The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1917-01-19
4 CHANGE OF MIND
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

'Tm sorry, Hart. I'm afraid I've
Known it, but it was too late TOTO do
anything. I'm sorry, OH so sorry.
Can't we be just very good friends
rs we've always beenY'
He moved restlessly. That's the
-rouble. I'm just a person you've
grown used to and now you can't as
sOciate me with love. If I'd come
along stranger and gone at it right
believe l could have won you. Like
Clark Latshaw," he added.
Hart"
I'm right more or less" recklessly.
You've been different person since
he came and maybe you don't know it,
little girl, but l said good-by to my
chances after l saw his valet and
French car"
You're saying horrid things-things
you've no right to say. l think we'd
better go back"
Forgive me, Aleen. I'm brute.
It's all right, little girl. Forget what
I've said and forgive II you can. I
want you to be happy, that's sure.
need me I'm ready for home run ev-
cry time. Promise y
Il promise on one condition"
"Yes?"
THAT you'll do the same!"
"A man never needs help from a
woman"
"He may. Promise any way. Re-
member you're my best friend, Hart"
"All right. l promise"
A few days later Aleen was return
ing from the lake to open the city
house for the family. With her on the
Pullman was Clark Latshaw, who
found that he was suddenly called to
New York on the same day.
Aleen had worried about Hart, and
his remark about Clark had set her
to thinking. Could it be possible that
she did care for his money?
But an hour of conversation on the
train opened her eyes and it brought
relief. mo, it's not his money like"
she decided, Its his mind. I'd no
idea he knew so much and could talk
Of so many things"
SO she banished dull care and set
tied herself to enjoy the rest of the
ride.
Clark was calling her attention to
a cloud effect around mountain
peak, like fluffy white plumes around
purple-cocked hat, when the door of
the stateroom at the end of car opened
| q hnu hnu rd
quick frown Of annoyance crossed
Clark's face. II wish they'd shut that
door," he said, as the wailing kept up
and showed no signs of diminishing.
poor little thing!" Aleen couldn't
help saying. 1T sounds like just a
little bit of thing. l imagine it's
hard travelling with babies ~
And then appeared the tiny offender
in the arms of very red and wild
looking man.
"Hart!" cried Aleen in sympathetic
surprise, while smile of ANNOYED
amusement appeared on Clark's face.
Hart did not see them at first, but
started to pace the aisle with the fran
tic air of person who, having done
all he can with the head, throws rea-
son to the winds and uses his feet in
stead.
"Of all fool things" declared Clark.
Let him alone. Why doesn't he take
it back and shut the door? Where's
it's mother?'
Il think it's his sisters baby. It's
puzzled Aleen.
The cries were coming nearer. Aleen
sprang up and met the disturbers in
the aisle on their return trip.
Give me the baby, Hart" she COM
manded.
mo, thank you. I'll not trouble you
he said. Clark's disappearing, half
hooking face nettled him, and it stune
him to see them together.
She held out her arms. But YOU
promised" she reminded him sweetly
He thought an instant "There are
times man needs woman's help,
came back to him. He dumped the
crying bundle of pink and white into
her arms with relief.
ITS sisters youngster. She's sick
and they're sending the baby to a spe-
cialist for something or other. Just
at train time his nurse had somebody
die and she couldn't come. There was
nobody but me to bring him, so ]
jumped in and came but | don't know
much about babies. It's-it's awfully
good of you"
Aleen in the instant before she took
he baby had comprehensive glimpse
II the two men. Hart-big, boyish
awkward and tousled and smelling
strongly of sour milk, but with it all
tenderness and pity in his face fol-
the little mite he held; Clark-im
maculate, brilliant and his face set II
hard disappearing lines, petulant over
spoiled day.