Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1913-01-02
CHANGED HER MIND
BY CECILIA MoRDAuMT.

anybody. My work absorbs my whole
life"
Philip Jordan accepted her refusal
without comment It was the seventh
time he had asked Helen to be his
wife. pe was quite used to hearing
her say mo. but Philip had his own
ideas about her career"
"All right, my dear; but lunch with
me tomorrow, anyway, at the tea
room"
Il can't" she replied in terse man
ner. I'm going to meet Harriet West
We were at school together. and I've
not seen her for FIVE years. Harriet
took up social service work and
newspaper work, then magazine writ
ing We promised to meet on the 9Th
Of November, Harriet's birthday, at
the end Of fve years and tell each
other all about our progress.
Harriet IL coming to New York,
and we are to lunch at Sherrys."
do you think she win be there?"
inquired Philip.
''Of course she will. Harriet was as
keen about her work as I am about
mine. How we will enjoy talking over
schooldays and the fulfillment OF our
ambitions!"
We'll, will you dine with me? After
the intellectual afternoon, perhaps you
may need some recreation. Well go
for motor ride afterward"
Thank you, Phil; can't promise.
Perhaps; I'll call you up at the club il
l decide to do So"
At o'clock the next day. Helen,
dressed in her prettiest afternoon
frock, wearing huge bunch of violets,
waited in the reception room at Sher-
RVS. She looked with inQuiring in
terest into the eyes of all the women
who entered. Some Of them she bow
ed to. exchanging few words of
greeting with others, for a successful
writer of clever stories has many
| friends.
At 1880 Helen glanced at her little
jeweled watch with q frown of impa.
thence. Harriet had not arrived. Sure
ly she could not have forgotten the
engagement, although Helen had re-
ceived no reply from q note she had
sent to the Philadelphia address Of
her friend, reminding her Of their
pact
one-forty.nve. Helen began to grow
fidgety. Two O'Clock. She had waited
an hour. Well. there was no need to
wait longer. She called Up her apart.
ment TO see n any message had come
from the absent Harriet Nothing
there, 90 she ordered salad and some
coffee and ate her lunch alone. won
dering what could have happened to
her friend. She would walk home.
The cold air and bright sunshine
would do her good
AS she was passing little toy shop
on Eighth avenue her attention was
attracted by small child clinging to
her mothers hand and crying for a
beautifully dressed doll which stood
with outstretched hands In the win.
dow.
mo, darling; mother cannot get il
for you. Just look at the dollie, dear,
and maybe Santa Claus will bring
| Helen one"
Attracted by the child's name, Helen
paused beside the little girl The
mother turned Helen Ayers-you!"
she exclaimed.
Harriet West! Why. did you
forget your engagement to lunch with
me?"
Engagement" Harriet looked puz-
zled.
Eyes, didn't you receive my note? l
sent 1t to your home address. And
what are you doing with that child?"
This is my little daughter, Helen,
named for you, dear. Come, darling,
speak nicely to the lady"
you married! What made you
change your mind and give up your
work? Oh, Harriet" There was dis
appointment in Helens voice.
yes, dear married Ted Mitchell
nearly four years ago. We have lived
in New York two years"
Put Why"
Because he loved me-aEG / fell in
love with him. Oh, Helen, do come
home with me for tea. Ted will be so
glad to meet you. He's so often heard
me speak of you. He Is the dearest
husband in the world"
So Helen permitted herself to be led
home with Harriet Mitchell and baby
Helen. Then she met Ted-the won
derful Ted. who was really a very
commonplace person, but devoted to
his wife and little daughter
They were such happy trio, so low
ing, so CHEEKY. Harriet beamed on
| Ted and he beamed back at her. Their
love glorified the tiny fiat, which
seemed to radiate happiness. Helen
caught herself wondering if. after all,
a home with loved ones was not bet
ter than an apartment and the serv-
ices OF maid. She wondered if she
and Phil-but all of sudden she re-
membered that she must call Phil;
she had dinner engagement with
him.
Making excuses and promising to
| come to see the haDpy little family