Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-08-03
Euening Story
A CHANGE or MIND
BY Earl Reed 9ilvers
Copyright, 1916, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate)

his roommate. She's going to bring
q girl home with her for the spring
vacation" t.
"Well, what Of IT," Jack Aokley
stretched indolently on the cushioned
window seat.
What of it," Dick threw the let
ter on the desk. you don't know my
sister, do you? Well, she's highbrow
in Vassar, and whenever she comes
home she brings along some be-
speckled old maid who talks about
new thought, or hygiene or something
else that don't know anything about.
And I'm always the one selected to
entertain her. Imagine being cooped
| up In town like Linden with an old
maid in the same house with you and
not thing to do except talk"
"Why don't you go home with me?"
IT can't. We've never been sepa-
| rated on Easter, and dad Is set on the
idea Of having US all together. I'm
doomed, I guess"
Cant you come the day after
| EASTER" .. .s...
"By George, so I cant" Dick looked
up hopefully. "Ill 60 to New York to
visit you next Monday"
"All right, I'll be looking for you"
Jack glanced at his watch. You'd
better hustle If you're going to get
that train" . t.
why don't you come along as far
as New York with me?"
I'D like to, but I've got an examina-
ton to pass before leave"
; well. so long," he said. "See you
next week." His eye fell upon the letter
lying on the desk. "Oh, yes" he
added, my loving sister told me to
keep 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"
1.-THE name sounds rather old maid
ish," Jack agreed. Then, as Dick
turned to 60, he added teasingly.
WELL have a good time, and give my
regards to Miss Hughes"
Dick secured Pullman seat at
Albany, and gave his attention to a
magazine until Poughkeepsie was
reached Then, however he looked in
terestedly out of the window. Vassar
| girls, dressed In all their spring finery,
were crowdfng on the train. Only
two seats we're empty In his car, and
| LICK WOAuclOu WIZ was uCclluCu W
fill them, especially as one was d.
rectly opposite 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
Modern Philosophy" The girl with
the blue eyes sat opposite him, and
the one with, the spectacles took the
vacant seat farther down 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 chance.
Its rather tiresome riding" he
volunteered, wheeling in his chair.
Eyes, it is" 1t really wasn't what
she said that counted SO much; it
was the way she said 1t.
Would you like something to
read"
mo, thank you. It hurts my eyes
to read on the train
| do you mind If talk to your
| Dicks eyes looked frankly into her
own, and the girl smiled family.
"Why, no. not at ALL" she answered
frankly, 1T will help to break the
| monotony, of the trip"
Thank you!' Dick smil e d
whimsically. What shall we talk
about?"
| Anything you say"
well, I'm going to tell you my
name first I'm Dick Stevens, and
| live in Linden, N. j." She started
slightly, but he failed to notice it..
"Tm going home for vacation in the
deadest place on EARTH"
"Why," she said--and there was a
decided twinkle in her eyes - 1--WE
heard something about Linden.
..lways thought it was quite nice
little place"
ut is, sometimes" Dick admitted,
"but it won't be for me this vacation y
"Why?"
"Well, my sisters a senior at Vas.
sar; maybe you know her Betty
Stevens" The girl looked interested.
Every vacation she brings hCme
some highbrow whom have to enter.
tain. The girls she brings always
wear glasses and talk about stuff
can't understand"
That's too bad" She looked at
him sympathetically. do you know
who she's going to havs this timer"
: Eyes, girl named Mary Hug hes
You can tell by her name that she's
an old maid" His eyes fell upon the
bespectacled individual who sat at the
other end of the car. II shouldn't be
at all surprised If 1t was that young
lady over there" he said slowly. DC
you know herr"
Eyes" His companion grinned
That's Miss Hughes Of the senior
class"
II knew it," Dick sighed. "But II
only have to be with her for two
, days"
"Why is that?"
"rm going to New York the day
after Easter to visit my roommate
Jack Ackley. Horses and chariots
couldn't keep me in Linden with any
of nv sisters friends"