Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-10-31

"All vacations cut to a week."
Thus the head stenographer of Merle
q Co. city mercantile house of ex-
tens!ve business prestige and narrow
views as to the rights of their en-
ployees.
Shameful" came an Indignant cho-
rus.
"And no pay for the week spent
away"
rising storm Of protest was speed
lily repressed as the manager of the
establishment came into the room.
There was one exception to the general
group-Arline Drury. The others sat
with an angry luster Of eye. Her
hands strayed from her typewriter,
nerveless. an expression of infinite dis
appointment crossed her features.
airline had lost her mother a year
previous and had been cast utterly on
her own resources. She was not an
expert typiSt and had not acquired
even the fundamentals of stenogrnphy.
Her position, poor-paying one, had
been thrust upon her almost grudging-
cry that she was too tired eve
nings to attempt to perfect her
self in taking dictation.
To the usual vacation with a fort
nights extra pay Airline had looked
forward with glad anticipation. She
mad mapped out stay ut some cheap,
but respectable sumner resort It seemed
to her that alone by herself, mind and
body at ease, she could think over pres
ent and future in clear. coherent way.
The double announcement had upset
all her plans. The circumscribed
term Of leisure seemed scarcely worth
caring for. The withdrawal OF salary
during the period meant deprivation.
She had saved less than $50. When
she got home that night Airline count
ed over her little fund and viewed
the prospect dolOrpusly. She had Sc
lected resort. the five hours ride to
which would be quite a novel enjoy
ment. She retraversed the advertise
ments Of places nearer the city. Fern
dale-the fare thither was low-if she
went on vacation at all that must he
the limit of fare expenditure.
1t was just before noon on Monday
that Airline arrived at Ferndale. She
found only lonely station with gem
eral store opposite. She was Informed
that the real town was two miles dis
tant on the lake, comprising a fash
iOnable hotel and the homes of rich
where one could expect moderate
board and lodging, and the hotel was
81 day house.
Airline sat down on bench outside
the little depot, gloomed and almost
homesick. contemplating the necessity
of returning to the city. She noticed
only casually that an automobile had
driven up containing a chauffeur ana
matronly looking woman. The lat
ter alighted as she caught sight Of Ar.
line and came straight up to her.
"You are Miss Eva Winter" she said
half interrogatively. 1--WE have been
here daily since Monday expecting you,
but feared you had found some other
appointment. Mrs. Elston needs the
care Of nurse greatly and she will
indeed welcome you. John, will you
take the lady's suitcase?" and almost
before she was aware of 1t Airline
found herself in the auto with the
gOod-natured housekeeper Of one Of the
show places on the lake. telling her
enough to know that a well-paid posi-
ton was open to this Miss Eva White,
who had not appeared.
"And why not?" whispered Airline -
herself, "if she does not come, what
wrong is done by my having free va
cation and one useful and helpful as
WELL" and both hopeful and tempted.
Airline Drury lent herself to decep-
ton that was favored by the non-ap-
pcarance Of the real nurse that day
and never.
For the first time in many years Ar
line drifted contentedly into 81 new ex-
pericnce that was delightful. The in
valid Mrs. ElSton treated her rs If she
were some real friend instead Of Il de-
pendent The second day her son
Harold, tall, handsome young fellow
about two years the senior Of Airline,
appeared on hasty jaunt from the
city. He stared strangely when Airline
was introduced under her fictitious
name. He followed her inquisitively
with his glance, but when he noted that
his mother regarded fondly, almost low.
ingly, he suppressed some powerful i'm
pulse that sought expression.
Two weeks went by, n month All
thoughts Of returning to the city were
abandoned by Airline. Harold came to
visit his mother twice n week, and he
could not help but feel attracted to-
ward the bright, intelligent companion
of his mother, to whom she was as at
tentive and thoughtful as an own
daughter. Airline OWNED the dawning
of a mutual love. each failed to con-
ceal from the other, and one day, In
the lovely garden Of white shadows,
when he confessed his affection, she
bowed her head in humiliation. +