The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1913-08-27
in THE BIG CITY
Mothers Advice Not to Be Fool
ish Was Strictly Lived
Up To.
BY II. M. EGBERT.

It was Lucy Bentwich's first posi-
tion in the big city. She had gone
there from the little Ohio town in
which she was born, taking with her
hundred dollars, the accumulated
savings from years salary as teach
er in the village school. But she was
ambitious to do better than she mad
done. She was a conscientious, clev-
er girl, and an expert stenographer.
"Goodby, DEAR" said her father. kiss
:ing her. "Td like to keep you here,
but I guess the farm amt for girl
like you. Don't forget to write to me
tf you want any money"
Her mother added more-shrewd
advice. though she was but country
woman. Still, human nature Is the
same everywhere, in country or city.
: Il know you'll always be good,
Lucy" she said, 'but don't ever be
foolish. That's where the danger lies
Just plain foolishness that gets mis-
understood"
And now, with only half her money
gone, she had secured position in
the law Office Of Rodertck Brans-
combe, the young lawyer who was so
sought after by clients. At the age
OF five and. thirty he had already es-
tablished himself as leader at the
tar. And he was as honest as the day
Lucy discovered that very early in
her work with him.
He called her into his private Office
the third week. miss Bentwich," he
said, II want you to be my private Sec
retary. Miss Kekewich Is leaving to
be married. The salary viii be thirty
dollars a week-please don't start;
it isn't too much for yoz."
Their work threw them constantly
together, both inside the Office and
out On one occasion Miss Bent
wich received telephone message to
hurry to court with bundle Of papers
which her employer had accidentally
left behind him. Two o'clock found
them free-and famished.
What do you say to a little lunch
with me?' he asked.
M That was one of the things that
girls must not do, Lucy knew. But
Mr.. Branscombe seemed different. Be-
sides, he was not a married man-of
that she felt sure, from sundry COM
munications which she had taken over
the telephone for him concerning his
housekeeper and other items incident
III to bachelors career.
"Al right" she said, gleefully, and
he took her to the finest restaurant
In town. Many client, seated at
some other table, looked admiringly
ut the woman in the well-ftting gown,
and wondered who she was. It paid
Branscombe to be seen with her, had
she ealy suspected it. But she thought
e nothing except that the dinner was
excellent, and her employers man
1er charming, and that she was very
happy.
However, prudence dictated that
she should be rather more reserved
with him the following day. Mr.. Brans-
eombe noticed this, but said nothing.
gradually her manner thawed. They
were becoming fast friends. Neither
Of them suspected that this friend
ship was ripening into intimacy.
It was a little event that opened
Lucy's eyes, though it might have
been big one. Mr.. Branscombe had
been defending fellow lawyer against
whom a dissatisfied employe had
brought charge Of a serious nature
His client was acquitted. On the fol-
lowing morning Lucy, entering the Of
fee, heard voices raised in loud alter
cation, then an oath and threat.
She ran into her employers room.
The fellow whose charge had failed
held Branscombe by the throat, with
his right hand he was striving to de-
press the muzzle of a revolver into
Hne with Branscombe's body. Brans-
combe held his assailant's hand, but
he was no match for him in strength.
Inch by inch the weapon was falling
into position. Lucy Bentwich scream
ed and flung herself upon him. That
gave Branscombe his opportunity to
disarm the man, and a moment later
q policeman, whom the clerks had
summoned, came running into the
room. Then Lucy collapsed into Brans-
combe's arms.
She must have tainted, for Lad she
been conscious she would never have
permitted such thing-never! And
yet that kiss that awakened her thrill
ed her whole being, 50 that she could
only lie still and motionless In his
arms, while he rained kisses upon her
ltps.
"My darl1ng-my own" he whis-
pered
Was this what her mother had
meant by "foolishness?" Lucy often
wondered In the days that followed.
at first the sweetness Of their love.
tempered, as it was on either side, by
a certain shyness, held her spell.
bound. But though he did not speak
Of marriage, Lucy was quite con-
tent to wait. She was the sort of
woman who lived wholly for the man
she loved. It was enough for her to
be loved; the rest seemed vague and
very distant.