Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1922-09-29


\ Heavens above, how sick get Of
this ridei" and Emily Richmond
frowned In disgust as the crowded troll
ley car. lurched along the rails. Week
In, week out, morning and night
hanging on a strap or wedged In be-
tween others as weary as myself OF
the daily. deadly round of monotonyl"
Then her brown eyes wldened and
] the frown lifted as the car came to
an abrupt halt at the drawbridge and
( Emily caught glimpse Of breakwater
aud sea and sails. on far horizon. It
was always that way on the ride 20
ana from the Office where Emily
earned good money as skilled typist
That momentary sight of the sound
caught at whatever wanderlust lived
in Emlly's city-ralsed heart.
And this morning when she was on
her way to give decided mo" to Pc
ter Williams proposal that she share
his salary as assistant manager Of
Horton & Hastings, the company
whose employees they both were, the
distant blue waters particularly ap-
pealed. Oh, to get away from 1t all
to sail and sail and said
Deep down somewhere In Emily's
heart a tiny voice whispered: why
notT
The humping Of the trolley car over
the bridge reused Emily to more than
mere dallying with the interesting
proposition. an do IT." she all but
cried aloud. "I'll do that very thing"
That was how 1t happened that on
that particular morning the office of
Horton & Hastings was minus Its star
typlst. Nor did any of the puzzled
force picture Emily as she actually
was--hurrylng first of all to the bank
and then to the station; sending tele-
phone message or two; buying ticket
to the neighborlng big city; and,
finally settling back In the train with
current magazine, a box OF chocO-
lates and a shrug Of unconcerned
shoulders. Peter felt sure she was Ill,
and kept impatient tabs on the clock
until the noon hour arrived and he
could telephone In privacy to Emily's
boarding house.
Then when he did he turned white.
Miss Richmond" said Emily's land
lady acidly, "had sent an expressman
for her trunks, with never word at
the breakfast table about her plans!"
Life for Emily had become interest
ing at last. A modest room In a mod
erately priced hotel; breakfast as late
as she pleased, and a varied menu to
choose from; sightseeing tours
| through the shops; matinees and con-
certs galore.
Then, oddly enough, so inconsequen-
tial a thing as heavy downpoul
brought the first twinge of regret to
Emily. Shut indoors through thrifty
desire to spare a new suit she had
recklessly lavlshed half a months sal
airy on, she read steadily for several
hours. Then impulslvely she threw
the book across the bed.
LOve-lOve-love! Was there moth
Ing else to write about? Wasn't there
anything else worth while In the
world?
An hour later, and Emily, driven by
sheer boredom out into the storm, took
refuge from the penetrating chill Of
sleety rain In huge moving picture
palace. Settling down In the all but
absolute darkness, she gave herself up
to watching, at first half-heartedly
then with more interest the picture on
the screen. Strange to say, there was
just a reminder Of Peter In the stall
wart hero. Absurd though II was, I'M
der the circumstances Emllys heart
beat trifie faster.
The story progressed, the plot thick
ened and resolved, and at last the
heroine melted into the Peter-like
hero's arms. Emily heaved tiny sigh
At that moment, out Of the dark
ness at her side a masculine hand
took hold Of her arm.
Like a flash Emily leaped to her
feet, squeezed past the unpardOnably
mpudent person at her side with
never glance, and rushed out In the
rain. Then she drew long breath.
She had heard Of strangers attempting
such famlliaritles, but had never sup
posed such things could happen to her.
II Peter could have been there But
then II was only to lone women that
thing Of that sort occurred. Suddenly
Emlly's eyes filled That was what
she was-'a lone woman In strange
city"
And there came to Emily longing
for the dingy old office, with Jim the
office boy lOunging outside the rail-
and Peter working away at his desk
over in the corner, and her typewriter
before her. Work and companlOnshlp
why, they were worth more than
shopping tours and loneliness. moving
pictures and unprOtectedness
Il say, Emily, didn't mean
when I touched you in there"
"Peterp Emily could not believe
her ears nor yet her eyes, although
surely this man at her side was the
man she hadn't wanted to marry
"Yes. dear" said Peter shame
facedly. Here ! am. | hunted up
the exprcssman who took your trunk
and traced you to the city and found
your name on the hotel register. And
oh, perhaps | was unpardonably curl
Gus, but when you realize II was be-
cause | love you, Enlly! Today
followed you into the theater and
after while got seat at your side,
although I kept my head turned 80
you would not recognize me. Then at
The end your sigh was too much for
me. oh, Emily, when are you coming
back to us?"
Emily slipped her arm through
Peters. "When is the next train,
dearT' she asked, huskily.