happily
rummaging about getting up q late
supper. Out on the dim vine-shaded
porch the other two sat silent, watch
ing the fiickering leaves In the moon
light. There was a 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 30 madden
ingly courteous.
Beside her he sat silent, smoking.
Thinking Of germs!" she told her. :
self. "And on q night like this!"
Then his hand closed over hers on
the chair arm and he spoke huskily.
81 can't help IT," he said. 1--we got
to tell you how much I care for you'll"
Her fingers closed over his invOlun.
tarily. 4
Just then Rose Phelps from the
doorway called support"
you and Tom go and eat your old
support" commanded DR.. Harper. His
voice had a new, riotouS ring TO II