The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-11-10
MARY, The Faithful
Dy CORA CARSON.

tuned?" demanded Dorothy a. 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 a.
sumption Of gravity. II suppose you'll
never practice on It again for fear Of
spelling IT."
Dorothy nodded 20 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 &C
compartment to her words. And
then. that old plano tuner would come
back and take q week to fix It."
Daughter, you exaggerate too much.
Do try to be more literal" lectured
her father a. he settled himself COM
fortably in his leather chair for the
evening.
well, this time 1t took his Just
'zactly Eve days." insisted Dorothy,
with an aggrieved air Of one who has
spoken the truth vainly.
Five what?" asked her father.
Amusement in his voice.
Five days." reiterated the little
girl, emphatically.
Five days to tune . piano? What
do you mean, Dolly?"
! IT 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 a long time-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"
"Fine!" agreed her father. with
mock enthusiasm.
"Then he stopped and tried each
note separately"
"That wasn't 80 grand, was It? Well,
how long did the concert last?"
Most all day. got awfully tired
Of the noise and went over to Kath-
ryn's. But told Mary to take care
Of him"
MARY 10 a 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 plano all apart and raised
such dust 1t kept Mary busy clean.
ing up around him."
II see." Her fathers intonation
was ominous. well. 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, 30
that Mary and I could tell It wasn't
quite right"
$50 he had to come on Thursday in
order to take the poor old piano apart
again." guessed her father.
Eyes. and a. It was Mary's day out.
was glad he was here only in the
morning, so I 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 does
make I'VE days. But didn't ask him
to stay to luncheon again. 30 he final.
ly left at noon. You don't care II
didn't, do you. father? l 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 eternity. Whatever made
you ask him y luncheon With you at
any timer"
SWhy, you told me to be nice to
him." Dorothy burst into TEAM; SO
/ gave Mary orders to bare s.s. GOOD
lu9sheons anA-and-"
"elt, my dear. was Joking" the ex
asperated father explained.
You're always telling me to bt
LITERAL" the little girl declared ~ hel
own defense. "Once before, wher
Mr.. jenkins, you remember. came fol
q visit and you told mother to b.
nice to him she"
But Mr.. jenkins b an old frisnt
and q good customer" began her "a
Their patiently, but his daughter IN
ished her sentence desperately:
she had wine for him and mad
afternoon coffee. And 30 I though
I'd better"
you didn't do that all for the plan
tuner?" cried her father.
Yes. You told me to be nice :
him." walled Dorothy.
Her father fell Imply back In hi
chair. "Wine," he murmured. win
for the piano tuner!" Then he laugh
ed. "Oh. Dolly. Dolly, I'll be gla
when your mother gets tired Of trave
ing and comes home to take care {
you again. Then the maid will dane
to the tune Of SO Long. Mary Br
just let that piano tuner send in h'
bill-just let him dare! I'll send hill
one for board and entertainment an
'extras'!' Daily News.
Foolish Celebrank