The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-05-02
LITTLE R9SIE'S FATHER F.:
BY L. M. STEVENS.

Rosie. Wnere was ner 1atner! why
didn't Rachel have beau? Rachel,
who was her mother, had long ago
concluded the child was an oddly and
paid little or no attention to her end
less queries and singular habits,
though oftentimes she would pause in
her work to gaze at Rosie, rocking to
and fro, with kitten Rugged tight in
her arms and singing in a shrill voice
a quaint little song.
Rachel invariably sighed. Her rela-
ton to her child was not Of an init
mate nature. She was always too over
worked to encourage friendliness and,
therefore, Rosie seemed strange and
remote. Romance enveloped her and
she lived in world of her own crea-
ton, far removed from her humble
surroundings. She went to the little
whitewashed schoolhouse on the hill,
and at recess played with the children,
f, but afterward she came home and sat
on the doorstep alone.
One day little girl, who was ex-
ceedingly small, but very important
because her father was the store
keeper, began to swing on the school
yard gate and looked Rosie over with
contemptuous disapproval.
why do you stick after us?" she
asked.
Il don't" said Rosie quickly, "and
think it's mean of you to say So
ooh, do your cried the little girl.
"Id like to know why, when my
mamma said it was pity we respect
able children had to play with you,
and that you didn't have father,
even, and"
My father" Rosie paused. She
knew she could say one Of two things.
He is away" she ended triumphantly
Away! Is he coming back?" she
asked, with newly awakened interest.
YES" said Rosie, "he is coming
back some time," and suddenly she
turned and fairly flew down the sun
bathed road
Rachel sat on the doorstep mending
a garment She was thin and frail,
with a pink flush on her sunken
cheeks and a burn in her dark eyes.
She smiled as the child rushed up and
let her work fall in her lap.
well, what is it?" she inquired,
listlessly.
"They all have 'em-where is my
father" she cried, in little pants.
when is he comm back?"
Comm back?" Rachel echoed in
amazement
Eyes. I told Mamie he was comm
some time"
well, he's not"-an angry light
darted in her eyes-"you haven't one
even, and tell her so If she asks you
again. Little idiots" she added, more
to herself than to the child.
Rosie's arms had fallen limp at her
sides. Horror, establishment and be-
lief successfully came in her face.
The next morning In the schoolhouse
several Of the children were gathered
around the teacher, so Rosie shyly
Joined the group and heard the last
part Of the conversation.
Little Lucy Harlow is going ia
start to school today, and you must all
be especially nice and kind to her, FOL
she hasn't a father"
Oh! oh! Rosie's heart beat tumultu
ously. At last there would be one oil
her kind.
Lucy Harlow and her mother came
in just before the last bell rang. Rosie
did not attempt to probe the differ
ence, but she knew Immediately that
Mrs. Harlow was curiously unlike the
other mothers In the village.
One evening Rosie stood at the gate
gazing up and down the road, until
finally her diligent watch was re
warded. A man, wearing a shabby
blue suit, a gay necktie, patent leather
shoes, and carrying travelling bag
walked briskly towards her.
Rosie looked dubious. She knew
she could not buy soap, and yet
Prince Charming had been too long
in coming to allow him to escape now
that he stood upon their very thresh
old. Rachel would soon turn the bend
in the road, but until that moment she
had not considered that It would be q
very dirty, tired-looking Rachel. A
happy thought suddenly occurred to
her.
II tell you what" Rosie raised her
shining eyes. Come again bout dusk
My mother will be home by that
time"
well, say you're an uncommonly
polite little girl. I'll be back" and to
Rosie's establishment, Prince Charm
ing lifted his hat and went leisurely
towards the village.
When her mother returned, she
said:
"You beat all, you queer little thing.
But wouldn't dress for soap agent
or a prince tonight, why, I'm actually
too tired to eat" and with a sigh she
sank YEARLY on the steps.
/ noup tho rood oaYna tho uoon aponf