The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1908-05-21

so spontaneously. II 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.
II thought lie was little boy" she
gasped helplessly
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
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.
N'y' " N'u' hihS yOuhS NOIhdu, tO dC-
company them on their trip so that he
would have some one to share his art
enthusiasm with and to join him in
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 compro-
bend the situation. Finally she burst
out laughing-a trife hysterical per-
haps-but still it was the vivacious Ze-
phine coming to her rescue
Mrs. Maxwell sighed and smiled all
at once.
"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 | was a kid"
laughed Ralph. looking at Zephine
with undisguised admiration. well.
am pretty much of one You'll
nave to take me in hand just the
same. | may not mind promptly some
times, but that will be because I'm
oblivious to everything save the glory
of your hair"
ITS dyed. did it to get the lob"
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
we'll knew.
when we get settled in the studio
| shall make portrait of you, Miss
Holliday-that is, if you are willing"
Then shall be both dyed and
painted lady" she laughed teasingly,
IAN Irresistible combination"
Ralph made no reply. but gazed at
her so steadily tNt at last Zephine
was compelled to raise her eyes.
Il 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 no.
put to the test. All the dyes in the
world couldn't produce the matchess
brightness and beauty of your hair,
dear Why did you try to deceive me,
Zephine?"
"Were you deceived?"
'For a day OF 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 II 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 imagin-
ed you"
'Only this incorrigible boy is in love
with his teacher" answered Ralph.
stealing hold of her warm little hand
beneath the steamer rug