The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1913-01-24
CHANGED HER MIND
BY CECILIA MoRpAUNT.

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exclaimed Helen Ayres, impatiently.
i've said No, now, for the last time.
Please don't bother me any more
about 1t. 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"
II 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 I am about
mine. How we will enjoy talking over
schooldays and the fulfillment Of our
ambitions!"
well, 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 If
l decide to do So"
At 1 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 a few words of
greeting with others, for successful
writer of clever stories has many
friends.
At 1870 Helen glanced at her little
jeweled watch with 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 a note she had
sent to the Philadelphia address of
her friend, reminding her of their
pact.
One-forty-five. 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 II any message had come
from the absent Harriet. Nothing
there, so 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 a small child clinging to
her mothers hand and crying for
beautifully dressed doll which stood
with outstretched hands in the win
dow.
mo. darling; mother cannot get it
for you. Just look at the dollie, dear,
and maybe Santa Claus will bring
Helen one"
Attracted by the childs name, Helen
paused beside the little girl. The
mother turned. "Helen Ayers-you!"
she exclaimed.
Harriet West! Why, Ibid you
forget your engagement to lunch with
me-?
Engagement Harriet looked puz-
zled.
Eyes, didn't you receive my note? I
sent it 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.
Eyes, dear. / married. Ted Mitchell
nearly four years ago. We have lived
in New York two years."
But 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 FED, who was really very
commonplace person, but devoted to
his wife and little daughter.
They we're such q happy trio, SO low
ing, 30 CHEEKY. Harriet beamed on
Ted end 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 a maid. She wondered II she