The Washington herald., 1908-02-05
HER TITAN RIVAL
By MARTHA COBB SANFORD
By MARTHA COBB SANFORD.

'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 things" exclaimed Zephine
Holiday. "What funny advertisement
and II il doesn't lift me of to q T."
She read il over again as If TO convince
herself that IL was really not an optical
illusion. Then she settled down to think
It over.
A large half-racked trunk stood open
before her. and about her. on table,
chairs. and floor. were piled all her world
Ily accessories For Zephine was TO start
the next day for q distant Western city,
where she had accepted the position Of
teacher of everything from elementary
arithmetic. which she dssp.sed 20 the
history Of art. which she loved. but had
no particular desire 10 try 90 make a lot
Of giggling young girls love with an equal
ard0r
Sun. there seemed nothing else 20 do,
now that the college course was over and
there were no surplus funds IN the family
exchequer.
I'll answer that 'ad' I'm person" Zeph-
Inc announced 10 the trunk. whose ex-
pansiye yawn indicated expressively its
amazemeut "a kindergarten Of one
somehow sounds more attractive than a
boarding school fun Of scauer-braiued
girls. especially when Il has with it a trip
to Europe thrown in."
When ZepHine rang the Maxwell bell
that afternoon at the address given I'm
the advertisement she looked captivating
enough to adom any European party. no
matter how fastdlous its constituents.
Her smart little autumn hat and her trig
tailor costume all toned In tremendously
with the gold-bronzs Of her hair that
blew about c0qUettish!y IN the stirring
breeze.
After sending mp her card. Zephine,
with a haif-COusci0us sigh Of appreCia-
ton. sank down into the cushioned depths
of a luxurious easy chair 10 await the
presence Of the mysterious mother. When
the latter entered the drawing room
Zephiue gazed upon her with frank adj
miration She was stately and beautiful.
and. above all. undeniably m0therly
you came in answer TO my advertise
meut in the morning paper?' she asked.
Her sweet uaturaluess quite banished all
Zephine's embarrassment.
Yes II thought I would like to know
more about it," the girl answered eau
tiously.
You are fond OF art, Miss Holliday-do
you paintc'
Il am not an artist. If that is what you
mean, but ] am very fond Of pictures and
paint q little for my own amusement. Do
you wish me TO teach your son how 10
paint, Mrs. Maxwell? I'm afraid"
ION. no. indeed Just to help him out a
bit now and then with a suggestion. lie
likes to have his own way about doing
things, only he needs some one who IS in
sympathy with his little fads and fancias.
You Ike children do you not Miss HoI-
liday? OF course. that is essential"
Il can't live without them" Zephine re-
piled. with glowing enthusiasm. land how
could she? If # were not for children her
chances Of earning a livelihood would be
small indeed)
If you are vivacious. do not need to
ash" commented Mrs. Maxwell glancing
at Zephine with genuine approval 81 like
to have Ralph have lively companionship.
He's so stirring himself. He leads me al
together too merry a chase"
But why is red hair essential zeph-
inc finally plucked up sufficient courage
to inquire. at the same time blushing be-
witchingly.
Mrs. Maxwell laughed softly.
"Oh, that's just TO satisfy one of
Ralph's whims. He's so cranky since he
got over his long illness, poor boy, that
We do all We can 10 please him, in every
little way. And he simply dotes on red
hair. Why he always paints women with
red hair and last Christmas, when we
were selecting doll for little girl friend
of his. he insisted on her having red
hair!'
Zephine joined IN the laugh and almost
forgot her misgivings over the prospect
Of her handling this cranky" and evil
IDENTIFY spoiled son Of an overload moth
er. who frankly acknowledged that she
couldn't handle him herself
When the arrangements were finally
concluded, Zephine walked home in a
Gaze She brought herself back to reality
long enough, however. 10 send telegram
to the distant boarding school, which she
would never enlighten with her fund OF
knowledge after all.
Well" she announced to the hospitable
trunk, which still CAPPED in establishment
Witcu size ASbbi ilSt II 5 luDhJ NY Ni'NuCS
are all in order. Think of it; we start for
Europe, old trunk, day after tomorrow,
you and land Ralph and Ralphs moth
err" she added IN subdUed anti-cIimax.
I wish Ia seen the kid. I know he's in
cOrrigible."
The day for sailing was ideally fair.
Mrs. Maxwell met Zephine at the steamer
and accompanied her TO her stateroom,
establishing herself comfortably there
with much mOtherly kindness.
After the farewells are over you and