The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1913-01-03
CHANGED HER MIND


Really, Phil, l can't marry you'll"
exclaimed Helen Ayres, impatiently.
1--WE said No.. now, for the last time.
Please don't bother me any more
About IL. I'm never going TO marry
anybody. My work absorbs my whole
lie"
Philip Jordan accepted her refusal
ithout comment. 1t was the seventh
rne he had asked Helen to be his
ne. lie was quite used to hearing
n say No, but philip had his own
cas- about her career"
All right, my dear; but lunch with
- tomorrow, anyway, at the tea
Dom"
81 can't" she replied in a terse man
er. I'm going to meet Harriet West.
We were at school together and I've
OF seen her for five years. Harriet
tx Up social service work and
awspaper work, then magazine writ
,ag. We promised to meet on the 5th
f November, Harriet's birthday, at
lie end of five years and tell each
Their all about our progrSss.
Harriet is coming to New York,
nd we are to lunch at Sherry's."
do you think she will be there?"
lcuired Philip.
"Of course she will Harriet was as
cen about her work as l am about
iue. How we will enjoy talking over
oLccldays and the fulfllment of our
labitions!"
well, will you dine with me? After
re intellectual afternoon, perhaps you
-lay need some recreation. Well go
Or a motor ride afterward."
THANK you, Phil; l can't promise.
arhaps; I'll call you up at the club if
decide to do So"
At l o'clock the next day, Helen,
2ressed in her prettiest afternoon
irock, wearing a huge bunch of violets,
aited in the reception room at Sher-
rvs. She looked with inquiring in
crest into the eyes of all the women
Tko entered. Some Of them she bow
d 20, exchanging a few words of
reeting with others, for successful
writer Of clever stories has many
friends.
st 1870 Helen glanced at her little
jeweled watch with a frown Of impa-
fence. Harriet had not arrived. Sure
iy she could not have forgotten the
engagement, although Helen had re-
ceived no reply from a note she had
sent TO the Philadelphia address Of
her friend, reminding her Of their
pact
One-fortyrfive. Helen began to grow
fidgety Two o'clock She had waited
IN hour. Well, there was no need to
wait longer. She called up her apart
ment to see if any message had come
from the absent Harriet. Nothing
there, so she ordered a salad and some
coffee and ate her lunch alone, won
d"rirg what could have happened to
her friend. She would walk home.
he cold air and bright sunshine
would do her good.
As she was passing a little toy shop
on Eighth avenue her attention was
attracted by a small child clinging to
her mothers hand and crying for d
beautifully dressed doll which stood
With outstretched hands in the win
dow.
No, darling; mother cannot get it
for you. Just look at the dollie, dear,
ard maybe Santa Claus will bring
Helen one"
Attracted by the child's name. Helen
paused beside the little girl The
r"ther turned. Helen Ayers-you!"
she exclaimed.
Harriet West! Why, did you
forget your engagement to lunch with
me?"
Engagement" Harriet looked puz-
zled.
Yes, didn't you receive my note?
sent il 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 Helen's voice.
Yes, dear. | married. Ted Mitchell
nearly four years ago. We have lived
in New York two years"
Put Why"
Because he loved me-and | 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 it, after all,
a home with love- ones was not bet