Ripley County democrat., 1913-04-25
MARY, THE FAITHFUL
BY CORA CARSON.

luHCu. ubH'dACSu DuiutNg da tIt IGt
her fingers glide nimbly over the keys
In exhibition OF the improved condi-
tion of the piano.
1t least two thousand times bet
ter" assented her father, with an as
sumption Of gravity. 81 sIppose you'll
never practice en- 1t again for fear Of
spelling it?"
Dorothy nodded go 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 ministratlon to its
voice, squeaked an eScruciating &C
compartment to her words. And
then, that old piano tuner would come
back and take a week to. AK It."
Daughter, you exaggerate too much
Do try to be more literpl," lectured
her father as he settled himself COM
fcrta6ly in LIS leather chair for the
evening.
Well, this time It took his Just
zactly five days." insisted Dorothy,
with an aggTieved cir Of one vino has
spoken the truth vainly.
Five what?' asked her father
amazement in his voice.
Five days" reiterated the little
girl. emphatically
"Five days 10 tune q piano? What
do you mean, Dolly?"
Il thought he was awfully slow, but
he said it was ayfully, awfuily out Of
tune"
"But even so, whatever did lie do
all that timer"
Well. he came Monday, First Of
all he played long tlne--to find out
which keys were wrong, s'pose. He
plays Just grand. marches, and
waltzes and variations Of The Star
spangled Banner and such pieces, you
know"
"Fne!" agreed her father, with
mock enthusiasm.
Then he stopped and tried each
note sepal ately."
how long did the concert lastT'
"Mogt oil day. | got awfully tired
of the noise and went over to Kath.
ryn's. Bit told Mary to take care
of him"
Mary is q faithful maid and took
such 5000 care Of him that he came
again no.t day, didn't he?"
Dorothy missed the sarcasm in her
fathers words and continued her OK.
PLANTATION placidly. "Oh, yes, he SEEM
ed to like her. Wen, on Tuesday he
took the piano all aptrt ard raised
such dust It kept Mary busy clean
ing up around him" :
Il see" Her fathers intonation
was omlnous. We'll. on Wednesday,"
"He put It together again-but
something was loose, or tight Any.
way. he didn't like the way It sound,
er and he tried It long time, go
that Mary and ! could tell It wasn't
quite right"
so he had to come on Thursday In
order to lake the poor old piano apart
again." guessed her father
I "YeE, and 90 II was Mary's day out,
I was glad he was here only In the
morning. 30 could go over to Kath-
ryn's after he went. Then Friday
morning he put In what he called the
finishing touches. You see, that DIES
make fvS days. But didn't ask him
to stay 10 luncheon again. so he tiual-
ly left at noon. You don't care II
didn't, do you. father? | did SO late
TO eat with him; he gohbied so" and
Dorohy looked both diegusted and
apologetlc.
But her fathers patience gave way
and he asked sternly, whatever made
you ask him 10 luncheon with you at
any tire2"
"Why you told me to be nice to
him" Dorothy burst into tears. 80
l gave Mary orders to have extra good
hncheons 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. "Qnce before, when
Mr.. jenkins, you remember. came for
visit and you told mother to be
nice to him SHE"
but Mr.. Jenkins is an old friend
and a good customer" began her fa-
ther 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?" cSied her father.
Yes. You told me to be nice to
him." waited Dorothy.
Her fatler fell Imply back in his
chair Wine" he murmured Wine
for the piano tunerl" Then he laugh
ed. "oh. 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
bfll-just let him darel I'll send him
oua for hoard and esTtartainment and