Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-03-02

silver tray, and left Emma waiting
behind "A half-draWn portiere of rosy
silk.
neyond the curtain was an octag-
onal room. paneled in roses du Barry
brocade. The furniture was covered
with Gobclin tapestry; and ON "A
couch reclincd "A lady whose flowing
gown had the color and sheen of
morning cObwebs in a dewy garden.
Another woman. soberly dressed in
brown, sat at 4 marqueterie desk,
but Emma looked only at the lady on
the couch. Never had she looked at
such a beautiful creature.
Madame will receive YOU" said
the maid.
"Is that Mrs. Trent on the sofa ?'
gasped Emma.
"Df COURSE" breathcd the servant,
with much distain.
Emma advanced into the room.
The lady raised her graceful, tawny-
haired head from the heap of pillows;
and her voice was kind and musical.
This is Miss Saxon"
My name is Saxon, mann. | am
from the Gardner agency
Yes said Mrs. Trent. 81 shall
need a secretary for a few weeks to
assist Miss Nosper." and she indi-
Gated with white jeweled hand the
woman at the desk.
II have always given satisfaction,
maam, as a stenographer and type
writer" ventured Emma.
Mrs. Trcnt's good -humored smile
was very winning.
81 am sure of that. but PEN
writer is what | need" she reJOined
quietly. My correspondence, fear.
is too trivial to be typed. So | may
trouble YOU for a sample of your
handwriting? That is the whole
point you know"
Certainly, ma'am," Emma said.
Miss Nosper arose and Emma seat
ed herself in the desk chair. An
angle of of the wall was between the
desk and the couch. She heard Miss
Nosper reading "A concert program to
Mrs. Trent.
Emma found Il blank sheet of
crested paper underneath manu-
script list of charitable hospitals on
the desk She selected one Of the
mother Of pearl penholders, consult
ed the Jade inkstand, and wondered
what she ought to write. Then she
turned her perpleXed glance. and II
met the pictures 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. 1t al
most seemed that he was imploring
her now, so perfect was the portrait
ure and $50 vivid was her remem-
brance.
AS she gazed at the photograph she
became a girl again. She fancied
that she was aware of the pure frag-
rance of apple blossoms the sleepy
twittcring 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 dreary swamp, who suddenly
finds a safe path homeward
Miss Nosper coughed suggestively.
II beg your pardon" Emma ac-
knowlcdged; and she wrote the
names of the months on the sheet of
paper and submitted it to Mrs. Trent
The lady examined it with regret
ful scrutiny. Emmas handwriting
in fact, was the commonplace script
of an old fashioned copybook, devoid
of distinction and character.
I'm so sorry" decided Mrs. Trent
gently; but really, | fear-Im so
sorry to disappoint you"
ITS only an ordinary workaday
hand, ma'am. And, if you'll excuse
me. I'm not disappointed.
Not disappointed. murmured
Mrs. Trent. She smiled thoughtfully
at Emma, vaguely impressed by
some elusive change in the bearing
and voice of this gray, shabby
genuinely sorry that you've had this
trouble for nothing. | feel sure that
YOU deserve help, and that you work
well and hard
IL work hard, ma'am. but perhaps
that isn't anything TO feel sorry
about
For a silent moment each looked
tensely into the others reflective,
rather startled face. 1t was if SUI
pernatural power were trying to
flash "A message between them. But
the gulf was too great; the message
was blurred and indistinct, like the
faulty and unreadable call from the
crippled sender of wireless tele-
graph machine.
Mrs. Trent sighed. without knowing
why. and moved petnlantly among
the velvet pillows
Are you going back to the agency
this evening. Miss Saxon?"
mo. maam, l am going-some-
where else"
II shall take care that your en-
ployer doesn't criticise you because
| sent you away. Miss Vosper shall
attend to that In the morning. Good
night"
Thank you. maam. and good