The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-04-15
Coming Back
to Maria

phonograph attachments. She could
manage anything-anything; but when
all her energies were bent on man
aging one poor man, why naturally il
was too much fierce white light for
any weak human being to bear. 1t
shriveled me up. Believe 1t or not, :"
Mr.. McCurdy's eyes took on PARKWAY
reminiscent look and he nodded
gloomily, but | wasn't just Mrs. Nc
Curdy's husband. was her door mat,
her kitchen mop. was getting so
that l ran and asked her II | could
walk up the road piece. Pretty
soon she'd have been feeding me
with a spoon. So. one day, just
walked out, leavin' her most all the
ready money had; KNOWN all the
time that she was smart as lightning
at her trade --dressmaking. Well"
he shifted his position slightly. latter
that. I drifted around quite little.
made and saved some money, and
then went hack there to settle down
on the ranch and look after my prop
critics.
well, sir. do you know what? Liv.
In there on Beehive. and studying
over things-life and nature and what
mott got to be quite a philosopher. !
found myself"-this with tremendous
impressiveness-"I remember the day
when It came over me-just like
revelation. I was hoeing in the melon
patch. and suddenly l Strengthened
myself up and threw down my hoe,
and seemed to swell up as big as the
universe. Why, I almost shouted: I
amt afraid Of Maria. l amt afraid Of
Maria any more, not any more than I
am Of those darned industrious ants
yonder. which she's like
$50 not long after that I saddled
my horse and rode up the mountain to
Maria's cabin: first time Id clapped
eyes on 1t since the day I left. I felt
kind O. funny when walked up that
path. you bet. Well. Rosy came to
the door and let me in: said her moth
er was at a missionary meeting but
would be home soon. That suited me
down to the ground. thought I'd get
things all arranged before Maria
showed up. So. broke It to Rosy
with a good deal Of pathos, II I do say
It myself. that I was her long lost
father"
He shook his head gloomily. "But
It didn't 60. Rosy's beautiful girl,
beautiful. but she's got no tempera.
ment. All the time l was talking to
her, and anybody'll admit that got
a persuasive way with me, she looked
as II she didn't believe a word l was
saying. and when finished, she sat
there with her eyes down and never
opened her mouth. Embarrassing,
wasn't It?
II was feeling kind O. foolish and
not knowing what next to say when
there was the sound Of a key rafting
in the lock and the next minute Maria
walked in.
"Then. would you believe it?-Rosa.
lie, beautiful girl. beautiful, but no
SAVIOR fair. says right of, like this:
Mother, this is Mr.. McCurdy, he says
he's my father
"For a moment that seemed to de-
prive Maria of her power of speech,
SO took my chance.
"'Yes. Maria. it's me- said after
all these years. spoke kind Of touch.
ingly, you know, as If overwhelmed
with thoughts too deep for tears.
Yes. I've come back
."What for?' says Maria like that
Make anyone jump. Sort Of detonat.
ing. like bullet fired off close to your
ear.
Maria l said firmly-and friend
Of my better days, I leave 1t to you, II
you ever knew any man that could be
firmer than me. not praising myself at
all. you know, but just stating facts
you had your own way for a good
many years. and you certainly took It:
but you amt the only one that's had
their own way. I've been having II
right along down to Beehive Ranch,
and here spoke very slowly and i'm.
pressively. '1-found-myself-
there. and I'm not to be bulldosed, or
cowed. or crushed by anyone that
walks the earth
Nov II you talk to nine women out
Of ten just that way. they'll knuckle
down; but I'd have bet my last dime
on Maria. I never yet saw any terms
OF speech that had any effect on her.
She wouldn't hesitate to give 4 piece
Of her mind to St. George and then
turn round and sass the dragon. II
never yet saw man, woman, thing or
situation that she was afraid Of. So
you may imagine how the earth SEEM
ed to rock when heard her say, -
gentle a. cooling dove:
II can see. now. Henderson, that
you amt been treated Just right. I've
always felt that there was only one
side to our story. and that was mine
Oh. how she sighed! But you've
made It plain to me now that you've
got q side as well. No. she shook |
her head slowly back and forth. you
haven't been treated right; but no
maj ouA ~. S.c~x Ao~..lt So o:,..