Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-12-31
elieved to see her patroness approach

relieved to see her patroness approach ing. i@ y,
 Let 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. T expect you two to get on famously together"
 Ralph extended his hand with will ing cordiality, but Zephine stood trans fixed with astonishment. At last she looked at Mrs. Maxwell appealingly.
 T thought he was little boy" she gasped helplessly. VI
 The explanations that followed were chaotic at best. Mrs. Maxwell sup posed, of course, that Zephine knew of her son, Ralph Maxwell, the artist, the popular portrait painter of children and modern madonnas. Why, had she not mentioned especially how he painted all women with red hair? That is why she had thought it would give him particular pleasure to have the third member of their party pos sess this distinctive mark of beauty
 And as for Ralph-why, he himself had been entirely ignorant of the whole plot until that very morning, when his mother had revealed 1t to him, telling him with boundless enthu- siasm that she had asked Miss Holli- day, charming young woman, to ac- company them on their trip so that he would have some one to share his art enthusiasm with and to join him i'll his tireless jaunts in search of pic turesque children to pose for him.
 While this rapid fire of elucidation was going on Zephine looked from one to the other in her effort to compre- bend the situation. Finally she burst out laughing-a trifle hysterical per haps-but still 1t was the vivacious Ze- phine coming to her rescue.
 Mrs. Maxwell sighed and smiled all at once. & .-,. .. r"
 "Oh, I'm so glad we all understand each other now. And know we're going to be the best of friends
 With this optimistic. assertion she turned to greet an old acquaintance. And so you thought Ifwas kid," laughed Ralph, looking at Zephine with undisguised admiration. well, Tam nfetty much of one. You'll have to take me in hand just the same. I may not mind promptly some times, but that will be because I'm oblivious to everything save the glory of your hair"
 "It's dyed. I did it to get the job," replied Zephine, as she turned and left the young man staring blankly after her.
 On the last day out Zephine sat curl ed up comfortably in her steamer chair, pretending to read. Ralph sat not far off sketching her, as she very well knew.
 "When we get settled in the studio I shall make portrait of you, Miss Holliday-that is, if you are willing"
 "Then I shall be both a dyed and painted lady" she laughed teasingly, "an irresistible combination"
 Ralph made no reply, but gazed at her so steadily that at last Zephine was compelled to raise her eyes.
 q could love you in spite Of either," was the unexpected declaration that he made in response to her question ing glance, "but fortunately I'm not put to the test. All the dyes in the world couldn't produce the matchless and beauty of your hair, dear. Why did you try to deceive me, 
 Were you deceived:" -''-
 "For a day or two, because you shocked me into it. You haven't told me why yet"
 "Oh, because you annoyed me that very first day by making love to my hair. Everybody does. It's my rival, and IT wanted you to make love to me-"
 And didn't do it the very next day" ..
 Zephine looked at him indulgently.
 "Yes, and every day since. You're every bit the incorrigible boy I imagin- ed you.' e..
 "Only this incorrigible boy is in love with his teacher" answered Ralph, stealing hold of her warm little hand 1 beneath the steamer rug. .a 1