The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-07-09
tcorCraght lns b. the Mcclure Newspaper syndi-
FRS. EMMA MccHESNEY
NJ heard the call Of her telephone
aeross The ha1f5. Seated 81 the

FRS. EMMA McCHESNEY
M heard the call Of her telephone
across the hall Seated in the
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
fine. The buzzers insistent voice
brought her to her feet, even while
she frowned at the interruption.
"That'll be Baumgartner 'phoning
about those silk swatches. Back in a
minute" said Emma McChesney and
hurried across the hall just in time
to break the second call.
The perfunetory "Helloi Yes" was
followed by a swift change of coun-
tenanee, a surprised little cry, then
in quite another tone-"Oh, it's you,
Jockl wasn't expecting - No, not
too busy to talk to you, you young
chumpl Go on" "A moment of silence,
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.
sock McChesneyl" she gasped. you
why, you don't meant"
Now, Emma McChesney was not a
woman given to jerl1y conversations,
interpreted 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 little. eyes, of
course am. Only, I'm so surprised.
Yes, I'll be home early. Five-thirty at
the latest"
She hung up the receiver with lit
tie furnbling gesture Her hand drop
ped to her lap, then came up to her
throat a 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 ur
at him. A quick step forward
Whats the matter, Emma?"
"Jock-Jock-"
"Jockl What's happened to tn,
boy% Then, as she still stared at him
her face pitiful, his hand patted hel
shoulder. Dear girl, tell me-" HI
bent over her. all solicitude.
"Don'tr' said Emma McChesne.
family, and shook off his hand. you
stenographer can see What will tn,
Office think? Please"
ooh, darn the stenographerl What
this bad news of Jock7"
Emma McChesney sat up. Sh
smiled a little nervously and passe,
her handkerchief across her lips. :"
didn't say it was bad, did II That is
not exactly bad, I suppose"
T. A Buck ran frenzied hand owe
his head. "My dear child" with care
full politeness, will you please tr,
to be sane? I find you sitting at you
desk, staring into space, your fac
white as ghosts, your whole appear
ance that of person who has re
ceived death-blow. And then 20
say, Not exactly badl'"
ITS this" explained Emma Nc
Chesney in hollow tone: "The Bere
Shriner Advertising Company has ap
pointed Jock manager of their, ne1
Western branch. They're opening Of
fees in Chicago in March" Her low
err lip quivered. She caught it sharpl
between her teeth.
For one surprised moment T.
Buck stared in silence. Then roa
broke from him. Not exactly bad
he doomed between laughs, Not e
actly b. Not exactly, eh?" Then h
was off again.
Mrs. McChesncy surveyed him
hurt and dignihed silence. Then
swell, really, T. A., don't mind m
What you find so exquisitely funny
That's the funniest part of til TIL;
you, of all people, shouldn't see tt
joke. Not exactly badl" He wiped h
eyes. ''Why, do you mean to tell n
that because your young cub of sol
by heaven-sent stroke of good fo
tune, has landed job that men twit
his age would give their eyeteeth |
get, find you sitting at the telephor
looking as if he had run off wit
Annie the cook, or had had leg Ct
off"
81 suppose it is funny. Only. IL
jokes on me. That's. why 1 cas-
see it. It means that I'm losir
him"
eff you feel like that. Emma, t,
him to stay. The boy wouldn't go
he thought It would make Won u