The Lakeland evening telegram., 1914-01-13
HER LOST Au1H.RI1Y
BY JANE KELLY.


Within the recollection of the fam
lily mother" had never before been ill.
She had tied up cut fingers and filled
hot water bags and portioned out
medicine to everybody else, but never
had she taken to her bed and caused
these services to be performed for
her.
So when she fell Ill recently the
Loffett family was badly disorganized,
as though bomb in good working
order had dropped and exploded. With
united zeal everyone turned to and
took care of Mrs. Loffett. When she
was too i'll to mind they had a lovely
time. They piled on blankets and
then held consultations and took
blankets off; they raised shades and
then decided to lower them; they reg
ulated what she ate and they talked
in subdued tones and kept the light
burning dimly. And when she began
getting better they had grown so to
enjoy their unaccustomed authority
that the invalid could not cope with
them.
"No, no, mother" Ruth Loffett
would say, soothingly, If Mrs. Loffett
attempted to throw back one of her
bed coverings, you must keep that
on. You'll catch cold"
"But I'm really too warm" protest
ed the invalid.
You'll feel all right presently"
Ruth would say in level tones as she
tucked back the blanket about her
parent. "Just lie still, mother"
Loffett was exactly as bad. When
she appealed to him he merely shook
his head and said, Nov, mother, you
just lie quiet and let US manage
things"
Rebellion slowly grew in the breast
of the invalid.
AS she felt the returning health in
her veins her eyes often snapped after
she had been routed and laid low by
oOhlC cOilSllOup VI tbC
The idea that Euth, who was scarcely
past the age when she had been
spanked and put to bed supperloss,
was actually bossing her reused Mrs.
Lotfetts grim ire,
Likewise that Henry, who only
short time ago had been refused more
Jam, should be regulating what she
ate and depriving her of what she
wanted bewildered and irritated her
The day Mrs. Loffett said she want
ed to get up the entire family proceed
ed to shrek in horror
mo, MOTHER" said Loffett, anxious
ly, you stay in bed and get good
rest while you have the chance"
II should say SOL" added Ruth Lof-
fett. And let me wait on you. am
SO glad to do it. Don't throw that
cover back, mother!"
"And if you get up" put in Henry.
Jr., you'll be eating all sorts of things
that you shouldn't You wanted grid
die cakes this morning, remember!
Griddle cakes, mother!" Henry spoke
in tones of horror.
Then Ruth lowered the shades five
inches and Henry absentmindedly
raised them Is inches, while Loffett
distracted the salt cellar on her table
and removed one slice of toast from
her tray. You must not overeat," he
reminded her.
"Now, just lie quiet, mother" they
said in chorus as they left her.
Alone, Mrs. Loffett breathed hard
and glared at the ceiling. Haven't
I got sense enough to know when I'm
well?" she demanded OF herself,
finally. Then she smiled grimly to
herself.
"I'll be all right with this maRs.
zine." she told Ruth when that young
person had brought up scanty lunch
con. "You run along to that card
party this afternoon. shant need .
thing"
"I'll tell Mary" said Ruth. dubious
ly. ito keep an eye on you. / don't
like leaving you at all, mother. You'll
be sure to do something foolish"
"Oh, moi" promised Mrs. Loffett,
while she clutched the bed clothes in
order to restrain herself.
When Mary appeared, according to
promise, to cast her eye upon the in
valid she found Mrs. Loffett up and |
dressed.
"How do you do, Mary?" said the in
valid, casually. Il wish you would 60
back downstairs and bake me lot Of |
griddle cakes at once. And bring
plenty of butter and sirup. And I'll
have coffee, too, and you might as we'll
fry an egg or so while you are about
it. I'm hungry"
The family, walking in upon Mrs.
Loffett just as she finished her repast,
fell against the wall and then stag
gered toward the telephone.
"You needn't call the DOCTOR" or
dered Mrs. Loffett. Il just phoned
h m that I Voc uaI1 opd ha paadp,f |