The Washington herald., 1915-09-28
MARJORE'S VACATION.
By LOUISE OLIVER.

Marjorie looked up at the blue sky
between the housetops and sighed
ecstatically. 'Oh. for the country"
Il must start right away to save
for my vacation! Two months with
out lunch and walking home in the
evening will help. Besides. I think
I'm safe now in asking old Mr.. Dodge
for raise of IS a month"
The next afternoon Marjorie. still
dreaming of the country where there
were hills and a river. fields and
fences and barns. could scarcely see
the keys Of her typewriter. Finally
she got up and went to the door of
the Office marked Private"
A masculine voice called Come in"
to her knock.
Mr.. Dodge was not there. In his
place at the desk was young man
in outing clothes. Marjorie decided
There was a resemblance-yet a diff
ference. In the gray eyes was an
expression that made Marjorie smile
involuntarily.
II thought Mr.. Dodge was here"
said Marjorie simply. turning to go.
He is" promptly responded the
other.
Il mean Mr.. Dodge. ST." smiled
Marjorie.
wen, II you hnc~ IHS DcttcE, diu
sure you wouldn't waste time talking
to the old man" The twinkle in his
eyes deepened.
Marjorie flushed. yet she couldn't
help another smile.
IF I thought you had the family
pocketbook. l might have a prefer
ence," she returned. I'm after
money!"
what! You. too! Poor pops! So
am I"
Marjorie had heard vague rumors
of the sporting blood of Dodge. Jr.,
and guessing how the old man would
be likely to receive another demand
for money from his son. her heart
failed. She predicted a vehement re-
fusal to her own request.
"T-perhaps 1 had better not walt.
I think I'll come again."
Look here. Miss"
Brown"
II say. Miss Brown" he plead.
leave you a clear track. If the gov
ernor sees me around he'll never give
you a cent just on general principles,
SO I'll go before he comes in" He
picked up his hat. Good afternoon.
/ wish you luck" And before Mar
jorie could stop him he was gone.
But Dodge. ST., had eaten lobster
for his lunch and 1t was troubling
him. Marjorie met an emphatic re-
fusal. and she returned. white-lipped.
to her desk. The vision of far hills
and winding streams was fading. and
she got of her letters as best she
could.
However, the following morning a
folded typewriter letter on her desk
brought an excited flush to her cheeks.
Silas Dodge repented of his hastiness
and would give her not IS but SO
a month in addition to her regular
salary.
Two months passed. 1t was late
every cent she could spare counted
enough for her trip.
Everything was ready but few un-
finished letters at the office. 1t was
Saturday afternoon. a half holiday.
The outer Office was empty when she
went in, but she heard voices In the
private office beyond. The door was
closed. but the walls were two feet
lower than the ceiling and every word
was clear.
What do you mean by giving Stew
art SO every payday to put In Miss
Browns envelope?"
II mean" spoke up the voice of
silas Dodge. jr. that you underpa,
your employees. The girl honestly
earns more than she's getting"
But why should you undertake to
pay her? II you. would quit spend
ing my money and make a living for
yourself. perhaps I could afford to
pay more to Others"
"You won't have to give me any
more money, dad. have been work.
ing. earned that money myself.
Moreover. have a splendid chance in
the country to demonstrate my knowl-
edge of scientific farming. l leave
today"
Marjorie rose. She took SEQ out Of her
purse and knocked at the ofiice door. II
was only the matter of an instant or two
for her to lay the money on the desk
before the two astonished men and so
out
She went home and unpacked her trunk.
counted the little money she haf left and
did some hard thinking. The two weeks
ahead were hers. Why should she stay
In q baking hot city when the whole
green world stretched wide around her?
She was Q good walker and she could
cay for simple meals at farmhouses on
her way
Therefor, dressed In q plain linen suit
and carryi a very light grip. Marjorie
started forth on Her travels And never
did she enjoy anything - much IN her