The Washington herald., 1915-09-19
tCopynSht. 1873
FRS. EMMA McCHESNEY


Office of her business partner, T. A
Buck, she was fathoms deep in dis
cussion of the T. A. Buck Feather
loom Petticoat Company's new spring
line The buzzer's insistent voice
brought her to her feet, even while
she frowned at the interruption.
"That'll be Baumgartner 'phonins
about those silk swatches. Back in Z
minute" said Emma McChesney anc
hurried across the hall just in tim.
to break the second call.
The perfunctory' Hello! Yes" wa:
followed by swift change of coun'
tenanee, a surprised little cry, then
in quite another tone-"Oh, it's you
Jock! I wasn't expecting ''' No, moi
too busy to talk to you, you young
while Mrs. McChesney's face smiled
and glowed like girls as she listen.
ed to the voice of her son. Then
suddenly glow and smile faded. She
grew tense. Her head, that had been
leaning so carelessly on the hand that
held the receiver, came up with jerk
Jock MeChesney!" she gasped, you
why, you don't mean!-"
Now, Emma McChesney was not a
woman given to jerky conversations
interspersed with exclamation points
Her poise and balance had become a
proverb in the business world. Yet
her lips were trembling now. Her
eyes were very round and bright. Her
face had flushed, then grown white
Her voice shook a little. Eyes, OF
course I am. Only, I'm so surprised
Yes, III be home early. Five-thirty at
the latest"
She hung up the receiver with lit
tie fumbling gesture. Her hand drop
ped to her lap, then came up to her
throat moment, dropped again. She
sat staring straight ahead with eyes
that saw one thousand miles away.
From his Office across the hall T.
A. Buck strolled in casually.
Did Baumgartner say he'd" He
stopped as Mrs. McChesney looked up
at him. A quick step forward
whats the matter, Emma"
"Jock-Jock-"
Jock! What's happened to the
bow" Then, as she still stared at him,
her face pitiful, his hand patted her
shoulder. Dear girl. tell me" He
bent over her. all solieitude.
Don't" said Emma McChesney
family, and shook off his hand. Your
stenographer can sec What will the
Office think? Please"
"Oh, darn the stenographer! What's
this bad news of Jock"
Emma McChesney sat up. She
smiled a little nervously and passed
her handkerchief across her lips. 81
didn't say it was bad, did I? That is,
not exactly bad, l suppose"
T. A. Buck ran frenzied hand over
his head. MY dear child" with care
full politeness, will you please try
to be sane l find you sitting at your
desk, staring into space, your face
white as ghosts, your whole appear
ance that of person who has re-
ceivcd death-blow. And then you
say, Not exactly badv"
Its this" explained Emma Nc
Chesney in hollow tone: "The Berg,
Shriner Advertising Company has ap-
pointed Jock manager of their new
Western branch. They're opening Of
fees in Chicago in March" Her low
er lip quivered. She caught it sharply
between her teeth.
For one surprised moment T. A.
Buck stared in silence Then a roar
broke from him. Not exactly bad"
he doomed between laughs Not ex-
actly b. Not exactly, eh?" Then he
was off again.
Mrs. McChesney surveyed him in
hurt and dignihed silence. Then
"Well, really, T. A, don't mind me.
What you find so esquisitely funny
That's the funniest part of it! That
you, of all people, shouldn't see the
joke. Not exactly bad!" He wiped his
eyes. "Why, do you mean to tell me
that because your young cub of son,
by heaven-sent stroke of good for-l
tune, has landed job that men twice
his age would give their eyeteeth to |
get, find you sitting at the telephone
looking as if he had run off with
Annie the cook, or had had leg cut
off"
81 suppose it is funny. Only, the
jokes on me. That's why l cast
see it. 1t means that I'm losing |
him"
"If you feel like that, Emma, tell
him to stay. The boy wouldn't go if
he thought it would make you un-
happy"
"Not go" cried Emma McChesney
sharply. "I'd like to see him dare to
refuse it!'
Buck stirred little uneasily. "1've