Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1911-09-01

BY Oliver L. Mitchell

citation, 1911.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
When Chandler came home from
college his uncle told him that he had
a special plan for him. Chandler was
an orphan who had Inherited a large
estate, and his uncle was his guard
Ian and would be for a few months,
when the heir would come Of age. A
widow Of the name of Anterior had
bought some contiguous property that
Chandler had long coveted. She was
forty years Of age, but Chandler's
guardian proposed that he should
marry her. The benefit to his es-
tate would be considerable. Chandler
said he would look into the matter
and about week after his return
strolled over to pay his respects to his
new neighbor.
1t was a hot morning, and Chandler
III thin white flannel suit and a
straw hat entered the gate of the
Anterior grounds and strolled up the
walk toward the house. A young
girl sat on a rustic bench under a
tree reading. 1t occurred to the visi-
tor that he would 60 over to where
she was sitting and ask II Mrs. Ather-
ton was at home. Besides, he might
elicit some preliminary information
about the widow Leaving the walk,
he approached the girl. She was
pretty, but so plainly dressed that
Chandler was in doubt as to her posi-
ton. However, he lifted his hat po-
lltely and asked
BEG pardon, but can you tell me If
Mrs Atherton is at homer
"Not this morning She has gone ia
the CITY,"
"Um! Ali I'm sorry to miss her.
Hearing that had a new neighbor,
/ came over to call upon her"
cts very hot, and you look tired
Won't you rest yourselfr The girl
moved to one end of the bench that he
might occupy the other.
"Thank you very much" he replied,
seating himself.
This was all very fortunate. He
would have an opportunity to chat
about the widow.
perhaps You will be good enough to
say to Mrs. Atherton on her return
that Mr.. Herbert Chandler, a neigh
Dor, called TO pay his respects"
"Mr Bussing's nephew%
Eyes"
"Mr. Bussing has spoken to Mrs
Anterior about you. He said he
thought you would call"
"Uml Are you relative Of Mrs
AthertonT'
81 may say that am, for my
mother and Mrs. Anterior are as
closely allied as II they were one per
SON."
"And you areT
"Mrs. Atherton's secretary"
Indeed"
"And her amanuensls. She writes.
you know"
81 was not aware Of that. pre-
sumo that her absence gives you
leisure TO enjoy yourself out in this
pleasant nook reading"
at does"
as Mrs Atherton an elderly or a
young woman"
Between forty and forty-five."
IT hear she is very handsome and
appears far younger than that"
He had heard no such thing. He
was working the pump handle. The
girl smiled.
Something amuses you" he added
soberly.
excuse me. may as well confess
that I know your errand. l heard
Mrs. Anterior and your guardian
uncle talking over the union Of the
two estates. II is quite natural that
you should be interested to learn
something about her, especially what
you have just referred to, since she is
so much older than you"
Chandler drew within himself. How
did It happen" he said coldly, "thnt
you overheard"-
sides. Mrs. Atherton told me all about
the matter as soon ms your uncle had
departed"
"May ask IL she was favorably dis
posed toward the planW
"She was very much interested in
the matter Of uniting the two proper
ties She said 1t would very much
enhance the value of both"
"But marrying a man younger than
herselfT
IAN that part Of 1t you must get
from her" This was said in a tone
that indicated she had not relished
the implied charge Of eavesdropping.
81 beg pardon. I should not have
expected you to reveal what is OF ne
cessity a confidence. Since we have
progressed 30 far In discussing the
matter may ask-Just an opinion,
you know-what you would think OF
such a match?"
az? Oh, wouldn't think of giving
an opinion on a matter that concerns
you and Mrs. Atherton."
"YOu consider It very mercenary,
suppose"
~ certainly would unless you came
to love each other"
In this vein they chatted on for
some time, when Chandler arose.
II presume" he said, that you will
inform Mrs. Atherton OF this meeting
and so much Of whnt has passed be-
tween us as you think will interest
her"
"If you desire It shall consider the
meeting and all that has been said
confidential"