The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-26
NOT WITHOUT EXCUSE
BY GRACE kERRlcAN.

Copyright. 1916 by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate.)
Buster said he had two sisters and
baby brother" unused Helen Smith.
as she turned into the little white
painted gate of the Peterby home.
There was a garden crowded with flow
!! ers growing rankly, and the draperies
at the windows hung awry as IL 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. us your mother INF"
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 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. It was busy
scene. 49,
place q chair for the lady. Buster"
said Mr.. Peterby. as he deity wrung
out pink frock.
ITS my teacher" whispered Buster
in an agony Of embarrassment Il
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. II am afraid l am
a poor substitute. but we manage to
get along somehow. Dish washing and
bed making come awkward to little
boy of eight"
II should think sol" cried Helen
contritely. You see, l didn't know
about it, Mr.. Peterby."
He nodded. That's the trouble in
this world-folks don't take the trou.
Bile to understand each other"
II know 1t; 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
0nt or hon In f,,1
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 It
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 MIR. 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
and without excuse. Before the round.
eyed wonderment of her scholars Miss
Smith called the room to order and be.
gan the days lessons.
After that Helen often stopped in
the little shop to inquire for the baby
or the twins. On her advice and with
her help, Horace Peterby restocked
his little store. and even placed mod.
est advertisement in the village paper.
Then school closed and Helen pre-.
pared to return to her home in dis.
tant town.
She babe farewell to her new-found
friends with some regret. but there
was sorrow In her heart when she
kissed the Peterby babies good-by and
strained Busters chubby form to her
breast.
"You will not return in the fall?"
asked Mr.. Peterby. regarding her with
grave. inscrutable eyes.
I'VE shall miss you. Miss Smith"
II shall miss all of you, MIR. Peter.
BY"
Her homeward way led along q
pleasant river path; 1t was the same
river that flowed through Greenville,
and Helen leaned over the railing Of
the bridge and watched its liquid
flow with dreamy eyes.
She did not see the dimpling river.
1 Strange to say. she saw big young
man caring for four little children
with all the tenderness Of a woman
Of the woman who had been compelled
to leave him alone. Helen's heart
beat faster for the recollection.
A step sounded on the bridge and
she looked up to see the young man
Of her dreams, or-could this young
man. well dressed in blue serge, with
irreproachable linen and blue tie. be
the disheveled youth who had washed
baby garments In the Peterby kitchen?
1t was. beyond all doubt.
He swung on his hat and held out
his big. capable hands to engulf her
own trembling fingers.
"Girl-I need you." he said choking.
ly. 1--WE thought of you every day
for months-ah, Helen, we all need
your l0ve!"
And Helen. needing his. went
straight to his arms.
escta and Eiourna