Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1911-09-21
SETTING
TRAP

"Yes," repeated Mrs. Phelps, casu
ally, from her wicker porch chair. She
shot fieeting glance as she spoke al
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 unconsclously, but one
would have forgiven her anyhow, she
was so pretty. Yes. he's a woman
hater.
mot that any one has blighted his
young life," she went on, but, you
see, DR.. Harper IL 30 devoted to his
work that he has had no time for
frivolities. He thinks women merely
nonessentials, nulsances and obstruc'
tons on the pathway to the serious
things that really count. I suppose
that's why he's had time to achieve 30
much. He Just runs from women
politely, Of course. He doesn't under
stand them and IL absolutely proof
against their Vaccinations! It's too
bad he should be coming today. l
wish It we're some one who would be
congenial to you!"
"0h!" said Miss McHammond in q
careful tone. She readjusted q lock
Of her hair and looked absently at tho
climbing roses. There was q faint
smile on her lips. How odd! don't
think I ever met any one quite like
that"
And you've met a plentyi" said her
hostess. severely. why on earth you
don't pick one out and marry him
81 get tired Of emf" oonhded Miss
McHammond, frankly.
As the Phelps machine turned into
the drive Tom Phelps was explaining
to the guest he had met at the station.
"Hls 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 q man hater,
but she doesn't care about them. She's
got so used to refusing proposals that
I believe she's going to get printed
rejection slip to facilitate these little
mattersl"
"Tommyrotl" said Dr.. Harper. cheer
fully. ITS 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-
Judgements 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
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 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 unfailing courtesy she
felt that she did not disturb, attract
or annoy him in the least.
DR.. Harper, who disapproved Of
Miss McHammond on general princi-
pies, did not avoid her. Rather, he
sought her society. He was merely |
seeking, he told himself. to flnd other
disagreeable traits besides conceit and
frivolity 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 were happily |
rummaging about getting up q late
supper. Out on the dim vine-shaded
porch the other two sat silent, watch
ing the pickering 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 a night like this!"
Then his hand closed over hers on
the chair arm and he spoke huskily.
Il can't help IT," he said. 1--we got
to tell you how much care for you!"
Her fingers closed over his involun.
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 a new, riotouB ring TO II
We've got too many things to talk
about out herel"
Mrs. Phelps nearly strangled her
husband, who was just helping him.
self q a hard-boiled egg. as she rushed
madly in and cast herself on his neck.
We did TT" We did FL" she gasp.
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