Smyrna times., 1908-02-12

Wanted, a talented and vivaciOus |
young woman fond of children and of
art to accompany mother and son
abroad. Must have red hair"
"Well. of all thingsw exclaimed
Zephine Holiday What a funny ad-
vertisement. and if it doesn't hit me
off to a 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 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 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.
I'll answer that ad. in person"
Zephine announced to the trunk,
whose expansive yawn indicated ex-
DreSSiVely it's amaZement. a kinder
garten of one somehow sounds more
attractive than Il boarding school full
of scatter Drained girls. especially
when it has with it Il trip to Europe
thrown ill.,"
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 tremendously with the gold
| bronze of her hair that blew about co
| quettishly in the stirring breeze.
After sending up her card Zcphine
with a 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 paperT she
asked. Her sweet naturalness quite
bani he'd all Zephine's embarrassment.
Yes. IL thought | 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
you mean. but l am very fond of pic
lures and paint a little for my OWL
amusement Do you wish me to teacE
your son how to paint, Mrs. Maxwell
I'm afraid
"Oh, no. indeed; just help him out {
bit now and then with suggestion
lie likes to have his own way abou
doing things. only he needs some ont
who is in sympathy with his little fad
and fancies You like children, do yol
not Miss Holiday? OF course that il
essential"
Il can't live without them,' Zephin'
replied with glowing enthusiasm. (An'
how could she? If it were not for chill
dren her chances of earning a liveli
hood would be small indeedD
IF you are vivacious, | do not nee,
to ask commented Mrs. Maxwell
glancing at Zephine with genuine az
prOval. Il like to have Ralph hav
lively companionship. He's so stirrin
| himself. He leads me altogether to
| merry a chase"
| But why is red hair essential?
J Zephine finally plucked up sufficien
courage TO inquire, at the same tim
blushing bewitchingly.
= Mrs. Maxwell laughed softly.
"Oh, that's just to satisfy one G
Ralph's whims. He's so cranky sine
he got over his long illness, poor DO!
that We do all we can to please hil
in every little way. And he simpl
dOtes on red hair. Why, he alway
paints women with red hair and Ia.
Christmas, when we were selecting
doll for little girl friend of his, /
insisted on her having red hair"
Zephine joined in the laugh and q
most forgot her misgivings over Il
prospect of her handling this Cranky
and evidently spoiled son of an owe
fond mother, who frankly acknowled
cd that she couldn't handle him he
self
When the arrangements were final
concluded Xephine walked home in
daze. She brought herself back
reality long enough, however, to sci
a telegram to the distant boardiI
school, which she would never enligf
en- with her funds of knowledge aft
all.
"Wen," she announced to the hosl
table trunk, which still gaped In g
y constituent when she returned, 'i
of lucky my clothes are all in ord,
~ Think of it, we start for Europe, c
trunk, day after tomorrow, you and
< and Ralph and Ralph's mother" S
-, | o1Jod sn n e,,l,duad apfio1iDnav