Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1913-02-06
MARY, THE FAITHFUL
BY CORA CARSON.

There. Doesn't it sound thou.
sand times better than before il was
tuned?' demanded Dorothy as she let
her fingers glide nimbly over the keys
in exhibition of the improved condi
ton of the piano
AT least two thousand times bet.
ter" assented her father, with an as.
sumption of gravity. y suppose you'll
never practice on 1t again for fear OF
spelling it?'
Dorothy nodded so vigorously In
agreement that her short braided hair
tapped about her head She swung
around on the piano stool, which,
since it had had no ministration to its
voice, squeaked an excruciating ac-
compartment to her words. And
then, that old piano tuner would come
back and take a week to fix it."
Daughter. you exaggerate too much.
DO try to be more literal" iectured
her father as he settled himself COM
fortably in his leather chair for the
evening
NGlis AhiS tlliG ~ t0oh Ills IhNN
'zactly five days" insisted Dorothy,
with an aggrieved air of one who has
spoken the truth vainly.
Five what?" asked her father,
amazement in his voice.
Five days" reiterated the little
girl, emphatically
Five days to tune a piano? What
do you mean. Dolly?"
81 thought he was awfully slow. but
he said It was awfully awfully out OF
tune"
but even SO. whatever did he do
all that timer"
well. he came Monday. First OF
all he played long time--to find out
which keys were wrong. spose. He
plays just grand, marches, and
waltzes. and variations Of The Star
Spangled Banner and such pieces, you
know"
"F'ine!" agreed her father. with
mock enthusiasm.
Then he stopped and tried each
note separately"
hdi WASH ~ AHNt woo ~ W Nilt
how long did the concert last?'
Most all day. got awfully tired
of the noise and went over to Kath-
ryns But | told Mary to take care
of him"
Mary Is faithful maid and took
such good care of him that he came
again next day. didn't he?"
Dorothy missed the sarcasm In her
fathers words and continued her ex-
PLANTATION placidly "Oh, yes, he seem
ed to like her. Well, on Tuesday he
took the piano all apart and raised
such dust 1t kept Mary busy clean
ing up around him.
Il see." Her fathers information
was ominous. We'll. on Wednesday"
HE put II together again-but
something was loose. or tight. Any
way, he didn't like the way 1t sound
that Mary and | could tell it WASH t
quite right
so he had to come on Thursday in
order to take the poor old piano apart
again." guessed her father
Yes, and as K was Marys day out.
was glad he was here only in the
morning. so could go over to Katb-
ryns after he went Then Friday
morning he put In what he called the
finishing touches. You see, that does
make FIVE days. But I didn't ask him
to stay to luncheon again, so he final
1y left at noon. You don't care If
didn't, do you, father? did so hate
TO eat with him; he gobbled So" And
Dorothy looked both Disguised and
apologize.
But her fathers patience gave way
and he asked sternly, Whatever made
you ask him 10 luncheon with you at
any timer"
him" Dorothy burst Ito tears. $50
gave Mary orders to have extra good
luncheons and-and-"
But my dear, was Joking" the ex-
asperated father explained
You're always telling me to be
literal" the little girl declared in her
own defense. "Once before, when
MT. JENKINS, you remember, came LOT
visit and you told mother 70 be
nice to him She"
But Mr.. Jenkins is an old friend
and good customer" began her IA
Their patiently, but his daughter fin
ished her sentence desperately:
she had wine for him and made
afternoon coffee. And so | thought
I'd better"
You didn't do that all for the piano
tuner?' cried her father,
Yes. You told me to be nice to
him." walled Dorothy.
Her father fell Imply back in his
chair. Wine" he murmured. Wine
for the piano tuner" Then he laugh
ed ooh, Dolly, Dolly. I'll be glad
when your mother gets tired of travel
ing and comes home to take care of
you again. Then the maid will dance
to the tune of SO Long, Mary But
Just let that piano tuner send in his
n 11f h hi i'm