The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1913-09-25
She Set a Trap
For Him
By F. A. Mitchell

to q suburban residence. His sum-
mons at the front door was answered
by maid in q white uniform, trimmed
far more elaborately than is usual for
servants. Indeed, had it not been for
the cap on her head he would not have
taken her for such.
"Is Miss Milford at homer
"No, sir; she's not She's gone to
the city"
That's too bad. I've come a long
distance to see her" The gentleman
seemed much put out He stood think
ing what he would do next.
beg pardon, sir. Are you Mr.. Fitz
Hugh?'
"YeS''
please come in. Miss Mulford left
a message for you"
Mr.. Fitz Hugh entered the house,
and the maid showed him into a very
pleasant reception room. On a table
he found a note addressed to him. 1t
read:
My attorney has advised me that you
will visit me for conference upon the set
tlement Of our interests in the Ormsby
estate in the hope that We may come to
an agreement whereby filtration may be
avoided l have been called away today
and have instructed my maid to keep you
till my return this evening Annie will
provide you with whatever will enable
you to pass the time so far as she can.
The maid stood by demurely waiting
while the gentleman read the note.
When he had finished he looked up at
her admiringly and said:
Miss Mulford assures me that you
will do what you can to keep me till
her return. The way for you to do
that is not to give me books to read
or pictures to look at, but to entertain
me yourself"
How could l do that, sir" protested
the girl. you being an educated gentle
man and l only lady's maidT
"You can do it better than the lady
herself Heaven protect me from these
Intellectual women They know just
enough about subject to show their
want Of depth and think all the while
that they are showing their brains.
In my opinion woman is intended for
motherhood nn6 hrs no business with
IDEAS
"Oh, sir, you're very hard on us poor
women"
Not on your kind-on women who
know everything. Doubtless If you
had left Miss Mulford to entertain
me she would have bored ME with a
lot of opinions that would interest no
one but herself"
J-;, of f,v 5o0 S''
ITO me amiability and beauty are
the only requisite traits"
"Then you don't care for smart wo-
men at alp
81 don't wish one of them to come
near me-"
"NOt even q woman who Is capable
of taking care of her business affairs
Miss Milford wouldn't suit you. sir.
for she's all Of that"
The maid entertained MI. Fitz Hugh
during the day by listening to him
talk BY the afternoon mail came a
note from Miss Muiford asking him to
leave Il proposition with Annie since
she would be delayed in the city for
several days. He submitted a basis
for settlement, and Annie picked out
several points in it that would lead
to trouble He saw and corrected
| them at once and complimented her
on her foresight Then he left her and
returned to the city.
In a few days he received q note
from Miss Mulford that she was sorry
to give him another journey, but she
| would be pleased to have him call
again. He went, wishing that he
might find the lady again absent and
be turned over to the care of the maid
.'That girl" he said to himself, ''is just
what I'd want for wife-that is, II
| she were in the same social class with
| myself"
On reaching the house he was adj
mitted by butler, which was great
| disappointment to him. He had intend
ed to say few nice things to the maid
| before seeing her mistress. He was
! ushered into the same room as before
and in due time Annie came into the
room dressed like lady. Fitz Hugh
looked at her surprised.
.Mr Eitz Hugh,' she said, pardon
me for playing maid the other day.
desired before entering upon discus
sion with you as to business affairs
of great Importance to both OF us tc
learn what kind Of man l had 10
deal with. l found you. am happy
to say, a gentleman Of sound ideas
liberal and capable Of understanding
YOUR own interest as we'll as mine
You know that it is in your power t
deprive me Of my interest in the estate
If 90 to law. In other words. l an
at your mercy. Can you blame mt
for learning your disposition before
taking action?"
mo. 1 can't" rejoined Fitz Hugf
earnestly. II can suggest a way b!
which our interests can be made 1den
teal"
"What way7" asked the lady. drop
ping her eyes before his impassionet
gaze.
Marry me-"
II will" said Miss Mulford.
A few days later Miss Milford visit
ed her attorney.
"Well?" he asked. what nck"
i've got him."
Good! 1t was your only chance t.
save anything. How did you man
age it"
"Oh, that's little story" she replied
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