The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-06-18
By Virginia Terhune
Van de Water,
Author Of Natiorl-Wi Reputation
and Writer Of Popular Novels
and Short Stories.

Ell W1n11Te0 was becoming
more and more interested
in what she called Rankin's
"uplift work" That he did not
explain to her specifically what
such work was did not alter her
faith In 1t.
Muir saw her seldom alone now
adays. She did not ask him to
call, and he would not force his
society upon her. On several
occasions when he had dropped
in in the evening, hoping for an
old-time chat with his ward, he
had found young Rankin conf
fortably ensconced in the library
conversing with the young hostess.
The older man hesitated to
make an unwelcome third and re-
manned only long enough for a
formal call. Winifred was al
ways gentle and polite with him
but the candor that he had been
accustomed to expect from her
was conspicuous by fits absence.
He sought a cause for this
change-thinking back to find 1t.
Perhaps she had never been quite
the same with him since that
afternoon when he had seen her
and Richard at the tea-house up
the river. The following Sunday
he had tried to make all plain be-
tween them, and had flattered
himself that he had succeeded
only to have his hopes dashed
at his next meeting with the girl.
The thoughts of youth certain
ly are long, long thoughts. Sus-
picion and jealousy are subtle
forces, and both of them were
at work in the heart Of Winifred
Scott. She had resented her
guardians attentions to an I'm.
known and attractive woman
had guessed that It was this
same woman who kept him from
her on the night when she had
called him up and asked him to
take pity on her loneliness.
The next Sunday, when he had
walked with her and dined with
her, winifred had become con-
WINGED that, after all. she held
the first place in his affections.
But Richards information. Inn
parted after her guardian had
left him and Winifred alone to-
gether, had again reused the
girls jealousy. From what the
artist told her 1t was evident that
Donald had come to her house
directly after lunching with. some
woman at the Ritz.Carlton. OF
course, he had a right to lunch
with whom he pleased. Yet that
he failed to tell her he had been
with another friend piqued her.
Did he suppose for a second that
she, Winifred, would be jealous
of that other woman? And If he
had not supposed that, why had
he been careful to avoid all men,
ton of her? Having just left her,
it would have been quite natural
that he should refer to this fact.
Had Winifred been more given
to self-analysis she would have
suspected her own feelings to-
ward her guardian. AS 1t was,
she assured herself that she had
no special fondness for him
beyond the liking and respect
that a young girl would natural
ly have for. the friend of the
father to whom that father had
given the management Of his
child's affairs.
Youth must be amused. It also
demands happiness. In her quest
Of amusement and happiness,
winifred Scott turned naturally to
Richard Rankin.
Here, at least, was a man who
cared for her, a man who sought
her society upon all occasions.
And he, after sowing some Of
the seeds of resentment towards
Donald Muir, made himself so
agreeable and interesting that
the lonely girl welcomed him
eagerly. Ell talked of his work,
enlisted her interest, and. at last
most subtle and delicate form
of flattery-made her feel that
her sympathy was the most help
full element that had yet come
into his life.
Was it strange that, almost