The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-11-15
The EVENING STORY
Her Titian Rival.
(By Martha Cobb Sanford.

WduLeQ. IA LdlSul0Q anu NlfdCAO0S
young woman, fond of children and OF
art, to accompany mother and son
abroad. Must have red hair
well, of all thingsv' exclaimed Zeph-
inc Holiday, what a funny advertise
ment. and If it doesn't hit me off to
T."
She read it over again, as if to con-
vince herself that it was really not an
optical illusion. Then she settled down
to think it over"
A large half-packed trunk stood open
before her and about her, on table,
chairs and floor, were piled all her
worldly accessories. For Zephine was
to start the next day for a distant west
ern city, where she had accepted the
position Of teacher Of everything from
elementary arithmetic. which she des-
pissed, to the history of art, which she
loved, but had no particular desire to
try to make a lot of giggling young
girls love with an equal ardor.
Still, there seemed nothing else to do,
now that the college course was over
and there were no surplus funds in the
family excheQuer.
Zephine announced to the trunk, whose
expansive yawn indicated expressively
its amazeInent. "a kindergarten of one
somehow sounds more attractive than
a boarding school full Of scatter-bra1n-
ed girls, especially when it has with 1t
a trip to Europe thrown in"
When Zephine rang the Maxwell
bell that afternoon at the address given
in the advertisement, she looked cap
tivating enough to adorn any European
party, no matter how fastidious It's con-
stituents. Her smart little autumn hat
and her trig tailor costume all toned III
tremendously with the gold-bronze or
her hair that blew about coquett1shly
in the stirring breeze.
After sending UP her card, Zephine,
with a half-conscious sigh of apprecla-
ton, sank down into the cushioned
depths of a luxurious easy chair TO
await the presence of the mysterious
mother When the latter entered the
drawing room, Zephine gazed upon her
with frank admiration. She was state
ly and beautiful and, above all, undenl-
ably motherly.
tisement in the morning paperT Sne
asked. Her sweet naturalness quite
banished all Zephine's embarrassment.
Eyes. Il thought I would like TO
know more about it," the girl answered
cautiously.
do you paint?"
"G,m not an artist. If that is what
YOU mean,~but am very iona OF PIc
lures and paint little Tor my owLi
amusement. Do you wish me 10 tea &C !. q
YOUR son how to paint, Mrs. MaA"eh
"Oh. no indeed, just help him out
bit now and then with suggestioii:.
He likes to have his own way aDout
doing things only ne ,t hee his 1ittie fads
and fancies. You like chlldren. 90
You not. Miss Holiday? OF course
that is essential"
II can't live without them" zephine
raplied with glowing enthusiasm.
(And how could she? If 1t were no.
ror children her chances of earning a
livelihood would be small indeed.)
"If you are vivacious. do not need
to ask" commented Mrs. Maxwell
plancing at Zephine with genuine ap-
5rn,,aI 1T like to have Ralph have
EyeIy companionship. He's so stlrrlng
himself. He leads me altogether TOO
merry chase"
s.But why is red hair essennaI
courage to inquire. at the same time
blushing bewitchingly-
Mrs. Maxwell laughed softly.
ooh, that's just to satisfy one OF
Ralph's whims. He's SO cranky since
he got over his long illness, poor BOY,
thaf we do all we can to please him, in
ex-erv little way And he simply dotes
on red hair Why, he always paints
women with red hair. and last CHRIST
mas. when we were selectlng doii
for a little girl friend or a ms "e III
Zenhine Joined in the laugh and al
most forgot her misgivings over the
nrospect of her handling TINS
"cranky'' and evidently spoiled son OF
an over-fond mother. who frankly
acknowledged that sne couloh
handle him herself.
When the arrangements were maj
ly concluded, Zephine Walked nouns IN
a daze. She brought herself PACK 70
raa1itv long enough, however, to send
a telegram to the distant boarding
school which she would never enllgnt-
en- with her funds of knowledge after
all
pitable trunk. which still gaped In
astonishment when she returned. its
lucky my clothes are all in oroer:
Think of it, we start for Europe, old
trunk, day after tomorrow, you ana L
and Ralph and Ralph,s motner q,
wish ia seen the kid. I know he's
incorrigible,"
Mrs. Maxwell met Zephine at the
steamer and accompanied her 10 ner
stateroom, establishing herself com
fortably there with mucn Hotneliy
latter the farewells are over, You
and Ralph must get acquainted" she
said Fastening back to the deck.
Zephine herself had few goodbys
TO wave Indeed, she was central
figure of attraction, as she stood at the
rail of the steamer waving her nand-
kerchief gayly-a1l unconscious of her
picturesoueness, as the sun crept under
fine brirn of her hat and made a bright
glory of her hair.
"By George, isn't she sumner"
Zephine could not help hear young
man near her exclaim.
She blushed with confusion, and was
relieved to see her patronness approach
ing.
sLet me introduce my. son Ralph"
Mrs. Maxwell said, proudly, laying her
hand on the arm of the young man
who had just complimented Zephine so
spontaneously. IT expect you two TO
get on famously together"
Ralph extended his hand with willing