The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-28
NOT WITHOUT EXCUSE
BY GRACE KERRIGAN.


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 garden crowded with flow
ers growing rankly, and the draperies
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. "Is your mother in?"
Come in, please; quavered Buster
opening the door into a disordered
kitchen.
Helen stepped inside and paused.
In the middle Of the room was a
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 a
rug; two little girls were eating at
the table and Buster had been labori-
ously washing dishes. 1t was a busy
scene.
place a chair for the lady, Buster"
said Mr.. Peterby, as he deftly wrung
out a pink frock.
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. Il am afraid l am
poor substitute, but we manage to
get along somehow. Dish washing and
bed making come awkward to little
boy of eight"
81 should think SOL" cried Helen
contritely. "You see, l 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"
Il know it; this has taught me a
lesson. Oh, Mr. Peterby, don't think
you should pour boiling water on those
fiannels!" 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
/ AiA pOt hac totn IN rio tha dot INT
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 hand'
with Miss Smith.
Helen Smith hurried into thu
schoolroom. quite forgetting that Bus
ter had gone on ahead long ago. l
was half past nine and she found ,
room full Of whispering, idle pupils.
She, the dictator. was late herself
and without excuse. Before the round
eyed wonderment Of her scholars Mis-
Smith called the room to order and be
gan the days lessons.
Altar thot Ho1nv nffovn utopnoA 4,
the little shop to inquire for the bah.
or the twins. On her advice and will
her help, Horace Peterby restocke'
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 bade farewell to her new.foun'
friends with some regret, but Their
was sorrow in her heart when sh
kissed the Peterby babies good-by ant
strained Busters chubby form to he
breast.
you will not return in the fall?
asked Mr.. Peterby, regarding her will
grave. inscrutable eyes.
I'VE shall miss you, Miss Smith,"
81 shall miss all Of you, Mr.. Peter
BY"
Her homeward way led along
pleasant river path; 1t was the sam
river that flowed through Greenville
and Helen leaned over the railing o
the bridge and watched its liQui'
flow with dreamy eyes.
She did not see the dimpling river
Strange to say, she saw big youni
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 hear
beat faster for the recollection.
A step sounded on the bridge ant
she looked up to see the young mai
Of her dreams, or-could this younl
man, well dressed in blue serge. will
irreproachable linen and blue tie, b.
the disheveled youth who had washes
baby garments in the Peterby kitchen
1t was, beyond all doubt.
He swung of his hat and held gu
his big, capable hands to engulf he
own trembling fingers.
Girl need you," he said choking
". 1--WE thought Of you every da!
for months-ah. Helen, we all neet
your love!"
And Helen. needing his, wen