Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1922-04-27
HIDE AND SEEK
BY MoLLIE MATHeR

your heart-crushing maiden Ted. NV
first impression is that she's too.
easily friendly"
This Is what Charlotte Winters
coming down the stair overheard one
afternoon concerning herself. II Miss
Charlotte had come at the same hour
upon the following day she would
have heard that same pleasing manly
tone Withdrawing much Of his former
statement. But Charlotte did not hear,
the amendment which Is often the
unfortunate way with gossip. Upon the
following afternoon, John Ainsworth
said to Ted, your little Miss Winters
is not over friendly Ted, as |, yester-
day fiippantly concluded. She's Just
absolutely natural. | realize that, as
l am In her company, though she is
far from paying any attention to my
worthy self; which," added John rue
fully grows disappointing
you see,' Ted explained. Charlie
has five brothers who are her admirlng
pals. II was they, who dubbed her
Charlie. So she was grown into a way
of treating men in natural manner
as good companions.
"She made eyes at me the first day."
John, proudly insisted and Charlie
again ascending the stair, at the in
opportune moment, was in time to
hear this last remark.
Well" she breathed Indignantly
and Hoped upon the stair. Her old
friend Ted had given such glowing ac-
counts Of this coming former college
chum.
"Old Johns a wonder" Ted had told
her enthusiastically, highest notch up
I'm his business concern, straight, Jolly
kind; and unspolled," Ted added ad-
miringly, by all the attention women
give him. John could take his pick
wherever he goes But does he en-
courage a girl to believe In a fond
ness for her which he does not
possess? Not old John Courteous
and all that but goes honestly on
his way, until Miss Right comes
along.-Then-"
Maybe" Charlie had mischievously
interrupted. 81 may be that Miss Right.
What an honorw
Such man was not worth a
thought; she would. thereafter, avoid
him decision once made Charlie
Winters invariably lived up to it.
"What," John Ainsworth impatiently
asked Ted, lis the matter with your
mothers guest? Miss Winters runs
from me at every turn, and ] admit
Ted, that the more / see her with
others here, the more | like that girl.
Not 'heart-crushed YOU understand nor
any foolishneSs like that, but I do want
to know her better, have her talk to
me as she talks to those silly loungers
who drop in every evening on pretense
of visiting yourself DO | appear more
boresome than they? or--what Is the
matter with your tolmenting young
friend?"
Old Johns usually calm tone was
sharply impatient. "Whe" answered
Ted wisely, may comprehend the
mind of q woman?"
1t was In the wide halfway that
.John one evening later, learned
the truth, or part of the
truth. By desperate force, he detained
Charlie Winters as she was flying past
him up the stair Her small hands
were claimed masterfully, and the fol-
lowing tumultuous and amazing con-
verSation ensued. you shall not run
from me always" cried John, trem-
blingly earnest, what have / done7
Why do you dislike me? I love you,
love you; he added astonishing,
himself
Charlie, snatching away her hands,
paused to look back at him tauntingly,
'Why, there Is nothing interesting
about me-" she innocently repeated,
"Nor charming either. | am merely
friendly, even when / do" Miss
Charlie gave a charming demonstra-
ton, make eyes at YOU" Then, she
was gone: When John called on the
following day, he learned that Miss
Winters had left unexpectedly to visit
a friend of her mothers in New York
city. She had left no address, promis-
ing to write And John Alnsworth--
the heretofore staid and deliberate
hurried after A needle in hay
stack Yes.
But John had TO keep hunting. Wait
ing inactivity would be to him now
madness. After he had registered at
a New York hotel, John made his
wildly hopeful, probably impossible,
plan.
In disgust with himself and his hope
less reasonings. John gave UP the
chase. He would go to the club
restaurant for luncheon; his usual
haunt when business called him to
New York He had vaguely ordered
luncheon when girlish form slipped
into the chair opposite HIS own. Char
liew cried John, joyously off guard.
The smiling young woman did not re-
sent that familiarity. Then John
poured forth the story of his un-
successful quest.
II was wiser than you said Charlie
when the story was told, ~ came di-
rectly to the place where Ted said
would find you"