The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-06-27
Coming Back
to Maria

was like a pillar OF radium with
photograph attachments. She could
manage anything-anything; but when
all her energies were bent on man.
aging one poor man, why naturally 1t
was too much fierce white light for
any weak human being to bear. 1t
shriveled me up. Believe It or not"
Mr.. McCurdy's eyes took on a far-away
reminiscent look and he nodded
gloomily, but l wasn't just Mrs. Nc
Curdys husband, was her door mat,
her kitchen mop. l was getting so
that ran and asked her II I could
walk up the road a piece. Pretty
soon she'd have been feeding me
with a spoon. So. one day, I just
walked out, leavin' her most all the
ready money l had; KNOWN all the
time that she was smart as lightning
at her Notwithstanding Well
he shifted his position slightly, latter
that, l drifted around quite little,
made and saved some money, and
then went back 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
not-I got to be quite philosopher. !
found myself" with tremendous
mpressiveness-"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 I seemed to swell up as big as the
universe. Why. almost shouted: I
amt afraid OF Maria. amt afraid OF
Maria any more, not any more than
am of those darned industrious ants
yonder, which she's like
$50 not long after that saddled
my horse and rode up the mountain to
Mara's cabin: first time I'd clapped
eyes on It since the day I left. I felt
kind O funny when I walked up that
path. you bet. Well, Rosy came to
the door and let me in; said her moth
er was at 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 II to Rosy
with 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.
rnent. All the time I was talking to
her. and anybody'll admit that I got
q persuasive way with me. she looked
as II she didn't believe a word I was
saying. and when I finished. she sat
there with her eyes down and never
opened her mouth Embarrassing.
wasn't II?
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. a beautiful girl. beautiful. but no
SAVIOR fair. says right on. nike this:
Mother. this is Mr.. McCurdy, he says
he's my father
For moment that seemed to de-
prive Maria Of her power Of speech,
% took my chance.
"'Yes. Maria. it's me- said. After
all these years spoke kind Of touch.
ingly. you know. az II 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 on close to your
ear.
"'Maria.' said hrmly-and friend
Of my better days. I leave II to you. II
you ever knew any man that could be
flrmer than me. not praising myself ut
all. you know. but Just stating facts
you had your own way for q good
many years. and you certainly took Il:
but you amt the only one that's had
their own way. rye been having II
right along down to Beehive Ranch,
and here spoke very slowly and I'm.
pressively. 'I-found-myself- down.
there. and I'm not to be bulldosed, or
cowed. or crushed BY anyone that
walks the earth
NOW II you talk to nine women uut
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 a piece
Of her mind 10 St George and then
turn round and sass the dragon. |
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. as
gentle as a cooling dove:
az 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 II plain 10 NE now that YOU'VE
got a side as well. No she shook
her head slowly back and forth. .ycu
haven't been treated right: but no
one and she drew herself m lilo