Baxter Springs news., 1917-10-18
MUMPS cUPID'S AID
By SUSAN Z. cLAoETT.

II cannot understand your reason.
ing. / am not a child to follow blindly
where you would lead. There must be
some better argument than any you've
made yet before I give mp . purpose
that means 20 much to me-"
But Helen" ..o
The girl flared around TpOn him, her
eyes flashing; Jet she spoke quietly.
1T u useless, Dick. : / hAvs looked
forward to such q trip since I was .
child Of twelve. ! never imagined II
possibility and I consider myself for
tunats to be Included among the guests
Of the Neria. know that Il win be q
costly Trip, but can think Of no better
way Of putting the money 10 uSe!"
IL Il weren't for the people you are
going with" he said absently, looking
at her with . full appreciation Of her
personality. They are not your sort
too newly rich-and vulgar"
swell, my wealth IL newly acquired,
TOO" she retorted, yet I doubt II you
would apply that ugly word to me-"
Dick replied gravely, The money is'
as you well know, my last thought
What troubles me II that in your new
character OF an independent woman
you are slipping away from me-"
She faced him open-eyed, then
rurned abruptly toward the window. II
was some minutes before she remarked
irrelevantly:
II have not told yOu. Dick, that i
l." She hesltated- Then the words
came with Q rush.
Il have promised Perry Olcott 70
marry him when / return"
Richard Grahame laughed tribe un-
steadily, but the reply 10 his an
uouncement was the unexpected one.
Il think not, Helen. will prevent
that"
"How?" she asked curiOusly.
1T seems TO be the hour for conn
dences," he said. u have q little one
Of my own TO make. hope II will
please you. have accepted Mrs. War
hurton's invitation"
"A queer decision. when you consider
your attitude Of mind toward the newly
rich" abe replied. II presume you
think you viii have unusual advan-
RACES for espionage on board the
yacht"
"Not at all. Like yourself, have
always hoped for such q trip. A 70
my dissertation upon the newly rich. II
was merely . family discussion be-
tween two. The puzzle to me In how
you made their acquaintance"
'The usual way" abe said carelessly'
~At the PhIlippse lawn fete, I believe
But I honestly IKE Ceily Warburton'
even r. she II not 10 the manner born"
what Q loyal soul your are, Helen
But we are drifting away from the
trip, which is the main issue. You
don't seem happy over the fact that
will be q guest on board the Neris. I'm
sorry. had hoped you would be In
terested."
"When I know that espionage has
much 70 do with IT,"
"What cats the best Of women can
ber Dick Grahaine answered with q
laugh.
my dear Dick, do yOu think that
will stand quietly by and let my vefy
best cousin become interested In q
mere bundle Of fashionable clOthesi
Why, would rather marry you my
SELF" She stopped, appalled, BY what
she had said. n forgot" abe ended
hurriedly.
what was 1t You forgotP The en-
gagement you mentioned q while agoI
l wouldn't bother about that, Helen
II IL 40 good a. broken already"
The Neris was to leave her anchor
age In the Potomac the middle Of Jan
uary. A few days before she sailed
there was q frantic ringing Of Richard
Grahame's telephone.
There was no answer for long ume'
then came q mu6ied voice she did not
recognize, and she asked again for
Dick.
. Her eyes opened wide at the answer
"For heavens sakei Mumps? On
both SIdesP What . sight You must
bel" She tried to keep the laughter
from her voice. 'Tm sorry, Dick. and
the Neris sails on Wednesday. What
on earth will You dof VIII You be
well enoughf NOT And yOu win miss
seeing the moon shine upon ruined
Thebes with Edith Schuylerf Don't
be malicious2 I'm not. I'm sorry.
Sounds like 1T Laughing at your dis
appointment OF course not. How In
the world did you catch themf You
don't know1 / wonder. wonder
Dick, did you kiss anyone when you
were here lastH Dollyf Then that ex'
plains II. The dear child has given
them to me, too. You are laughing
Won brute! For that I will not tell
you a piece Of news. No. Wei, then,
II you really want TO hear II, I sent
my engagement ring back this morn
inE. You win give me anotheri What
a dear! That was what ! was hcpinS
you would do when ! called you ~.
(copyright. 1911. blythe Ncc1urO NSwErA-
peF gyn6icAto)