Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1915-01-15
In the Absence Of the Agent
Business AdOenture of Emma McChesney

By EDNA FERBER
Author Of ''Daun oIIarn. " 'Butisrsd Side Doom. etc.
a. Stokes Company


/ me to a man! Here! II you must
know, though | intended 1t as a sur
/ prise when 1t was finished and fur
nished-rm going to rent fiat, reg
ular six-room, plenty-of-closets fiat, af-
ter ten years OF miserable hotel exist
ence. Jocks running over for two
days to approve it. ought to have
waited until the holidays, so he
wouldn't miss classes; but / couldn't
bear to. I've spent ten Thanksgiv-
ings, and ten Christmases, and ten,
New Years in hotels. He'll has no
/ terrors for me-"
They were walking down the corri-
dor together.
Take me along pleased" pleaded
t. A. Buck. like a boy. Il know all
about flats, and gas stoves, and me-
tiers, and plumbing, and everything!"
You'll" scoffed Emma McChesney,
with your five-story house and your
summer home In the mountains!"
Mother won't hear OF giving up the
house. | hate it myself. Bathrooms
In those darned old barracks are so
cold that a hot tub Is an icy plunge
hefore you get to It," They had
reached the elevator A stubborn
look appeared about t. A. Bucks
Jaw. I'm going!" he announced, and
scudded down the hall to his office
door Emma McChesney pressed the
elevator button. Before the ascending
car showed glow of light in the shaft
T. A. Buck appeared with hat. gloves,
stick.
Il think the cars down stairs. Wen
run UP in 1t. What's the address?
Seventies, ! suppose?"
Emma McChesney stepped out OF
the elevator and turned. Car! Not
|! If you're bound to come with me
you'll take the subway. They're ask
ing enough for that apartment as 1t
is. l don't intend to drive up in a
five-thousand-dollar motor and have
the agent tack on an extra twenty dol
lars a month"
+. A. Buck smiled with engaging
agreeableness. Subway it is" he
said. Your presence would turn even
a Bronx train into a rose garden"
Twelve minutes later the new apart
ment building with its cream tile and
red brick Louis Something facade,
and tan brick and plaster Michael
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. back, doomed
before them, soaring even above its
lofty neighbors On the door step
stood maple-oolored giant in a splen-
dor of scarlet, and gold braid. and gilt.
tering buttons. The great entrance
door was opened for them by a half
portion duplicate of the giant outside
In the foyer was splendor to grace a
palace hall There were great carved
chairs. There was a massive oaken
table. There were rugs, there were
hangings, there were dim-shadeC
lamps casting soft glow upon tapes
J try and velours
J There approached them the agent
, smiling, urbane. pleasing as to man
! ner-but not too pleasing; urbanity
mixed, so to speak, with the leaveI
/. of caution.
} All yes! Mrs.-er-McChesne
wasn't itY / can't tell you how man,
! parties have been teasing me for tina
apartment since you looked at 1t. ",
had to-well-make myself positivel,
+ unpleasant in order to hold it for you
|
4 The glittering little jewel box of al
n elevator was taking them higher an
), higher. The agent stared hard at I
A. Buck.
y Mrs. McChesney followed his gazC
3 MY business associate, Mr.. r. A
Buck" she said grimly.
# The agent discarded caution; h
y was all urbanity. Their floor attained
u he unlocked the apartment door an
n threw 1t open with a gesture whic
was miraculous mixture of royalt
e. and generosity
e He knows you!" Kissed Emma Nj
s. Chesney, entering with T. A. "Ai
other ten on the rent The ageI
g pulled up shade, switched on a ligh
g Strengthened an electric globe. T.
n Buck looked about at the bare viii
m walls. at the bare polished floor,
II the severe fireplace.
Il knew 1t couldn't last he said.
ir IF it did, replied Emma McChe
O. ney good-naturedly, Il couldn't affol
" to live here and disappeared into Il
= kitchen followed by the agent, WI
% babbied ever and anon of views,
AAuu5OHsy Vi OAHAC6b u pdIh
IN as Is the way Of agents from Fiftie
le street to One Hundred and 'Umpt
le ninth.
It, A. Buck. feet spread wide, han
as behind him. was left standing in Il
center of the empty living room. /
le was leaning on his stick and gazil
fixedly upward at the ornate cha
u delier. 1t was a handsome flxtul
OF and boosted some of the most q
vanced IDEAS in modern lightil
az equipment. Yet 1t scarcely seemed
n. warrant the passionate scrutiny viii
ly 7. A. Buck was bestowing upon It.
rapt was his gaze that when the te
rs phone bell shrilled Unexpectedly in {
ee hallway he started SO that his sti
en- slipped on the polished floor. and
Emma McChesney and the still v
"a uble agent emerged from the kitch
Its the dignified head of the firm of T.
US Buck and company presented an a
as mated picture, one leg in the air. ar
waving wildly. expression at OF
T. amazed and hurt
is Emma McChesney surveyed b
wide-eyed. The agent, unrufied, C
IN tinued to tai: on his way to the t
1t phone.