The vidette., 1922-03-30
HIDE AND SEEK
.~~~~~~~~~~>-~~~i.>
BY MoLLlE MATHER

hiSl HiilieSSloH iSi lHlta SDuS 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
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 Alnsworth
said to Ted, "Your little Miss Winters
is not over friendly Ted as l. yester.
day fiippantly 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, "Charlle
has five brothers who are her admirlng
pals. 1t was they, who dubbed her
Charlie. So she was grown into way
of treating men in nataral 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 WONDER" Ted had told
her enthusiastically "highest notch up
in 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 girl 10 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 honor!"
Such man was not worth a
thought; she would, thereafter, avoid
him. A decision once made Charlie
Winters invariably lived up to it.
WHAT" John Ainsworth impatiently
asked Ted, sis the matter with your
mothers guest? Miss Winters runs
from me at every turn, and | admit
Ted, that the more l see her with
others here, the more like that girl.
Not 'heart-crushed,' you understand nor
any foolishness like that, but l 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 tormenting young
friendT
Old Johns usually calm tone was
sharply impatient. "Who" answered
Ted wisely, may comprehend the
mind of womanw
1t was In the wide hallway 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-
owing tumultuous and amazing con-
versation ensued. "You shall not run
from me a-ways," cried John, tren-
blingly earnest, "What have / done
Why do you dislike me? 1 love you,
love your; 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,
friendly, even when l 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
| friend of her mothers in New York
city. She had left no address, promis-
ing to write. And John lAinsworth--
| 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
New York hotel, John made his
wildly hopeful, probably impossible,
| plan.
In disgust with himself and his hope
less seasonings, 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 a girlish form slipped
into the chair opposite his own. "Char.
liel" 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.
81 was wiser than you," said Charlie
when the story was told, ~ came d.
| rectly to the place where Ted said ]
vould find you"
"Find me?" questioned John.
"Or rather let you find me- cor
rected Miss Charlie. Again she smiled
you see, had grown tired of hide
| and seek, myself"
Johns hand captured hers beneath
the table cloth. "Charlie DEAR" he
whispered, "and l have found yor
then, to keep?v
"If I'm not too uninteresting. began
Charlie, then relented, in a smile.