Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1915-06-03
NOT WITHOUT EXCUSE
~ GRACE kERRIoAN.
Copyright. 1915 by the Mcclure Newspa-
Der Syndicate)


baby brother" unused Helen Smith
as she turned into the little white
painted gate of the Peterby home
There was garden crowded with flow
ers growing rankly, and the draperiei
at the windows hung awry as II pulled
by childish hands.
Careless! commented Helen
Smith. spinsterwise.
Her knock at the door brought Bus
ter Peterby, who turned first pale and
then red at sight of her.
Good morning, Buster" said Helen
pleasantly. as your mother inH"
| Come in. please" quavered Buster,
opening the door into a disordered
kitchen.
Helen stepped inside and paused.
In the middle of the room was q
washtub. Over the tub, scrubbing
valiantly at bits of children's gar.
ments, was a big. blonde man, whose
blue eyes met hers without embarrass-
ment at being found in this feminine
employment. A baby chuckled on q
rug; two little girls were eating at
the table and Buster had been labori.
ously washing dishes. 1t was a busy
scene.
"Place chair for the lady, Buster"
said Mr.. Peterby. as he deity wruns
out a pink frock.
ITS my teacher" whispered Buster
in an agony Of embarrassment. II
been late every morning and she wants
to see-mother!"
Busters mother went away when
the baby came" said Mr.. Peterby
gravely, as he resumed his duties
without apology. 81 am afraid am
a poor substitute, but we manage to
get along somehow. Dish washing and
bed making come awkward to a little
boy of eight"
81 should think sol" cried Helen
contritely. you see, didn't know
about 1t. Mr.. Peterby."
He nodded. That's the trouble in
this world-folks don't take the trou.
BILE to understand each other"
II know It; this has taught me a
lesson. Oh, Mr.. Peterby, don't think
you should pour boiling water on those
flannels!" protested Helen.
Then Horace Peterby took lesson |
in washing clothes that he never for
got. He stepped back in respectful |
admiration before this little lady who /
did not hesitate to risk the daintiness
Of her attire in his wifeless kitchen.
When she had finished the lesson
Helen Smith and Horace Peterby were
fairly well acquainted. She could not
help but like the big, blond, blunder-
ing young man who was trying to be
both mother and father to his chill
dren. While Buster was in school II
was his custom to trundle the baby
and the twin girls down to the little
shop, where they remained until Bus
ter came from school.
"Of course the business suffers"
sighed Mr. Peterby, as he shook hands
with Miss Smith.
Helen Smith hurried into the !
schoolroom, quite forgetting that Bus
ter had gone on ahead long ago. 1t
was half past nine and she found a
room full Of whispering, idle pupils.
She, the dictator, was late herself
Ind without excuse. Before the round.
Eyed wonderment Of her scholars Miss
smith called the room to order and be-
,an the days lessons. v
After that Helen often stopped in 8
he little shop to inquire for the baby n
# the twins. On her advice and with !,
Ter help, Horace Peterby restocked !
is little store, and even placed mod.
st advertisement in the village paper.
Then school closed and Helen pre- v
AIRED to return to her home in a dis 81
ant town. G
She babe farewell to her new-found 81
riends with some regret, but there al
1as sorrow In her heart when she m
Used the Peterby babies good-by and :,
trained Busters chubby form to her ~
reast. ~
"You will not return in the fall?" ca
sked Mr.. Peterby, regarding her with VI
rave, inscrutable eyes. so
eve shall miss you, Miss Smith" tn
Il shall miss all of you, Mr.. Peter. hu
=" mo
Her homeward way led along a IN
easant river path; it was the same -.
YER that flowed through Greenville,
ID Helen leaned over the railing Of -
Q bridge and watched it's liquid "
w with dreamy eyes.
She did not see the dimpling river.
range to say, she saw a big young luz
IN caring for four little children LII
tn all the tenderness of a woman Tn
the woman who had been compelled II
leave him alone. Helen's heart mo
at faster for the recollection. D.,
A step sounded on the bridge and a.,
. looked up to see the young man
her dreams, Or-could this young
n, well dressed in blue serge, with
linen and blue tie, be lGn
} disheveled youth who had washed SO
~ garments in the Peterby kitchen? Joy,