The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-02-01

= IduAHu AIeuI QUO 0fA0 uVs Sccu uAAA
for twenty years.
Middle age had marked him but
slightly. Framed by a 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, 80 perfect was the portraiture
and 20 vivid was her remembrance.
As she gazed at the photograph she
became q girl again. sShe 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 1t.
She was like one lost In q dreary
swamp. who suddenly finds safe
path bomewarl
Miss vosper coughed SUCCESSFULLY.
Il 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 50 sorry" decided Mrs. Trent
gently. "but really fear-I'm SO sorry
to disappoint your
ITS only an ordinary workaday
hand. ma'am. and. II you'll excuse me,
I'm not disappointed"
mot disappointed?' murmured Mis-.
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 Saxonf"
mo. ma'am. am going-somewhere
else"
Il shall take care that your employer
doesn't criticise you because sent
you away. Miss Vosper shall attend
to that in the morning. Good night"
I thank you, ma'am. and goOdby,"
said Emma, smiling inscrutably.
III.
, The supercihous maid led Emma
haughtily down rear stairs to the serv
ants entrance, but Emma was IN
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 upOr
her face. She walked erect now, Will
her shoulders squared. In the street
she turned her back on the glare Of
the splendid avenue and set or ut Q
brisk pace toward the east.
With lips parted expectantly ant
tirm chin pointed upward Emma bur
ried on. like one speeding to goal.
A blue cloaked and blue bonnetet
girl emerged from saloon jinglinl
an aims box Of the Salvation Army
Emma tuggcd coin from her knottet
handkerchief and dropped her pittanc
in the box.
God bless you for itv' muttered tn
girl.
Emma did not pause to hear tn
benediction. She turned the corne
into q side street. 1t was street o
old brick houses converted into tene
ments. Beyond the distant end Of II
under the lights Of towering bridge
was revealed the sullen current Of tn
river.
The shadowy street would have bee
quiet had It not been for the count
less children. but over sidewalk. cur
and housetops they swarmed like frer
zied bees. A desperate bandit Of sev
en- years triumphantly caught and he'll
| Emma's skirt as she passed. She ben
down to loosen the chubby fist an
found that for lack Of breath she coul
hardly speak.
She waited for minute among th
children. with q hand on her leapin
heart. Then she went into the tene
, ment house and up the sagging an
narrow stairs.
I The humble room which Emma eI
tered was poorly furnished. but yer
: neat and clean. A man sat beside tn
) lamp. reading a book. He looked u
pleasantly-a tall. powerful man. q
though be had the bleached face O
/. an invalid. One Of his arms WIS In
sling.
why. Emmy" said he. "what
I itY'
Z She stared at him with shining. brin
ming eyes. The breath caught agai
1 in her throat. and she could not speal
whats the matter?" ne demanded
, rising with quick anxiety. 1--WE sue
glorious news. EN-! The doctor swear
! that TN be back at work within
J. month. Thank heaven. you won
;. much longer have to-why. Emmy. las
Z whatever has come to your"
4 Emma clasped him in her embrace
r "Oh. my husbandw she cried broker
4 ly. 81 was afraid-afraid-but hav
seen without envy what might hav
q been. and II has been proved to me
proved that I could never have care
!. for any one but you. And. John. loy
you SOL love you SOL"
Can't Help u.
q The Doctor-And the baby u no be
tap MA Won cot fhos0 little black oil