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

"What Might Have :,
Been" ;.
By EDWARD BOlTWOOD Z
Ppyright by Frank A. Munsey Co.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
una Saxon TREMENDOUSLY pressed
ward against the partition Of her
byer's private Office and steadied
uddenly throbbing palms on the
glass.
POND the partition, In the work
Of Miss Gardner's typewriting
~. the girls had closed their ma
y for the day. They chatted soft
I'D gayly while they adjusted in
BILE hats over miraculous coiffures.
the lavatory drifted the faint,
odor OF perfumed soap.
be name-did you say the name
Mrs. Franklin TrentT" faltered
ba.
Is. yes" Miss Gardner replied
her desk You must have no.
the name in the newspapers.
Mrs. Franklin Trent needs anoth-
cial secretary for awhile. She will
you at & The house Is on Fifth
hue. and here's the address and
stage fare"
hma's slender fingers shook a lit
When she picked up the coin and
card, and Miss Gardner frowned
Atiently.
low. for heavens sake. Emma.
g get rattledr'
But, II you please. Miss Gardner. I
I'll would rather not 60"
What do you think l pay you forr
bped Miss Gardner. you bet you'll
d else
yery well, III be there ut G." MUIR
led Emma Saxon.
. guess I made no mistake in send
Saxon on this job" remarked Miss
1ner to her blotting pad. IF all
hear about Franklin Trent Is true
wife wouldn't be keen about hav-
any chatty young piece Of dress
Is around the house. Poor old En-
over forty and the best hand In
shop at that"
nma sided Into the elevator. pack
{ this hour with noisy clerks and
Hing stenographers. She had work.
IN Miss Gardner's agency for half
BAR, but she had made no acquaint-
es elsewhere in the building. Her
tired face. with its pathetic traces
brmer beauty. somehow kept people
b her.
Roadway was aglow and flashing.
ma glanced at an Illuminated clock
knotted her coin thriftily in a
ikerchef. The pavement was
jhy with melted snow. and her
Is were worn. but 10 cents meant
Breakfast. and she had time enough
Falk.
lnally a cross town street led bel
Mrs. Franklin Trent's magnificent
house on the avenue. Emma had
Ter identified It before. The ornate
mt Of the stone mansion. tumble
costly carving. was an architectural
BE. but Emma did not seem to bt
)used. Her hps shivered strangely
she climbed The broad steps
For the house would have been bel
IN II she In her fathers orchart
|enty years ago had whispered
10" instead Of q mo- to younl
'ank Trent ON the night when he lef
cir Connecticut village to seek hii
rtune in the western copper mines.
IL.
A hveried footman swung the heavI
Or and surveyed Emma Saxon briefly
Flf you please. IL have an appoint
ent here at q" said she. and offeret
)ss Gardeners card.
rOther entrance" said the footman.
But a trim lady's maid now appear
from behind pillar.
tOne minute. Mr.. Hibbs," she inter
bed. scanning the card. MADAM
pects a-oh. yes! I will bring her t
Sdam. It will be quicker So"
The maid crossed the lofty hall. ant
bma followed. with shoulders bent
II the luxury Of the house Cypress
them like a burden. Mr.. Hibb
wned. examining bis finger nails.
1t a door near the head Of the stall
be Emma's guide pressed the cor
Ned knob of an electric annunciatoI
becond maid opened the door silent
placed the card on silver tray an
} Emma waiting behind a hal
Awn portiere Of rosy silk.
Beyond the curtain was an octagona
>m paneled In rose Du Barry brt
e. The furniture was covered wit
belin tapestry. and on a couch re
bed a lady whose flowing gown ha
color and Sheen Of morning cot
bs in a dewy garden. Another VIC
b, soberly dressed in brown. sat a
narqueterie desk. but Emma locke
y at the lady on the couch. Neve
she looked at such a beautifr
Ature.
Madam will receive you." said tn
ID.
Is that Mrs. Trenton the sofa !
)ped Emma.
Df course" breathed the servan
b much disdain.
mma advanced into the room. Th
raised her graceful. tawny hare
I'd from the heap Of pillows. and be
Re was kind and musical.
rbis is Miss Saxonr'