Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1913-08-28
STRENUOUS WOOING
But With the Assistance Of Cap
sized Boat He Won
the Girl.
BY LOUIS oLNEN.

When he called for Patricia some
thing In her face told her that her
time OF reckoning had come. Vane
Harris was the sort that will be dan
gled Just about so long. but no longer.
and she knew that even for her she
carried matters with high hand. She
carefully began by extolling the per-
tectly worthy weather. Patricia had
instincts.
The lake is lovely. isn't it?" she
remarked as they stroIled to the little
dock. smooth and clear. and it's not
too warm. A canoe Is just right to-
day" She looked at him sidewise-
hts dark face was a bit grim. but
he smiled.
He knew that Lawrence Patterson
the only rival he really feared. had
Just returned from the west and was
ut this moment searching for Patricia.
Yes" he conceded. the canoe, the
lake. the day-and you-seemed the
right combination. That's why !
wickedly cut committing to the office
and came for you. It's luck to have
found you" She also gave a little
grin. She had come partly to suit
herself partly because she had lately
tormented him as far as she dared.
but mostly to discipline. Ted Barnard
who was becoming too importunate
and whom she had left on the veran-
ia unconsoled by her younger sister.
We must be back early" she in
formed him. 81 am due at Mrs. Forbes
for luncheon. There Is new man
she won't say who. l am supposed
70 make things interesting for the
newcomer"
Vane silently helped her to her
seat and then knelt facing her, Indian
fashion, with his one paddle. He was
tall and well-knlt, bareheaded with
the wind blowing his heavy, dark
hair. He looked fondly at Patricia,
in her cream fannels. her hair glory
in the morning sun.
IT guess you know how TO make
things interesting for a man-when
you choose" he answered. but with
nut malice. 81 should know that"
what do you mean?" she queried.
Experience teaches,'" he said. at
length, that Miss Patricia Carey
aOmehow makes q MAI aware OF her
presence. When are you going to
marry me-" He demanded abruptly.
n had never before asked her out
right. Now his tone didn't suit her
T don't fancy the threat in your
voice. haven't said that I would
marry you at ALL" She trailed one
hand In the water. carefully looking
away from him. All at once he
stopped padding.
The threat" he spoke drily. rs
Intentional. You have trailed me.
more or less willing victim, for
year now. At first l was not sure
that WANTED you" She gasped at
his impudent frankness. THE reason
why I thought might not want you
was that you have never lived In a
real home. When I marry l want
woman who will make a real home.
can give her everything a man can
give toward making one. mean
that your people died and left you
and, you poor little thing. you have
been passed about from aunt to aunt
and badly spoiled. Don't be angry
lust hear me out. But began to see
that your instincts are true and fine
and right, and that all you needed
was a chance. You are very domestic.
hut you don't know 1t yet"
Thank you she interrupted her
eyes wide with angry astonishment'
and an angrier consciousness that he
was speaking the truth. He went
quietly ahead with his personal re-
.cording Of fact.
81 decided that in San Francisco aft
er / had known you three months.
For the six months thereafter, by let
ter when not in person, I endeavored
to make you love me. came to my
own conclusions. which were-that
Won either loved me or you didn't,
and that in either case you were a
perfectly sklIful coquette. So the last
three months I have rather rested
on my oars to see how far you would
lead on Ted Barnard. and a half
dozen others none Of whom you care
a rap fort"
'Tn-deed!" She calculated, while ne
took the paddle again and turned the
boat 30 that the sun would be out OF
his eyes and full In hers. not q gal
liant proceeding. but useful In his
atudy of her eloquent little counten-
ance. you are quite clairvoyant."
"only-observant-and reflective,
patricia. No other man-except Law
renee PattersOn-has really troubled
me for a moment Do you care Tor
him."
She looked her scorn Of the CUES
tion when he asks me that, shall
do as 1 like about answering. As for
vou-I don't think care much about
This trip with you. didn't come out
~ he bullied. You may take me back.
Aunt Margaret is quite right should
i ne more careful and not go about I'M
cbaperoned. She win be back In q
few days now
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