The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1922-06-21
HIDE AND SEEK
BY MoLLIE MATHER


Il don't see anything interesting
about her, or charming either. If that's
your heart-crushing maiden Ted, my
first impression Is, that she's too
easily friendly"
This is what Charlotte Winters,
coming down the stair overheard one
afternoon concerning herself. If Miss
Charlotte had come at the same hour
upon the following day, she would
hare 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 hppantly concluded. She's just
absolutely natural. realize that, as
| 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 admlring
pals. 1t 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 Topped upon the stair. Her old
friend Ted had given such glowing ac-
counts Of this coming former college
chum.
"Old Johns wonder" Ted had told
her enthusiastically, highest notch up
in his business concern, straight, jolly,
kind and unspoiled," Ted added ad.
mirlngly "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
possessl Not old John. Courteous
and all that, but goes honestly on
his way, until Miss Right comes
along Then"
Maybe" Charlie had mlschlevously
Interrupted, ~ may be that Miss Right.
What an honorw
Such man was not worth a
thought; she would, thereafter, avoid
him. A decision once made Charlie
Winters invariably lived up TO 1t.
2 "What," John Alnsworth impatienty
asked Ted, us the matter with your
mothers guest? Miss Winters runs
/ from me at every turn. and l 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 | do want
to know her better, have her talk 20
/ 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 tormenting young
/ fiiend?"
Old Johns usually calm tone was
sharply impatient. "Who" answered
Ted wisely, may comprehend the
mind OF n womanY
1t was In the wide hallway that
John one evening later. learned
the truth, OF part of the
truth. By desperate force. he detained
Charlie Winters as she was flying past
him up the stair Her small hands
We're claimed masterfully, and the fol
lowing tumultuous and amazing con
versation ensued. "You shall not run
from me always" cried John. trem
blngly earnest. what have l donel
Why do you dislike me? l love you
love you; he added astonishing
himself.
Charlie, snatchng away her hands
paused 20 look back at him tauntlngly
| "Why, there Is nothing interesting
about me- she innocently repeated
Nor charming either. am merely
friendly even when | do" Mis-:
Charlie gave charming demonstra
ton, make eyes at YOU" Then, she
was gone: When John called on tn,
following day, he learned that Miss
Winters had left Unexpectedly to visll
a friend Of her mothers In New Yorl
city. She had left no address. promis
ing to write. And John Ainsworth-
the heretofore stad and deliberate
hurried after. A needle in hay
stack? Yes.
But John had to keep hunting. Wait
Ing inactivity would be to him nov
madness. After he had registered a
New York hotel. John made hi
wildly hopeful, probably impossible
plan.
In disgust with himself and his hope
less reasonings, John gave up th'
chase. He would go to the clul
restaurant for luncheon; his usua
haunt when business called him L
New York. He had vaguely ordered
luncheon when girlish form slipped
into the chair opposite his own. Char