Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1920-06-25
BLACK EYED SUSAN
BY NELL ADAIR.

he had picked in his boyhood. Her
dark eyes glancing shyly beneath
fringe of golden hair, reminded him
of the flowers, too. Also, there was
a certain freshness about the girl
that made one, think of country fields
and simplicity.
Introduce her TO the boys. Rod"
sister begged, "and back her up If she
seems overwhelmed / want her to
have one grand time" Rod frowned
now over the difficulty of his charge.
Since Gwendolen had introduced him,
the girl appeared possessed of pain
full shyness in his company while his
merriest conversation, drew from her
mere monosyllab.rs.
Tonight the rest OF the fellows wsra
coming for one OF Ovens week end
parties and he hoped that Susan
might not prove as difficult In their
companl0nship, as she had in his. And
as he frowned down upon her, Susan
glanced up with one OF her unexpect-
ed slu,fes-a smile chat made her real
< pretty, Rod thought
81 WISH" she said wlstfully, shat
Gwen would not try to make me have
good time. / wish--that while the
others are dancing and all that Gwen
would Just leave me to myself. l
don't want people to be made to dance
with me- or take me to supper or do
anything they don't care to do"
Rodney's frown gave place to a ten
der little smile. So this was the rea-
son of SuSans silence and diffldenee
She was not popular as other girls
were Probably" so Rod thought
compassionately "she has had no OPP
portunity TO mix in young society. the
society of young men especially And
she feels her disadvantage" The tel
ephone called before he could frame
suitable reply. aud he FASTENED to an
swer IT was one of the fellows speak
ing for the rest--they had arrived
Same crowd of girls out with us
as usual Bin Town said There was
vague disappointment IN his tone.
Then Rod had his inspiration. To
this young crowd who since school
days had gone about to the same af-
fairs together new face was ever
an innovation, an incentive to inter
est.
certain popular girl whom Gwen
brought home last year, had been, as
she glowingly told her friends upon
her return, Just gloriously rushed to
death"
If Rod could now convey the same
idea Of Susan's popularity, he knew
that she need have no lack OF invita-
tlons. Gwen wanted Susan to have
zone grand time" Well, he'd try
tor It,
"Gwen has another friend visiting
Ner" he told Bill Town, regular black
eyed Susan. There viii be some COM
petition among you boys--I guest
And put your best manners on--llttle
Susan's mighty particular"
"That ought to start things" Rod ru-
minated as he made his way back to
the veranda with a word OF comfort
for the girl whose wistful voice stIll
echoed In his ears. It did start things.
Ovens friend, sitting poised as though
ready for flight on the edge Of a chair,
was Immediately surrounded that eve
ming by an eager circle Of good look
ing young men. whom Rodney and
his sister had cOnscientiOusly In turn.
brought to be presented. Susan gaz-
ing at first resolutely down at the yell
low rufiles of her muslin dress. raised
her black eyes at last bravely then with
heeting glances she viewed her cava-
liers. II was Bill Town who succeed
ed in carrying the new girl Off to
supper. while Cameron West impa-
tiently awaited a promised promenade
with her on the wide veranda.
"What IS it about that girl that's so
taking he asked Rod wonderingly
"She isn't beauty though her yellow
hair and black eyes are different And
she don't try to please a fellow, though
you keep on talking hoping to hold
her interest When | concluded a
brilliant invention concerning myself.
She asked cooIIy where iyon were, aud
would | get YOU to play something on
the piano"
Rod ia the doorway smiled grimlY.
II was queer how those fellows ell
bowed each other to get first place
with Susan because Of the cue he had
given.
Rod broke off impatiently his medi-
taton, and walked over to take bis
place sit the girls side
you SEEM he said coldly, TO be
having a good time
Susan stared perplexed
"You wanted me 10, didn't your"
she auxiOuSIg asked.
"Of course, / wanted you to have
good time, Rod answered prudglngly
Z planned It that way happen to
know these fellows. Tell them q girls
popular and they'll all fight for 1rsr
place"
$50 you told them" Susan said,
that / was pOpnlarT"
She ruflled the aureole Of her hair,
and gave him a black eyed glance.
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