The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-06-17
NOT WITHOUT EXCUSE
BY a ERRioAN

buster SAID ne nd0 two hiatera ana
baby brother" unused Helen Smith,
as she turned into the little white
painted gate OF the Peterby home.
There was a garden crowded with how3
ers growing rankIy, and the drhperies
at the windows hung awry as II pulled
by childish hands.
"Carelessi" commented Helen
Smith, spinsterwise.
Her knock at the door brought Nus,
ter Peterby, who turned first pale and
then red at siaht of her.
Good morning, Buster,r eaid Helen
pleasantly. "Is your mother in?r
Come in, please" quavered Buster,
opening the door into a d~isorGered
kitchen.
Helen stepped inside and paused.
In the middle Of the room was a
washtub. Over the tub, scrubbing
valiantiy at hita Of children't gar;
ments, was d big. blonde man, whose
| blue eyes met hers without embarrass.
ment at being found in this feminine
employment. Ababy chuckied on a
rug; two little girls were eating at
the table and Buster had been labori
ously washing dishes. 1t was q busy
scene.
Places chair for the lady, Buster"
said Mr.. Peterby, as he deity wrung
out a 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 Il am afraid ! am
a poor substitute, but We manage to
get along somehow. Dish washing and
bed making come awkward to q little
boy OF eight"
II should think sol" cried Helen
| contritely. "You see, I didn't know
about II, Mr.. Peterby."
He nodded. That's the trouble In
this world-folks don't takeithe trou.
BILE to understand each other
Il know It; this has taught me q,
lesson. oh, Mr.. Peterby. I don't think
you should pour boiling water on those
fiannels!" protested Helen.
Then Horace Peterby took anlessoni
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 90 be,
! both mother and father TO hts chill
dren. While Buster was In school Il
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 &i
"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. IL
was half past nine and she found a.
room full Of whispering, idle pupils.
She, the dictator. was lataE herself
and without excuse. Before the round
eyed wonderment of her scholars Miss
Smith called theFoomto 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 adviceyand with
her help, Horace Peterby restocked
his little store, and even placed a mod
est advertisement in the village paper.
Then school closed and Helen pre-
pared to return to her home In q disl
tant town.
She babe farewell to her new-f0und
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 win not return In the fall7'i
asked Mr.. Peterby. regarding her with
grave, inscrutable eyes.
I'VE shall miss you, Miss Smith
Il shall MISC all OF you, Mr.. Peter.
by"
Her homeward way led along o
pleasant river path; It was the same
river that flowed through Greenville,
and Helen leaned q the railing OF
the bridge and watched It's liquid
now with dreamy eyes.
She did not see the dimpling river
Strange to say, she saw q big young
MAJ caring for four little children
with all the tenderness of q 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-conld this young
man, well dressed In blue serge, with
tFreDroachable linen and blue tie. be-
ne d~isheveled youth who had washed
baby garments In the Peterby kitcheni
It was, beyond all doubt.
He swung OF HIS hat and held out
his bigs capable hande to eneulf her
own trembling fingers.
~ n