The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-22
THE EVENING o
Beth's vacation.
(By Constance Brevoort.)

AN go 49,
| among the mills. Beth Tilton pressed
her pretty nose against the car win
| dow to wave a last farewell at her
mother and younger sister on the sta
ton platform.
At last their forms faded from view
and Beth leaned back tired with the
| preparations for his long anticipated
Vacation-almost fearful that she
would awake to find it a dream after
all.
Beth had been saving none for
three years to AXE a few weeks vaca-
ton from the Office where she worked;
but each year had seen the money di-
verified to some other necessary object
and Beth had spent her vacations at
home.
{. But this year had proved to be an
exception. She had heard of a pleas
ant farm house tucked away among
the Litchfield hills and she a written
and engaged board for four weeks.
Now, she was actually on her way
there. Her trunk was in the baggage
car and her we'll filled suit case was
beside her in the coach. From her
arm dangled a leather handbag con-
tanning her money-ffty dollars-and
her trunk check.
Three hours passed before the train
reached the little red painted station
which marked Beth's tinatio h
arose and made her way with diff
Guilty past the stout woman who had
occupied more than half of her seat
and who made no attempt to arise
when the train stopped.
Beth was the only passenger at Red
station and she saw her trunk bounced
from the baggage car to the platform
as the train moved on.
The station agent came out and
ooked c~uriously at the pretty girl with
the wide, expectant eyes that could
not see enough in that first glimpse of
the rolling hills, the stately trees, the
flash of bird wings in the thickets and
--o-Y1a
midsummer day in the real country.
81 reckon you belong to this here
trunk" remarked the man with a good
natured grin.
lis there a stage or any kind of con-
here?" Beth looked around
as she spoke.
1.-The Wildwood wagon came up this
morning after some boarders-Joe said
he wouldn't come up again till the 6
O'Clock train. You got some time to
wait"
How far is it?''
ooh, a couple of miles down the east
O'Clock. Il believe I will walk she de-
cided. "Will you please have my trunk
put on the wagon when it comes to-
night?" She, opened her handbag and
gave the man a quarter, and before
she closed it again she noticed some
thing unusual about it.
What was it? Her heart almost STOP
PED beating as she realized that the
little channels bag containing her cher
ished fifty dollars had disappeared.
For a dazed instant she tried to re-
call when it might have been taken.
There a been just one opportunity.
She had felt a sudden tug at the bag
during her journey, and had olsen
tangled it from the fringes of the stout |
woman's gown. The woman had helped
her with great amiability.
Her money was gone-her vacation |
was gone, too. The change in her little
purse would not buy her return ticket
to New York. She decided to walk
Town to Wildwood farm and write
home to her father for money to re-
turn home.
The walk to the farm was most I'M
happy for poor Beth. She was tired
and dusty and very warm when she
the gates. 1t did not add to
her self-possession to see the shady |
porches filed with daintily gowned
and the tennis courts gay with
young men n girls.
This was the reason why Beth
to enter the wide carriage gate
and keep on around to the kitchen
where a tired-looking woman in
a neat Bingham dress was churning.
oh, here you are at lastI' she cried
in a relieved tone. I'm sorry you had
to walk all the way-you must be tired.
Joe didn't wait for the 3 o'clock train.
thought if o didn't come at noon
you wouldn't be here till night, and I
was wondering how L was going to get
supper without you."
Beth stared aghast at this recep-
ton. 1t was evident that Mrs. Marsh
had mistaken her for some other ex-
pected person. In a few words she
who she was and the disas-
ter that had befallen her finances.
I'm awful sorry, Miss Tilton," said
Mrs. Marsh when Beth had finished
her story, and it seems too bad that
you have to lose your vacation after
all-if it was out of the season I'd tell
you to stay anyway but we're crowd
ed, of course, and every room is en-
I can rent yours tomorrow"
"Of course L will pay you for the
day or so 1 shall remain" explained
MY land 1 wish you was a wait
ess-Tm so short of help" bemoaned
Mrs. Marsh, suddenly returning to a
that appeared to be on her
mind. annie Brian left yesterdayi
and I sent to for another
girl, and I've been expecting her by
every train. To tell you the truth ri
"Woulnd't ! do?" asked Beth
you wouldn't want it, though it'sl
work, Miss Tilton,r said Mrs.
Marsh. eagerly.
"I1 do it, agreed Beth, eff you
will allow me to spend every afternoont