Americus times-recorder., 1919-10-21
BETTYS VACATION
BY MARION C. LEEsAM.

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Betty Saunders listened enviously
while two Of the other stenographers
of the little firm of Brown & Co. talked
eagerly about vacations. One of the
girls was going up on the cool Maine
shore, while the other was anticipating
spending her two weeks on the edge of
a beautiful lake at the foot of the
New Hampshire hills.
Betty'S eyes filed with tears as she
tried hard to concentrate her mind on
the transcrihing of her notes and, as
her fingers skinned lightly over the
typewriter keys, she pictured the kind
of vacation she was going to have.
Her mother was an invalid. 1t had
been hard pinch for Mrs. Saunders
to let Betty go through school, but
she was now reaping the benefit, as
Betty, having studied hard, now held
the position of private secretary.
Being young and pretty, good times
appealed to Betty, but many an invita-
tion had been turned down with re-
gret, as she disIiked leaving her moth
er alone.
Her thoughts were suddenly inter
rupted by the sound Of a buzzer sum-
moning her to the presidents office.
She hastily wiped away all trace of
tears and, taking her notebook, walked
across the hall into the private office.
Seated beside Mr.. Brown was tall,
fair-haired chap in Khaki. He arose as
Betty entered and Mr. Brown intro
duced him
Miss Saunders, this is my son who
has just returned, having spent eight
cen months in France. Instead of 60
ing back for his last year at college he
is going to start in here and learn the
business. You will take his dictation
now, and any inside lines on the work
that you know about l will trust you
to make clear to him."
Jack Brown, Jr.. was so interested in
watching Betty he hardly heard what
his father was saying, and as she left
the room he seemed a little more in
terested in the idea Of starting his bus
iness career than he had q few hours
before.
AS the days passed on Betty spent
much more of her time in the office Of
the young Mr.. Brown, ana realized
more and more how Mr.. Brown, Sr.,
was relying on his son and by degrees
relieving himself of some Of the bur-
dens he had been bearing alone. The
time passed very quickly to Betty and
before she knew it the time came when
she was to close up her typewriter and
leave for two long weeks. Usually
Betty had half-holiday on Saturday,
but today she worked overtime in or
der to get things ready for the girl
who was to substitute for her. Jack
| Brown, although he didn't show it, was
quite annoyed at the thought of her be-
ing away, from a business standpoint,
and then he couldn't quite picture any
one else sitting in her place.
1t was a very warm, sultry after
noon and as Betty worked she felt
happy at the thought of a vacation.
Even though she couldn't go away, she
could at least rest in the shady ham
mock at home, away from the rush and
turmoil of the city.
While she was getting ready to go
| home Mr. Brown, Jr., came over and
wished her a pleasant vacation.
'Where are you going, Miss Saun-
ders, seashore or country?"
Betty flushed and quietly told him Of
her mothers illness and how she was
unable to go away. She was too proud
to let him knew she couldn't afford to
! take her mother away.
That's shame" said Jack, inward
ly kicking himself for being the cause
of her embarrassment. "You work so
hard here in the Office you deserve a
little recreation"
After Betty had gone he thought
over the situation, and his face light
ened as he thought of a plan. At 80
that evening the telephone at Betty's
house tinkled and Mr.. Jack Brown was
on the line
II thought you might like to take a
little motor ride, it's such a warm
night, that is if you have no other en-
gagement."
Bettys heart jumped. 81 would just
love to, but"
"And, of course, your mother will ac-
company US. l think ride along the
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