The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1913-03-06
CHANGED HER MIND
BY CECILIA MoRDAuNT.

y
exclaimed Helen Ayres, impatiently
I've said No now, for the last time
Please don't bother me any more
about it. I'm never going to marry
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 He was quite used to hearing
her say No 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 a 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 l
newspaper work, then magazine writ
ing. We promised to meet on the 9Th
Of November Harriet's birthday, at
the end Of FIVE years and tell each
other all about our progress.
Harriet is coming to New York,
and we are to lunch at Sherry's."
Do you think she will be there?"
inquired Philip.
"Of course she will Harriet was as
keen about her work as | am about
mine How we will enjoy talking over
schooldays and the fulhnment of our
ambitionsi"
We'll, viii you dine with me? After
the intellectual afternoon, perhaps you
may need some recreation. Well go
for motor ride afterward."
Thank you, Phil: l cant promise.
Perhaps; III call you up at the club If
l decide to 90 So
At / o'clock the next day, Helen,
dressed in her prettiest afternoon
frock, wearing a 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 a few words of
greeting with others, for a successful
writer of clever stories has many
friends.
At 1870 Helen glanced at her little
jeweled watch with a frown of impa-
tience. Harriet had not arrived. Sure
ly she could not have forgotten the
engagement, although Helen had re-
ceived nc reply from note she had
sent to the Philadelphia address of
her friend, reminding her of their
pact.
One-forty-five. Helen began to grow
Hdgety Two o'clock. She had waited
an 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
here, so she ordered a salad and some
coffee and ate her lunch alone, won
iering what could have happened to
Ter friend. She would walk home
rhe cold air and bright sunshine
would do her good
AS she was passing little toy shop
IN Eighth avenue her attention was
Lttracted by small child clinging to
Ter mothers hand and crying for a
dressed doll which stood
With outstretched hands in the win
ow
No, darling; mother cannot get it
or you. Just look at the dollie, dear,
nd maybe Santa Claus will bring
Ielen one"
Attracted by the child's name, Helen
aused beside the little girl. The
lother turned "Helen Ayers-you."
be exclaimed
Harriet Vest Why, did you
'rget your engagement to lunch with
le?"
Engagement" Harriet looked puz-
ed
Yes, didn't you receive my note?
int it to your home address. And
hat are you doing with that child?"
This is my little daughter, Helen,
amed for you, dear. Come, darling,
'eak nicely to the lady"
you married. What made you
lange your mind and give up your
ork? Oh, Harriet" There was dis
1pointment in Helen's voice
Eyes, dear. / married Ted Mitchell
Early four years ago. We have lived
New York two years."
But why?"
1JCOducC ne lONOQ lut--tuQ L lGll Ill
We with him. Oh, Helen, do come
me with me for tea. Ted will be SO
ad to meet you. He's so often heard
. speak of you. He is the dearest
sband in the world"
So Helen permitted herself to be led
me with Harriet Mitchell and baby
lien. Then she met Ted-the won
rful Ted who was really a very
person, but devoted to
! wife and little daughter
they were such happy trio, SO low
!, so CHEEKY. Harriet beamed on
d and he beamed back at her. Their
e gloritied the tiny flat, which
med to radiate happiness. Helen
lght herself wondering IT, after all,
lome with loved ones was not bet
than an apartment and the serv-
s OF a maid. She wondered il she
Phil-but all Of sudden she re-
mbered that she must call Phil;
had a dinner engagement with
/.
Taking excuses and nromisinp ~