The Washburn leader., 1916-02-18
THAT NAN CHARLIE
sy ROBERTA CARSON.

BY ROBERTA CARSON.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Paula, windblown and rainsoaked,
burst into the living room where her
mother was reading. mo luck, moth
er! There isn't q maid. black, white
or Indifferent, who viii bulge . foot
in our direction just because we're .
couple Of yards out Of town. Nc.
Manus at the employment ofiice says
they're all that way and he can't do
anything about It. I told him to send
out anyone, who came along. A man
would do II he could get one. Oh,
why did dear old faithful Lizzie have
to get married.. And just now Of all
times!" She dropped dismally into .
chair. "What can we do?"
Mrs. c. artland tapped her book
thoughtfully. III it were anybody In
the world but the Remtngtons who
were coming it really wouldn't make
so much difference. But they live 80
well and are so. precise about every.
thing"
"And there's . son coming. tool"
,groaned Paula. "Oh, we just can't
have them. Father might telegraph to
Remington pater that somebody has
died, or that we've had 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"
"Well, 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 it shines. What
ever the Remingtons find, 1t won't be
dirt
Bang! Bang! Bang! went the car
pet beater welded by q round, white
arm. strengthened and seasoned by
many rounds of golf and tennis.
Paula was talking to man. She
had seen him pass slowly along the
side street as II searching for house.
"McManus has sent US man l do
believe.-Stop! Wait a minute! Are
you looking for Courtland's?"
EYES,"
did Mr.. McManus, the employment
man, send you?"
"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 fathers till 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 like q 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. At
the last minute on Friday he helped
iron the curtains after Paula had
shown him how, and then after dinner
he washed the dishes carefully, put
them away and cleaned up the
kitchen.
Then he presented himself to Paula
in the library. Miss, I'm sorry, but
I've got to leave"
what? You can't go now, Charlie"
She sat down with shaking knees.
Sorry, but gotta"
"But-why?"
"My family needs me: gotta 60.
tried tc help all could"
"Oh, you did, Charlie. You're a jew.
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"
Paula laughed weakly. Eyes, may.
be they can, but then again maybe.
they won't, But Of. course you don't
understand, Charlie. All right, II
you've get to go, we've got to let you.
I'll get your money from father. Four
dollars-is that right!"
The next morning the Courtlands
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 greet
cd 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
travel-worn suit and shapeless cap
seemed familiar to Paula. on came
the goggles, and behold Charlie!
The Remingtons enjoyed the situa-
tion 30 hugely that the astonished
Courtlands Joined in the laugh. I'VE
have heard from our son how the land
lies! laughed Mrs. Remington, $50
we are All prepared to roll up our
sleeves and pitch in and help"
ro%Inr fyhaelsnl t3Asnfrs s&An hod a a.