The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-04-05
NOT WITHOUT EXCUSE
BY GRACE KERRleAN.

baby brother" mused Helen Smith,
as she turned into the little white
painted gate of the Peterby home.
/ There was a garden crowded with How
ers growing rankly, and the draperies
at the windows hung awry as If pulled
by childish hands
"Carelessl" 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
4 kitchen
Helen stepped inside and paused.
In the middsa Of the room was a
washtub. Over the tub, scrubbing
vaIiantly 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
rug; two little girls were eating at
the table and Buster had been labori-
ously washing dishes. 1t was busy
scene.
place a chair for the lady, Buster"
said Mr. Poterby, as he deftly wrung
out a pink frock.
ITS my teacher" whispered Buster
In an agony OF embarrassment. i
been late every morning and she wants
to see mother!"
Clusters mother went away when
the baby came" said Mr.. Peterby
grayely, as he resumed his duties
without apology Il am afraid ] 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 so!' 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"
81 know it; this has taught me
lesson. Oh, Mr.. Peterby, don't think
you should pour boiling water on those
Hannels!" 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
fr-1... Ctr, -, 4 ITOrooa patorhv xvQrn
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 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
and without excuse. Before the round
eyed wonderment of her scholars Miss
Smith called 'lo 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 a dis
tant town.
She bade 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.
1--WE shall miss you, Miss Smith"
81 shall miss all of you, Mr.. Peter
by"
Iicr nOmtWdIu way hcu dlcn6
pleasant river path; it 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
: Strange to say, she saw big young
man caring foE 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 anc
: she looked up to see the young mar
: of her dreams, or-could this young
} man, well dressed in blue serge, witt
! lrreproachable linen and blue tie, be
r the disheveled youth who had washed
baby garments in the Peterby kitchen
It was, beyond all doubt.
! He swung off his hat and held ou
his big, capable hands to engulf hel
: own trembling fingers.
"Girl-I need YOU" he said choking