The Press., 1919-12-18
Haphazard
 G><R By JESSIE E. SHERWIN
Copyright. 1919, by the Western News
 paper UDion)
"All vacations cut to week."


 Copyright, 1919, by the Western News
 paper UDion.)
 "All vacations cut to week."
 Thus the head stenOgrapher of Merle & Co.,. a city mercantile house of eX- tensive 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"
 A rising storm of protest was speed fly repressed as the manager of the establishment came into the room. There was one exception to the general group-Arlne Drury. The others sat with an angry luster of eye. Her hands strayed from her typewriter, nervelcsS, an expression of infinite dis appointment crossed her features.
 Airline had lost her mother 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 stenOgraphy. Her position, a pOOr-paying one, had been thrust upon her almost grudging- ly. and became work of such drudg- cry that she was too tired eve- nings to attempt to perfect her. self in taking dictation.
 To the usual vacation with fort nights extra pay Airline had looked forward with glad anticipation. She had mapped out stay at some cheap, but respectable sumer 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 circumScribCd term of leisure seemed scarcely worth caring for The withdrawal of salary during the period meant deprivation. She had saved less than $2O. When she g,t home that night Airline count ed over her little fund and viewed the prospect dOlOrOusly. She had Se- lected resort, the five hours ride to which would be quite a novel enj0y- ment She retraversed the advertise ments of places nearer the city. Fern dale-the fare thither was loW-if she went on d vacation at all that must be the limit of fare expenditure.
 It was just before noon on Monday that Airline arrived at Ferndale. She found only a lonely station with gen. eral store opposite. She was informed that the real town was two miles dis tant on the lake, comprising a fash +1, ,,f i,h people. There were no modest houses where one could expect moderate board and lodging, and the hotel was a $4 a day house.
 Airline sat down on a bench outside the little depot, glOOmed and almost homesck, contemplating the necessity | of returning to the city. She noticed only casually that an automobile hht | driven up containing chauffeur an' | matrOnly looking woman. The lat ter alghted as she caught sight of Ar line and came straight up to her.
 You are Miss Eva White?" she sait half interrOgativelX- "We have beer here daily since Monday expecting you but feared you had found some other l care of a nurse greatly and she vii indeed welcome you. John, will yoI take the lady's suitcase?' and almOs before she was aware of it Airline found herself in the auto with the good-natured hOusekeeper of one of the show places on the lake, telling hel 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 r herself, eff she does not come, Wha wrong is done by my having a free va cation and one useful and helpful d: well," and both hopeful and tempted Airline Drury lent herself to decep tion that was favored by the non-ap pearance of the real nurse that day and never.
 i For the first time in many years Ar line drifted contentedly into a new eX perience that was delightful. The in valid Mrs. Elston treated her as if sht were some real friend instead of a de pendent The second day her sO1 Harold. a tall, handsome young fellow about two years the senior of Airline appeared on nasty jaunt from thu city. He stared strangely when Airline was introduced under her fictitiou name He followed her inQuiSitivel, with his glance, but when he noted tha his mother regarded fondly. almost lov ingly, he suppressed some powerful i'm pulse that sought expression.
 Two weeks went by, a month. Al thoughts of returning to the city Wer' 1 abandoned by Airline. Harold came t' visit his mother twice a week, and h. could not help but feel attracted to ward the brig intelligent companion of his mother. to whom she was as at tentive and thoughtful as an Owl daughter. Airline divined the dawnin! of a mutual love. each failed to con ceal from the other. and one day, il the lovely garden of white shadows when he confessed his affection. Sh' bowed her head in humiliation.
 q am not Miss White" she began but he interrupted her gayly.
 ooh, I knew that the first day l me vou '" he declared, flor I had received word from the nurse that she coul( not come. When I found you here, ant my dear mother getting better eacl day under your care, l only lOnged tt have you remain. And now"
 That "now'' was the vital hour O. their young lives. where soul spoke t( soul and Airline told all the story O her life to her affianced husband,
 Hymn Strong Men Loved.
 At a memorial service in honor O.