The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1911-04-28

should not hear.
II may tell her that you viii call
again. 1 suppose"
please do so. will come In few
days"
"She will naturally be interested to
see you"
Chandler walked away, perhaps bet
ter pleased with his visit than IL he
had seen the lady he had called on.
Mrs. Atherton's secretary was not
only attractive In appearance, but had
delicate sense of what was not prop
er for her to say in such CONVERSE
ton. Chandler was bit dissatisfied
with himself for having implied that
she had been an eavesdropper. He
wished for an opportunity to remove
any unpleasant impression that his
mistake might have occasioned.
When he called again he did not
like to have another tete-a-tete with
the secretary. He was received by
her with message from Mrs. Ather-
ton that she was indlsposed and begged
him to excuse her.
Mrs Atherton has especially
charged me to say to you," she add
ed, that you are not to regard ad-
yersely her not seeing you today and
that she hopes you will come again
soon. She expects to be presentable
within few days"
Chandler did not hurry away. He
called at 8 o'clock, and ut Q he
was still occupied with Mrs. Ather-
tons secretary. Then the butler came
in with an invitation for him to re-
main for dinner. Mrs. Anterior her
self could not be present, but her sec
rotary would do the honors for her.
Chandler accepted the invitation with
alacrity. He did not leave the house
until II o'clock that night.
Fate seemed to be against Chandler
meeting the widow. The next time he
called she had again gone to the city.
and the next after that she had had
fall that had necessitated her remain
ing In bed for few days. Chandler
was enjoying so we'll his visits with
the secretary that he didn't care IL the
mistress remained bedridden for the
rest of her days. Then one day when
he called he received message from
the lady through her secretary that
she had been considering the matter
of Joining the estates by their mar
rage and had come to the conclusion
that the difference in their ages would
be altogether too great an objection.
On receipt of this communication
Chandler stood looking very disconso-
late.
81 am sorry for your disappoint-
ment," said the secretary.
at isn't that" replied Chandler dole
fully.
mot that? Then what Is it?"
"Why, have no excuse to come here
any more
"And why should you come when the
object OF your coming has ceased to
exist2p
"How am l going to get on without
seeing your"
To this the only reply was q dropping
of the girls eyes to the floor.
~ have plan" said Chandler
"Since l can't marry the mistress I'll
make proposition to the secretary.
1t Is not to unite two estates, but two
hearts"
She looked up at him with charm.
ing expression.
"Sit down." she said, "and I'll tell
you story. Your uncle and Mrs.
Atherton were very anxious to unite
these estates, as you know. Neither OF
| them had any idea OF marriage be
| tween you and her. And now 1 have
i confession TO make. l am more thar
| Mrs. Atherton's secretary; l am hel
| daughter. Your uncle suggested Il
mother that the property be united by
marriage between you and me. But
such proposals usually miscarry. Their
plan was TO bring you and me together
you thinking that you were opening
negotiations TO marry mother They
were obliged to let me into the secret.
/ agreed to carry out their plan-that
is-well, provided l liked you"
and you do, don't your said
Chandler in pleasing tone.
"WelI. $685." was the answer.
"Then the plan is to be carried out"
what planT
"Why. the one you have Just referred
to-"
"Oh ! meant the plan of making
you think you were opening negotia-
lions to marry mother"
"Ohp
"That's all | had to do with It,"
81 think you had a great deal more
to do with it."
II don't see what"
swell, while you have been receiv-
ing me In place Of your mother you
have got me used to being with you.
Besides, think how advantageous It
Will be to unite the estates"
II care nothing about the estates"
"Or meT'
81 didn't say that, but / shall not
marry for the purpose of uniting two
properties"
"Then win you marry for the pur-
pose of uniting two hearts,"
81 must be satisfied that such un-
ion will be effected"
81 can answer for myself, but not
for you. love you dearly. and wish
you to be my wife"
II will be your betrothed on trial
If see that our union is TO be n finan
cial one win break the engagement
Such was the practical disposal OF
the subject Chandler went from hel
to his uncle.
"Uncle." he said, "the properties will
be united. Why didn't you Introduce
me to Miss Atherton in the first placer
Because when | was young maj
was introduced to n girl whom !
seemed advisable / should marry.
took violent dislike to her, and sim
ply, ! have since believed, because
felt obliged to love her ! have hat
cause to regret the failure Of tina
match"
The union Of hearts was complete
and the union of the estates followed