The Farmington times and herald. (Farmington, St. Francois Co., Mo.) 1902-1905, 1905-09-01
Vacation
for Two
6susnsu.usnsu.p.usu.u.n.u

of care and the broad brow cleared OF
the little pucker which OF late has
come between the brown eyes
After q timid good night to tho
bookkecper Catherine opened the big
door and went out into the sunlight
Never had the out OF doors seemed so
beautiful as now. This was the first
day of April and the air was sug-
gestive Of spring, the grass was strug.
Cling UP along the edges OF tho side
walks and the twittering Of the spar.
rows could DO heard from every roof
and ledge. Quickly boarding a car
Catherine started on her ride home.
II the day had been one Of tIresome
business routine. yexatious happen.
| ings, hard work. all were forgotten
now in the bright anticlpations which
filed her mind. Two months more OF
the shabby Office and tho noise Of the
whirring machinery, and theL u month,
the whole month Of June, she was to
have for her very own. To-day the
manager, 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 anxlously watching each
car as It unloaded at tho 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
| throwing her arms around the aston.
| ished woman's neck Catherine burst
into such q torrent Of words and
nervous laughter as to almost fright.
en good Mrs. Sanders. Just think OF
! ii. mother, a whole month and my sal.
airy to 70 Just the same. oh. It seems
too good to be true" | am sure Blank
& Co. would not have recognized their
prim, quiet stcnographer in tho little
figure that danced over the floor In an
ecstasy of Joy.
No need to question where she would
70. To Vermont, her old home, OF
course This visit had been the dream
OF years, but her fathers death five
wears before had forced 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-
Taxation seemed possible.
Brother Tom, who had been an in
tercstcd listener TO the conversation
hotwesn Catherine and her mother as
they ant ON the porch. drew his chair
nm closer 10 hIs mothers side and
said. MIA why can't YOU 20 with
Catherine # seemg TO me YOU need
II vacation about as much as anyone
| know" An eager look came into the
mothers eyes, she tried to speak, but
somehow thu words would not come |
and arising hurriadly she went into tn,
house.
For q time brother and sister sat In |
silence. Blame II all, Catherine |
mother FORKS like a horss and never
goes anywhere. Can't we manage II |
somehow 30 she can 20 with your"
Tom smoke excitedly and II was too
dark for him to see tho sudden cloud
that came over the face OF the girl
81 honestly hadn't Thought of II be
fore Tom Mother never seemed 10
care much about it. but am afraid
It isn't pcssiole. She would have to
have new clothes" and sho thought
with pang OF her mothers shabby
Sunday dress and bonnet hich were
seldom worn. ut has been almost
more than we could do to spare the
money for one trip" and there Was a
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 70, Nex,
year | hope to DO earning n mn,
more than my clothes and car fare
and then | can help a little"
That night sleep refused m co,, :,
GATHERINGS eyes and look which wo,
abe would her mothers pctient f,os
and gentle smile seemed to co,sron,
her through tho ploom .rJo,ho. -
a vacation" Toms words ecboed ana
echoed I'm her ears az she turnod sror1