Warren sheaf., 1905-08-24
Vacation
for Two


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HE last letter was written and
With q little tired sigh the pack
et OF letters, her days work, was
given to the impatient oflos boy, and
Catherine. the stenographer, hurriedly
crossed the room to the peg on which
her hat and Jacket were hung. With
eager haste she sttired herseaf for
the street. mechanically g1ancing into
the little mirror which hung over the
wash stand. The face which booked
back at her was an attractive one
could have smiles displaced the look
OF care and the broad brow cleared OF
the little pucker which OF late has
come between the brown eyes.
After a ttmid good night TO- the
bookkeeper Catherine opened the big
door and went out into the sunlight.
Never had the out Of doors seemed 50
beautiful as now. This was the first
day Of April and the air was sue-
gestive OF spring; the grass was strug-
Cling up along the edges of the side
walks and the twtttering Of the spar.
rows could be heard from every root
and ledge. Quickly boarding a car
Catherine started on her ride home.
If the day had been one Of tiresome
business routine, vexatious happen
ings, hard work. all were forgotten
now In the bright anttcipations which
filed her mind. Two months more OF
the shabby Office and the noise Of the
whirring machinery, and ther month,
the whole month Of June. she was to
have for her very own To-day the
manager. a good man in his way, in
a burst of generosity occasioned by
the satisfactory termination Of an i'm
portant business transaction, had told
her the joyful news.
Upon reaching home she found her
mother standing at the door where
she had been anxiously watching each
car as it unloaded at the corner.
When the dishes were cleared away
and mother and daughter were alone
In the little sitting room. the good
news could be kept no longer and
ished woman's neck Catherine burst
into such a torrent Of words and
nervous laughter as to almost fright
en- good Mrs Sanders. Just think OF
it, mother, whole month and my sal
ary to go just the same. Oh. It seems
too good to be true" am sure Blank
& Co. would not have recognized their
prim, quiet stenosrapher in the little
figure that danced over the door In IN
ecstasy Of Joy.
No need to question where she would
20. To Vermont, her old home, OF
course. This visit had bsen the dream
of years. but her fathsrs death i've
years before had forcso upon her
young shoulders the necessity Of keep
ing up the little home and keeping her
brother In school. and now for the First
time in all these years time OF re-
laxadon seemed possible.
Brother Tom, who had been an In
terested listener TO the conversation
they sat on the porch. drew. his chair
up closer to his mothers side AMI
said: Ma, why can't you go with
Catherine? 1t seems to me you need
q vacation about as much as anyone
| know" An eager look came into the
mothers eyes, sne tried to speak, uul
somehow th. words would not come,
and arising hurriedly she went into the
house.
For time brother and sister sat In
silence. blame it all. Catherine,
mother FORKS like horse and never
goes anywhere. Can't we manage il,
somehow so she can go with your?
Tom spoke excitedly and it was toe
dark for him to see the sudden cloud
that came over the face OF the girl.
Il honestly hadn't thought of it be.
fore, Tom Mother never seemed tc
care much about it, but l am afraid
it isn't pcssloIe. She would have to
have new Clothes" and she thougnt
with pang of her mothers shabby
Sunday dress and bonnet hIch were
more than we could do to spare the
money for one trip" and there was
catch in her voice that did not escape
Tom
'Oh, well. perhaps she doesn't care
didn't mean to hurt your feelings and
I'm awfully glad you can go. Mex,
year hope to be earning IttI.
more than my clothes and car fare
and then can help little"
That night sleep refused to come te
Catherine's eyes. and look which way
she would her mothers pctient face
and gentle smile seemed to confront
her through the gloom. Mother need,
. vacation" Toms words echoed and
echoed In her ears as she turned from
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