New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1921-01-12
BLACK EYED SUSAN
BY NELL ADAlR,

lC' 1llShu' she reminded MN some
way, OF certain yellow fringed flowers
he had picked in his boyhood. Her
dark eyes glancing shyly beneath
fringe OF golden hair, reminded him
OF tie flowers, too. Also, there was
certain freshness about the girl
mat made one, think of country fields
and simplicity.
Introduce her TO the boys, Rod"
sister begged, land back her up if she
seems overwhelmed. ! want her ia
nave one grand time" Rod frowned
now over the difficulty of his charge.
Since GWendolen had introduced him,
the girl appeared possessed Of a pain
full ShyneSS in his company while his
meHrieSt conversation, drew from her
mere monosyllables.
Tonight the rest Of the fellows were
coming for one Of Ovens weekend
parties, and he hoped that Susan
might not prove as difficult in their
c0mpaniOnShip, as she had in his. And
as he froWncd down upon her, Susan
glanced up with one of her unexpect-
ed SrnileS-a smile thnt made her real
~ pretty, Rod thought.
Il WISH" she said wistfuly, that
Gwen would not try 10 make me have
good time. | WiSh--that while the
others are dancing and all that, Gwen
would Just leave me TO myself. |
don't want people TO be made to dance
with me, or take me to supper, or do
n Ia Il 70 d.
Rodney'S froWn gave place to ten
der little smile SO this was the rea-.
son Of Susan'S silence and dittidence.
She was not popular as other girls
were. 'Probably,' so Rod thought
compassionately, she has had no op-
p0rtunity 10 mix in young society, the
society of young men especially. And
she feels her disadvantage" The tel
ephOne called before he could frame y
suitable reply, and he FASTENED to an
swer 1t was one of the fellows speak
ing for the rest-they had arrived.
Same crowd Of girls out with us
rs usual" Bill Town said. There was
vague disappointment in his tone.
Then Rod had his inspiration. TO
1hiS young crowd, who since school
days had gone about to the same af-
fairs together, a new face was ever
an innovation, an incentive to inter-
est.
\ certain popular girl whom Gwen
brought home last year, had been, as
She glOwngly told her friends upon
her return, Gust "loriOnsly rushed to
DEATH"
If Rod could now convey the same
idea Of SuSanS popularity, he knew
that she need have no lack of invita-
lions Gwen wanted Susan TO have
zone grand time. Well he'd try
for It,
"Cwcn has another friend visiting
her" he told Bill Town. Irregular black
eyed Susan. There will be some com.
petition among YOU bOyS-1 guess!
And put your best manners on-littlc
SuSanS mighty particularly
THAT ought TO start things" Rod ru-
minated, as he made his way back to
the ycrHndl with a word of comfort
for The girl whose Wistful voice still
echoed in his ears. 1t did start things
Ovens friend, sitting poised as though
ready for flight on the edge of 4 chair
was Immediately surrounded that eve
ming by III eager circle of good look
ing young men. whom Rodney and
his sister had cOnScienti0usly in turn
brought to be presented. Susan gaZ
ing at first reSOlutoly down at the yell
low ruftloS Of her muslin dress. raised
her black eyes at last bravcly, then with
fleeing glanceS she viewed her cava-
Tiers. 1t was Bill Town who succeed
ed in carrying the new girl off to
supper. while Cameron West impa-
fently 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 a 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 holt.
her interest Nviien / concluded 81
brilliant invention concerning myself,
she asked coolly where you We're, and
would | get you to play something on
the piano" ...-.
Rod in 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 impatientIy his medi
tati0n, and walked over to take his
place ut the girls side.
you seem" lie said coldlv, $50 be
having a good time
Susan stared perplexed
"YOu wanted me- to, didn't yOu?"
she anXiouSly asked.
"Of course, ! wanted you to have a
good time Rod answered grudgingly.
"I planned it that way I happen to
know these fellows. Tell them a girls
popular and they'll all fight for first
place"
so you told them" Susan said
that I was pOpular?'
She ruffled the aureole of her hair
and gave him black eyed glance.
'You must be pleased then with the
success of your plan.''
'rm not" Rod answered.
you see, I've been finding out to-.