The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-08-01
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
A Change of Mind.
BY EARL REED sILVERs.

LICK EktNtASt 1tohia6 AZ tue 4tktSA
In his hand. frowned darkiy.
It's from my sister, he informed his
roommate. She's going to bring grrl
home with her for the spring yaca.
ton.
Well, what OF It? Jack Ackley
stretched indolently on the cushioned
window scat.
What OF It? Dick threw the letter
on the desk. You don't know my sis.
ter, do you? Well. she's a highbrow
in vassar, and whenever she comes
home she brings along some bespeck.
led old maid who takes about new
thought, or hygiene or something else
that don't know anything about. Ana
I'm always the one selected to enter
tain her. Imagine being cooped up In
a town like Linden with an old maid in
the same house with you and not a
thing 10 do except talk.
Why don't you go home with me?
can't. We've never been separated
on Easter, and dad Is set on the idea
OF having us all together. I'm doomed.
guess.
Can't you come the day after Eas.
ter?
BY George, so can! Dick looked
up hopefully. III so to New York to
visit you next Monday.
All right, I'll be looking for you.
Jack glanced at his watch. You'd bet.
tor hustle II you're going to get that
train.
Why don't you come along as far
as New York with me?
Id like to, but I've got an eXamina-
ton to pass before leave.
Well, so long, he said. See you next
week. His eyes fell upon the letter
lying on the desk. oh, yes, he added,
my loving sister told me TO Keep a
lookout for Miss Mary Hughes at
Poughkeepsie. She's the girl who's
coming TO see US, and Is expected to
take the same. train that | do. Sis
went down yesterday.
The name sounds rather old maid.
ish, Jack agreed. Then, as Dick turn
ed to go, he added teasingly. Well,
have good time, and give my regards
to Miss Hughes.
Dick secured Pullman seat at AL.
barry. and gave his attention to a mag
azine until poughkeepsie was reached
Then, however. he looked interestedly
out OF the window. Vassar girls dress
ed In all their spring ftnery, were
crowding on the train. Only two seats
were empty in his car, and Dick Won
dered who was destined to fill them,
especially as one was directly oppo-
site his own.
Two girls entered the car. One had
blue eyes, the color of the sky on a
perfect June day. The other wore
spectacles and carried book on Mod
ern Philosophy. The girl with the
blue eyes sat opposite him, and the
one with the spectables took the va
cant seat farther Gown the car. The
train started, but Dick Stevens did not
turn again to his magazine. The girl
across the aisle looked over at him
and SO he put the magazine away In
his bag.
Then fifteen minutes went before
anything happened. Finally Dick took
q chance.
It's rather tiresome riding, he yolun.
teered, wheeling in his chair.
Yes, 1t is. 1t really wasn't wh.t she
said that counted SO much; it was the
way she said 1t.
Would you like something to read:
No, thank you. 1t hurts my eyes to
read on the train.
Do you mind IL talk to you? Dicks
eyes looked frankly into her own, and
the girl smiled family.
Why, no, not at all, she answered
frankly. 1t will help to b. ak the mo.
notony Of the trip.
Than!: you! Dick smiled whimsi-
cally. What shall we talk about?
Anything you say.
Well, I'm going to tell you nay name
first. I'm Dick Stevens, and live in
Linden, N. ]. She started slightly, but
he failed to notice 1t. I'm going home
for vacation In the deadest place on
earth.
Why, she said-and there was a de-
cided twinkle in her eycs-I've h.prd
something about Linden. | always
thought It was quite nice little place.
1t is, sometimes. Dick admitted, but
1t won't be for me this vacation.
Why!
Well. my sisters a senior at vassar;
maybe you know her-Betty Stevens.
The girl looked interested. Every va
cation she brings home some high.
brow whom I have to entertain. The
girls she brings always wear glasses
and talk about stun can't understand.
That's too bad. She looked at him
sympathetically. Do you know who
she's going TO have this time?
Yes, a girl named Mary Hughes.
You can tell by her name that she's
an old maid. His eyes fell upon the
bespectacled individual who sat ut the
other end Of the car. shouldn't be
at all surprised II 1t was that young
lady over there, he said slowly. Do
you know her!
Yes. His companion grinned. That's
Miss Hughes Of the senior class.
! knew it. Dick sighed. But I'll
only have to be with her for two
days.
Why Is that?
I'm going to New York the day of.
ter Easter to visit my roommate, Jack
Ackley. Horses and chariots couldn't
keep me in Linden with any Of my
sisters friends.
That's a rather mean thing to do