Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-05-14
Mr. Trent's good humored smile was

reaulnB concert program TO MIS-.
Trent.
Emma found blank sheet OF crest. |
ed paper underneath a manuscript list
of charitable hospitals on the desk.
She selected one OF the mother-of- pearl
penholders, consulted the Jade Ink
stand and wondered what she ought to
write. Then she turned her perplexed
glance, and 1t met the pictured face Of
Franklin Trent. She had not seen him
for twenty years.
Middle age had marked him but
slightly. Framed by wide band Of
gold, the masterful, handsome face
was that of the boy who had vainly
implored Emma to love him. It al
most seemed that he was imploring her
now. so perfect was the portniture
and 80 vivid was her remembrance.
AS she gazed at the photograph she
became girl again. She fancied that
she was aware Of the pure fragrance
OF apple blossoms, the sleepy twitter.
ing Of nested birds, the timid luster of
early stars. The lurking dread slowly
vanished from her eyes. That queer
shadow Of apprehension which had
darkened them for an hour was lifted
A resolute, eager light replaced It.
She was like one lost In a dreary
swamp, who suddenly finds a safe
path homeward.
Miss VOsper coughed suggestvely.
II beg your pardon" Emma ac
knowledged, and she wrote the names
Of the months on the sheet Of paper
and submitted 1t to Mrs. Trent.
The lady examined 1t with regret
full scrutiny. Emma's handwriting, In
fact, was the commonplace script OF an
old fashioned cOpybook. devoid of dis
tinction and character.
I'm 80 sorry" decided Mrs. Trent
gently, "but really l fear-Im 30 sorry
to disappoint your
"It's only an ordinary workaday
hand, ma'am, and, II you'll excuse me
I'm not disappointed"
mot disappolntedT murmured Mrs
Trent. She smiled thoughtfully at
Emma, vaguely impressed by some
elusive change in the bearing and voice
OF this gray, shabby woman.
Mrs. Trent sighed without knowing
why and moved petulantly among the
velvet pillows.
Are you going back to the agency
this evening, Miss Saxon2"
mo, ma'am. am oing-somewhere
else"
II shall take care that your employer
doesn't criticise you because | sent
you away. Miss Vosper shall attend
to that I'm the morning. Good night"
THANK you, ma'am, and goodby,"
said Emma. smiling inscrutably.
The supercilious maid led Emma
haughtily down rear stairs TO the sery
ants entrance, but Emma was I'm.
touched by the slight or by the grim
mockery Of such departure from the
house which might have been hers.
The determined smile was still upon
her face She walked erect now, with
her shoulders squared. In the street
she turned her back on the glare Of
the splendid avenue and set or ut II
brisk pace toward the east
With lips parted expectantly and
hrm chin pointed upward Emma hur
ried on, like one speeding to goal.
A blue cloaked and blue bonneted |
girl emerged from saloon jingling |
an aims box OF the Salvation Army. |
Emma tugged coin from her knotted
handkerchief and dropped her pittnnce |
IN the box.
God bless you for itP muttered the
girl.
Emma did not pause 10 hear the |
benedictlon. She turned the corner
into a side street. II was street OF |
old brick houses converted into tene-
ments. Beyond the distant end OF II, |
under the lights OF towering bridge. |
was revealed the sullen current o. the |
river.
The shadowy street would have been |
quiet had 1t not been for the count
less children, but over sidewalk, curb |
and housetoDs they swarmed like fren.
zied bees A desperate bandit Of sew
en- years trlumphantly caught and held
Emmas skirt as she passed. She bent |
down TO loosen the chubby fist and |
found that for lack OF breath she could |
hardly speak.
She waited for minute among the
children, with a hand on her leaping
heart. Then she went into the tene
ment house and up the sagging and
narrow stairs.
The humble room which Emma en-
tered was poorly furnished, but very
neat and clean. A man sat beside the
lamp, reading book He looked up |
pleasanty-a tall, powerful man, al
though he Ind the bleached face OF
an invalid One OF his arms was In
sling.
"Why, Emmy" sald he. what Is
itT'
She stared at him with shining, brim-
ming eyes. The breath caught again
In her throat, and she could not speak.
whats the matterT he demanded,
rising with quick anxiety. i've such
glorious news, Emf The doctor swears
that I'll be back at work within
month, Thank heaven, you won't
much longer have to-why, Emmy. lass,
whatever has come 10 you"
Emma clasped him In her embrace.
"Oh, my husbandp she cried broken
ly. II was afraid-afraid-but ! have
seen without envy what might have
been, and II has been proved to me
proved that I could never have cared
for any one but you. And, John, I love