The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-04-01
THE PRIVATE SECRETARY.

THE PRIVATE SECRETARY.
! had found nv hat and was seeking an
opportunity of making my escape unob-
served, when my friend Willard Fleming
caught sight or me.
"Dont go yet, Arthur" he said "
want you to do me a favor. You saw me
with lady dressed in blue -
assented A beautiful girl, with
dark hair and eyes? ?"
"The same,' he responded. Her
name is Lydia Morcton; beautiful, as you
say, and, what is no less interesting, heir
ess to half million want YOU to be
introduced to her and form general idea
of her 1t is a very important matter"
stared.
What part am to play in this mys-
terlous drama?" | asked in surprise ;
surely you do not propose to adjust your
inclination for the lady by what | may
think of her after "A few moments of ac-
quaintance ?"
will explain attcrward," he replied !;
come and see her first"
Very much mystified, followed him int o
the conservatory, where was formally
introduced to Miss Moreton On taking
my place beside her, saw that Fleming
had left us to ourselves. confess | was
not dlspleasrd for found her very charm
ing. We were on good terms immcdi-
ately, and was half inclined to be angry
with Willard when he returned and took
me away from her.
/ envy you," said. "She is exquis-
ite."
| am glad you approve" he replied,
but 1t is by no means settled yet, and
that is why want your help"
wish you would not talk in riddles,
Willard" exclaimed "Tell me what
YOU mean"
Just this" he said, taking my arm
confidentally, 81 think | have produced
an impression, but she is going away to-
morrow, for a year, shall have no oppor-
tunity Of following it up. have gained
her permission to correspond with her,
and you are going to write my letters for
me-"
"I!" replied "You seriously expect
me to correspond with her in Your name ?''
"Ju>t 50, he said. d" 1t is the bright
est idea that ever entered my head, too
Now, write an abomnabe letter and
in spite Of the understanding between us,
might do myself more harm than good
You have an especial talent that way
Everybody admires your letters, for YOU
can produce any impression you choose
You have a general impressisn of her
character; that is why introduced you
If you will undertake the campaign, ad
ding a little more warmth and that sort
OF thing in each successive letter, we shall
capture her before the year is OUT
cit strikes me the course YOU propose s
not strictly delicate or honorable" re-
piled, Indignantly. "What will she think
of us when she discovers the TRUTH"
"Oh, never mind that" he returned
carelessly. After have made her Mrs.
Fleming Ill undertake to pacifv herr
| was on the point Of refusing posi-
lively when Miss Moreton, on her way to
her carraige, met us in the hall She
smiled and gave me her hand. What
was there in her look, her voice, the touch
of her small, gloved palm, that stirred
me so9 What was the wave of regret
that swellcd up in my heart as saw her
turn once more to the door and smile
back her farewell? | stood in a pro-
found reverie until Fleming plucked me by
Nhe arm and said, impatiently:
"Well, what is your decision? Will
YOU write her
In an instant the thought entered my
brain that, though she could never be
anything more than pleasant vision to
me, I might at least retain the bitter hap
pness Of holding intercourse with her for
a time, even if under another mans name.
The temptation was irresistible, and |
yielded.
eyes," replied, "I will write your
letters"
"The thing is done them" he said, rub
bing his hands gleefuIly. "I shall owe
you the handsomest wife in America, and
a half million, besides"
turned away with a throb Of indig-
nant envy, and left him exulting over his
anticipated success. That night | wrote
nv first letter to her and signed it Will
lard Fleming. put all my strength into
1t, shadowing out the conflicting emotions
which filled me. felt that it could not
fail to have its effect, for l was writing
for myself!-as I should have written
had it been my right to address her in my
own name I mailed il two days later,
knowing it would reach her shortly after
her arrival
/ waited impatiently for her reply.
Willard had arranged to have her letters
directed to me- After | had read them
was to turn them oyer to him together
with draft OF my answer
Three weeks later | found an envelope
post-marked France, and addressed in
delicate feminine had lying upon my desk.
tore it open with trembling fingers. 1t
was from Lydia Moreton. In every line
of it detected the effect of the letter l
had written her. 1t was more than kind
it was just upon that neutral ground
which lies between friendship and some
thing more tender. read and re-read it.
| carried it about with me for several
days before could bring myself to give
it to Willard. 1t seemed as if it had
been meant for me. What difference
whose name was at the top ofitp My words,
my feelings, my hopes had drawn it forth.
1t had been written to me but alas
had no right to it.