The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1908-05-21
Her Titan
Rival.
BY MARTHA COBB SANFORD.
Copyrighted, 1907, by Homer sprague.


art to accompany mother and son
abroad. Must have red hair"
"well, of all thingsp' exclaimed
Zephine Holiday. what funny ad-
vertisement, and If 1t doesn't hit me
off to T."
She read 1t over again. as If to con-
vince herself that 1t was really not an
optical Illusion. Then she settled down
to think 1t 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 distant
western city. where she had accepted
the position of teacher of everything
from elementary arithmetic, which she
despised, to the history of art, which
she loved, but had no particular desire
to try to make a lot of gigging young
girls love with an equal ardor.
Still there seemed nothing else to do
now that the college course was over,
family exchequer.
"Pll answer that ad. in person."
Zephine announced to the trunk,
whose expansive yawn indicated ex-
pressively its amazement. "A kinder.
garten of one somehow sounds more
attractive than boarding school full
Of scatter Drained girls, especially
H. tI, f,i,,
thrown in."
When Zephine rang the Maxwell bell
that afternoon at the address given in
the advertisement, she looked captivat-
ing enough to adorn any European
party, no matter how fastidious its
constituents. Her smart little autumn
hat and her trig tailor costume both
toned in harmonious!y with the gold
bronze Of her hair that blew about CO.
quettishiy in the stirring breeze.
After sending up her card Zephine,
with half conscious sigh of apprecia-
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 unde-
niably motherly.
you came in answer to my adver-
tisement in the morning paper" she
asked. Her sweet naturalness quite
banished all Zephine's embarrassment.
"Yes. IL thought l would like to
know more about it," the girl answer
ed cautiously.
You are fond of art, Miss Holiday
do you paint?"
'I'm not an artist, If that is what
lures and paint little for my own
amusement. Do you wish me to teach
your son how to paint, Mrs. Maxwell?
Pm afraid"-
"Oh, no. indeed; just help him out a
bit now and shen with a suggestion.
He likes to have his own way about
doing things. only he needs some one
who is in sympathy with his little fads
and fancies. You like children, do you
not, Miss Holiday? OF course that is
Il can't live without them" Zephine
replied with glow ing enthusiasm. (And
how could she? If it We're not for chill
dren her chances Of earning a liveli
hood would be small indeedD
"If you are vivacious, l do not need
to ask" commented Mrs. Maxwell,
glancing at Zephine with genuine ap-
proval. Il like to have Ralph have
lively companionship. He's so stirring
He leads me altogether too
merry chase"
But why is red hair essential?"
lephine finally plucked up sufficient
to inquire, at the same time
bewitchingly.
Mrs. Maxwell laughed softly.
"Oh, that's Just to satisfy one Of
Ralph's whims. He's 50 cranky since
he got over his long illness, poor boy,
that we do all we can to please him
In every little way. And he simply
lotes on red hair. Why, he always
paints women with red hair, and last
when we We're selecting
loll for little girl friend Of his, he
Insisted on her having red hair"
Zephine joined in the laugh and al
most forgot her misgivings over the
prospect of her handling this cranky"
and evidently spoiled son of an over
fond mother, who frankly acknowledge
,d that she couldn't handle him her
self.
When the arrangements We're finally
concluded Zephine walked home in a
laze. She brought herself back to
l telegram to the distant boarding
school, which she would never enlight-
IN with her funds OF knowledge after
Ill
We'll" she Announced to the hospi-
able trunk. which still gaped In as
when she returned, ''it's
ucky my clothes are all In order,
Think of it, We start for Europe. old
runk, day after tomorrow, you and /
aud Ralph and Ralph's mother" she
added in a suhdued anticlimax. 81
wish Ill seen the kid. | know he's In
,orrigi,ole."
The day for sailing was ideally fair
Mrs. Maxwell met Zephine at the
steamer and accompanied her to her
establishing herself COM
'ortably there with much motherly
linduess.
After the farewells are over you
md Ralplr must get acquainted" she
said, Fastening back to the deck.
Zephine herself had a few goodbys
o wave, Indeed, she was central