Mountain advocate., 1922-07-14
HIDE AND SEEK
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS


about her, or charming either. II that's
your heart-crushing maiden Ted, my
first Impression Is, that shas too
easily friendly"
This ls 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 IL often the
unfortunate way with gossip. Upon the
following afternoon. John Answorth
said to Ted. Your little Miss winters
is not over friendly Ted. as I, yester-
day aippantly concluded. She's Just
absolutely natural. realize that, as
I am In her company. though she IL
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 admlring
pals. II was they, who dubbed her
Charlie. So she was grown into a way
Of treating men in a natural manner
as good companions.
"She made eyes at me the first day."
John, proudly insisted; and Charlie.
again ascending the stair, az the In
opportune moment, was In time to
hear this last remark.
"WellI" 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 q wonder" Ted had told
her enthusiastically, highest notch up
In his business concern straight, jolly,
kind and unspoiled." 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
bis way, until Miss Right comes
along.-Then-"
Maybe" Charlie had miscmeEously
interrupted. IL may be that Miss Right.
What an honorT
Such man was not worth
7 thought; she would, thereafter, avoid
bin. A decision once made Charlie
Winters invariably lived up to 1t
"What." John Alnsworth impat1ently
asked Ted. Us the matter with your
mothers guest1 Miss Winters runs
from me at every turn, and I admit
/ Ted, that the more I see her with
others here, the more I like that girl.
Not 'heart-crushed,' you understand nor
| any foOllshness like that but 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 they7 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 a wOmnnF'
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
were claimed masterfully, and the fol-
lowing tumultuous and amazing con-
versation ensued. you shall not run
from me always" cried John. trem-
bllngly earnest, What have I donef
Why do you dislike me? love you.
love you: he added astonishing,
himself.
Charlie, snatchlng 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 q charming demonstra-
tion. 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 Ainsworth-
the heretofore staid and deliberate
hurried after. A needle In a 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 reasonings, John gave up the
chase. He would so 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.
lle!" cried John, joyously of guard
The smiling young woman did not re