The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-02-09
THAT MAN CHARLIE
BY ROBERTA CARSON.

++++++++++++++4-+++++++@-+++
Paula, windblown and rainsoaked,
burst into the living room where her
mother was reading NO luck, moth
er, There isn't a maid, black, white
or Indifferent, who will bulge foot
in our direction just because we're a
couple of yards out of town. Nc
Manus al the employment Office says
they're all that way and he can't do
anything about it. / told him to send
out anyone who came along. A man
would do if he could get one. Oh,
why did dear old faithful Lizzie have
to get married? And just now of all
times" She dropped disnally into a
chair What can we do?"
Mrs CORTLAND tapped her book
thoughtfully. If it were anybody in
the world but the Remingtons who
were coming it really wouldn't make
so much difference. But they live so
we'll and are SO precise about every
thing"
And there's a son coming, too"
groaned Paula. ''Oh, we just can't
have them. Father might telegraph to
Remington pater that somebody has
died. or that we've had a fire, or
smallpox. or something"
They are motoring here from Bos-
ton, Paula. and left the middle of the
week. We would not know where to
reach them by wire"
We'll, then we still have two days."
Paula got up and took OF her hat.
For forty-eight hours I'm going to
clean the house till ii shines What
ever the Remingtons find, it won't be
dirt"
Bang Bang. Bang! went the car
pet beaten welded by round, white
arm, strengthened and seasoned by
many rounds of golf and tennis.
Paula was talking to a man. She
had seen him pass slowly along the
side street as if searching for house.
'McManus has sent US a man do
believe.-Stop, Wait a minute, Are
you looking for Courtland's?"
Yes
Did Mr. McManus. the employment
man, send your"
"Yes-but how
Never mind, There's no time to
talk. No matter what you can or
can't do now-you are better than no.
body and We need you. I'll give you
an old coat of father'sstill your things
come. Then beat these rugs and
sweep them Of. Get the hose in the
laundry and scrub the porches and
walks. Shine the brasses around the
'front.' door and then come up stairs
I've forty windows for you to clean.
Sounds IKE a lot. but it's got to be
done,"
So Charlie banged rugs, scrubbed
stairs. oiled floors. cleaned windows.
beat eggs, stripped the fat OF the
ham. ground coffee. ran errands.
changed furniture and cut glass. Al
the hast minute on Friday he helped
iron the curtains after Paula had
shown him how, and then after dinner
he washed the dishes carefully. nut
them away and cleaned up the
kitchen.
Then he presented himself TO Pauls
In the library. Miss, I'm sorry. hut
I've got TO leave"
What? You can't go now. Charlie f.
She sat down with shaking knees.
Sorry. but I gotta"
"But-why?"
My family needs me. gotta 90. I
tried to help all could"
oh. you did, Charlie. You're a lew
ell. But what will we do when the
company comes in the morning? No
one to do dishes or anything"
Mebbe the company can help"
faula laughed weakly. Yes, NAV.
be they can. but then again mavha
they won't But of course Won dom,
understand, Charlie. All right. n
you've got to go, we've got to let Won
III get your money from father. Four
oollars-is that right?"
The next morning the Courtlanss
watched the clock anxiously. fearful
lest their guests should arrive before
the work was done. But things were
IN order and mother and daughter in
faultless toilets when an automobile
containing three people drew up to
the curb. ~
Mr.. and Mrs. Remington were yraa,.
ed cordially and the Courtlands wait.
ed expectantly for the begoggled son
who was busy with the car outside
Then he came. and something in the
traVetworn suit and shapeless can
seemed familiar to Paula. OF came
the goggles. and behold-Charlie,
The Remingtons enjoyed the s,,r..
tion 50 hugely that the astonisbad
Courtlands joined in the laugh. I'VE
nave heard frOm our son how the land
lies laughed Mrs. Remington SO
We are all prepared to roll IN our
sleeves and pitch n and help"
Later. Charlie Remington had a few
words alone with Paula IN the librarv
where he had handed in his res,zn.-
ton the ufehs hafo-o