Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1919-03-20
Faith
BY PEARL B. MEYER
Copyright. 1918, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicatel

/
and with the awful cost of everything,
we simply have not got the two dollars
or even one-as much as / long 70
do It,"
| Faith looked very downcast al sup
pose" she said with a sigh, II might
have taken my vacation at home, and
not spent anything at all. Then we
would have had enough fer few
weeks"
"No, Faith" Her mother spoke de-
cldedly. you owed yourself one week
of complete rest. Don't think Of that
again."
But isn't there something we could
give up in the eating line?" persisted
Faith.
You mean something else" Her
mother laughed. "Dear child, no; IN
less you want us to give up eating al
together"
"You are a very discouraging per-
son." Faith declared. "And the worst
OF it is-you are right. know as we'll
as you we haven't the money; still /
cannot bear the thought of the next
loan coming along, and of us simply
ignoring It,"
They sat silent for awhile, each try
ing to work out impossible plans in
their eager minds.
Mother" cried Faith, suddenly, "Pm
going to live up to my name This
whole blessed country is as full as it
can stick Of So bills. Why shouldn't
a few of them float our way, to our
four flights or in from the air-shaft,
and land right in our yearning pocket
books? 1t isn't reasonable to think
there are so many, many Of them, and
that at least one can't find its homing
way to u.s." Noting her mothers quiz
zical expression, she added: Don't
you laugh at me; I'm in earnest. I'm
going to begin to invite them right
away, and keep ii up all week. She
rose from the table as she concluded.
ooh, youth, youth" exclaimed her
mother with a halfdubious, half-merry
shake of her head.
Faith crushed her little sport hat
eclipsed. "You Just wait and see,'
were her last words as she darted out
of the door.
Her new game afforded her much
amusement. She found herself seeing
50 bills here, there, and everywhere.
Her eyes seemd to pierce women's
handbags, and discover whole nests
of them curled up together.
'Now, If that woman would only
open her purse" she imagined whim-
sically, "out might pop a 81 BILL and
dodge right into my lap, claiming me
as owner"
She commenced to smile at her own
nonsense. The woman at whom she
had been staring glared back savage
ly; then peered furtively down at her
self to see what might be evoking
laughter from her vis-a-vis.
The glare spent its force unheeded.
Faith was absorbed in her endeavor
to figure out how many times 81 the
electric car company engulfed
week.
transfers" remarked voice just
above her hat.
Faith Jumped. ''Two dol" She
stopped and turned red with embar-
rassment. Then she dared not look
up for fear someone had heard her.
The conductor passed on. Faith real
lied that her nonsense, instead of
bringing her in 50, had just cost her
five cents.
Her merry mood did not forsake her
at the office.
"My goodness, your vacation GER
tainlv did you good ~ exclaimed her
next-desk neighbor staring inquisitive-
ly into Faiths happy countenance.
"What's his name?"
1.-TWO dollars" chirruped Faith. enig-
matlcally, as she slipped into the fa-
millar chair.
The week flew past in 4 manner
quite unlike the usual first week after
vacation. Faith found herself cult
waiting a semicomic, semiserious condi-
ton Of mind She dreamed absurdi-
ties which she at the same time frank
Iy acknowledged as such
But although as the days passed the
50 bin failed to materialize, Faith ex-
perienced no disappointment Her
hope was too high Such an unselfish
wish. she reasoned, and so modest at
that; surely the fates must smile on
her sooner or later At any rate, she
told herself the state Of expectancy
in which she lived made her fairly
bubble with eagerness. Her work
seemed easier than ever before; her
fingers performed impromptu jigs on
the typewriter keys; her mind was
never so alert.
But Saturday came and no 81 bill
had found the strength to manage the
tiour flights OF stairs, neither had one
waited itself In at the window from
gIeF. *1ra How