Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-05-14
PROVED
"What Might Have
Been"
I
By EDWARD HOLLYWOOD
Copyright by Frank A. Mumsey Co

/.
Emma Saxon TREMENDOUSLY pressed
backward against the partition\ of her
employers private Office and steadied
her suddenly throbbing palms .on the
cool glass.
Beyond the partition, In the work
room Of Miss Gardner's typewriting
agency, the girls had closed their ma
chimes for the day. They chatted soft
ly and gayly while they adjusted In
credible hats over miraculous coiffures
From the lavatory drifted the faint,
clean odor Of perfumed soap.
"The name-did you say the name
was Mrs. Franklin TrentT faltered
Emma.
Eyes, yes" Miss Gardner replied
from her desk. "You must have no
ticed the name In the newspapers.
This Mrs. Franklin Trent needs anoth-
er social secretary for awhile She will
see you at @. The house Is on Fifth
avenue, and here's the address and
your stage fare"
Emma's slender fingers shook a lit
tie when she picked up the coin and
the card, and Miss Gardner frowned
impatient1y.
NOW, for heavens sake, Emma,
don't getrattledp'
But, If you please Miss Gardner, I
can't would rather not Co."
What do you think pay you forT'
snapped Miss Gardner. "You bet you'll
go or else
Very well, I'll be there at O." muir
INJURED Emma Saxon.
81 guess l made no mistake in send
ing Saxon on this job" remarked Miss
Gardner to her plotting pad. III all
you hear about Franklin Trent IL true
his wife wouldn't be keen about hay
ing any chatty young piece Of dress
goods around the house. Poor old Elm
mas over forty and the best hand In
the shop at that"
Emma sided into the elevator, pack
ed at this hour with noisy clerks and
giggling stenographers. She had work
ed In Miss Gardeners agency for half
year, but she had made no acquaint-
ances elsewhere In the building Her
cold, tired face, with its pathetic traces
of former beauty, somehow kept people
from her.
Broadway was aglow and flashing.
Emma glanced at an illuminated clock
and knotted her coin thriftily In a
handkerchief. The pavement was
slushy with melted snow, and her
shoes were worn, but 10 cents meant
II breakfast, and she had time enough
to walk
Finally u cross town street led her
to Mrs. Franklin Trents magnificent
new house ON the Emma had
never identified It before. The ornate
front Of the stone mansion, tumble
of costly carving, was an architectural
joke, but Emma did not seem to be
amused. Her lips shlvered strangely
as she climbed the broad steps.
For the house would have been her
own If she In her fathers orchard
twenty years ago had whispered a
yes instead Of mo" to young
Frank Trent on the night when he left
their Connecticut village to seek his
fortune In the western copper mines.
A llveried footman swung the heavy
door and surveyed Emma Saxon briefly.
"If you please, IL have an appoint
ment here at O." said she, and offered
Miss Gardeners card.
"0ther entrance" said the fOotman.
But trim lady's maid now appear
ed from behind a pillar.
zone minute, Mr.. Hlbbs," she inter
posed, scanning the card. Madam
expects a--Oh, yesI l will bring her to
madam. II will be quicker 30"
The maid crossed the lofty hall, and
Emma followed, with shoulders bent,
as II the luxury Of the house oppress-
ed them like a burden. Mr.. Hibbs
yawned, examining his finger nails.
At door near the head OF the stair
case Emma's guide pressed the con-
cealed knob of an electric annunciator.
A second maid opened the door silent
Iy, placed the card on silver tray and
left Emma waiting behind half
drawn portiere OF rosy silk
Beyond the curtain was an OctagOnal
room paneled In rose Du Barry bro
cade. The furniture was covered with
Gobelin tapestry, and on a couch re
cllned lady whose flowing gown had
the color and sheen OF morning cob
webs In dewy garden. Another wo-
man, soberly dressed in brown, sat at
a marqueterie desk, but Emma looked
only at the lady on the couch. Never
had she looked at such a beautiful
creature.
MADAM will receive you" said the
maid.
as that Mrs. Trenton the SOLAR
gasped Emma.
"Of course" breathed tho servant,
with much disdain.
Emma advanced into the room. The
lady raised her graceful, tawny haired
head from the hemp OF pillows, and her
voice was kind and musical
"Thls Is Miss SaxonT
my name IL Saxon, ma'am. am
from the Gardner agency"
YES" said Mrs. Trent II shall need
n secretary for few weeks TO nssist
Miss Vosper," and she indicated, with
n jeweled hand, the woman mt the desk.
IT hive always given satisfaction,
mn'nm. aS stenographer and type
writer" ventiued Emma.