The Washington herald., 1908-02-05

Ralph must get acquainted she said
fastening back TO the deck
ZepAlne herself had "a few goOd-bys TO
wave Indeed she was a central figure
Of attraction as she stood 90 the rail Of
the steamer waving her handkerchief
gayly-all unconscious OF her picturesque
ness as the sun crept under the brim of
her hat and made "a bright glory OF her
hair
BY George. isn't she a sumner" Zeph-
inc could not help hear a young man near
her exclaim.
She biushed with confusion. and was re-
Aeyed to see her patr0ness approaching.
Let me introduce my son. Ralph" Mrs
Maxwell said, proudly, laying her hand
on the arm of the young man who had
Just c0mplimented Zephine so spontane-
ously. i expect you two 10 get on Ia
mousiy together"
Ralph extended his hand with willing
c0rdiality, but ZaphiHe stood transfxcd
with establishment At last she looked 81
Mrs Maxwell appealingly.
Il thought he was "A little boy" she
Casped helplessIv
The explanations that followed were
chaotic at best Mrs Maxwell supposed.
OF course. that Zephine knew Of her son.
Ralph Maxwell the artist the popular
portrait painter Of children and modern
MaLonnas. Why. had she not mentioned
especially how De painted all women with
red hair? That is why she had thought
&c would give him particular pleasure %
have the third member Of their party pos
sess this distinctive mark Of beauty
And as for Ralph-whv, he himself had
been entirely ignorant Of the whole plot
until that very morning. when his mother
had revealed il 90 him. telling him with
bOuuGiess enthusiasm that she had asked
Miss Holiday. d charming young woman.
to accompany them on their trip, SO that
he would have some one TO share his art
enthusiasm with and 60 join him IN his
tireless jaunts in search Of picturesque
children TO pose for him.
While this rapid fire Of elucidati0u was
going on Zephiue looked from one 10 the
other iG her effort % comprehend the sit
uatiOn. Finally she burst out laughing
triie hysterical perhaps, but still IL was
the viyacious ZepLiuc coming TO her res
cue.
Mrs Maxwell sighed and smiled all at
once.
oh, I'm so glad we all understand each
other now. And I know were going 10
be the best Of friends"
With this optimistic assertion she
turned to greet an old acquaintance
And so you thought I was a kid"
laughed Ralph. looking az Zephine with
undisguised admiration Well. am
pretty much of q one. You'll have 20
take me in hand just the same. I may
not mind promptly sometimes, but that
viii be because I'm oblivious 10 every
thing save the glory of your hair"
It's dyed, I did Il TO get the job" re-
piled Zephiae. Jelly. as she turned and left
the young man staring blankly after her
On the lasr day out Zephlne sat curled
up comfortably in her steamer chair, pre-
tending 10 read. Ralph sat not far of,
sketching her, as she very well knew.
when We set settled in the studio I
shall make a portrait of you Miss HolI-
day, That IS. If you are willing
Then l shall be both a dyed and paint
ed lady" she laughed, teasingly. AN IT.
resistlble combination"
Ralph made no reply, but gazed at her
so steadily that at last Zephine was com.
PEELED to raise her eyes.
Il could love you in spite Of either"
was the unexpected declaration that he
made in response to her questioning
glance: but fortunately, I'm not put
10 the test All the dyes in the world
couldn't produce the matchless brightness
and beauty of your hair, dear Why did
you try to deceive me, Zephlne?"
Were you deceived?"
For a day or two. because you shocked
me into il. 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 II
wanted you TO make love to me-"
And didn't I do il. the very next day?'
Zephine looked at him indulgently
yes, and every day since. You're every
bit the incOrrigible boy I imagined you"
only this inCOrrigible boy IS In love
with his teacher" answered Ralph, steal
ing hold of her warm little hand beneath
the steamer rug.