The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-07-19
MISS DREW'S SECRETARY
BY JEANNE kIlsT.

Miss Smith had not been so stupid OF
Miss Hart so slovenly. l simply can I
get along without secretary
You might try one of the secre-
tarial schools suggested Mrs. Marsn'
bending over her embroidery.
81 will must have someone at
once"
Carlotta picked up the receiver and
telephoned her wishes:
Send along anyone who Is 1airiy
intelligent" she walled at last.
There" she said, looking defiantly
at her aunt, ''they are sending up
young man."
"A young mani" echoed Mrs.
Marsh. Are you crazy, Carlotta?
"Only desperate. Aunt Anna.
81 shall send him away again.
mot until he has Strengthened out
NV accounts. | make them say that
I have spent just four dollars instead
of five hundred in the last month, and
yet my cheekbook shows l have over
drawn my account.
What a muddle!" sighed Mrs.
Marsh. You really ought to marry
a good business man. my dear, some
one who can look after you and your
property"
81 met a man last summer" she
began. Then, biting her lips to keep
back q secret she had not dared con-
fess to anyone but herself, she added
gayly, I'm going out. Aunt Anna.
If the young man comes tell him to
straighten out my books. I'll be home
before he leaves"
1t was an hour after Carlottas de-
parture when Biggs brought in card.
"Mr. Anthony Lester"
"Humph." shifted Mrs. Marsh.
looking coldly at the tall. self-pos-
sessed young man who regarded her
SO affably. my niece is out at pres
ent. She wants you to wait until she
returns. No use wasting your time,
though. Miss Drew said you might
straighten out her books-there on
the desk-find out what the trouble
is."
Lester smiled and sat down at the
desk. Presently Mrs Marsh noted
that he was working busily over the
offending accounts.
He worked so steadily that Aunt
Annals heart warmed toward him.
She would reward him with little
amiable conversation
Are you married." she asked
abruptly.
Good heavens-no!" he laughed.
Il was married for twenty years and
never had one single regret. My
husband has been dead for ten years.
Ours was a perfect marriage" sighed
| Mrs. Marsh, now on her favorite
topic, land l dislike to hear young
people laugh flippantly at matri-
| mony."
Lester colored 81 assure you," he
said gently, Il had no intention Of
laughing. 1t was the idea of your
thinking would be here" His
voice trailed into embarrassed ST.
lence.
Aunt Anna Marsh sat up stifly and
regarded him over the tops Of her eye.
glasses.
Young man." she said sternly,
when you came here this afternoon
did you know that my niece, Miss
Drew. is very, very rich indeed?"
Lester had the grace to blush quite
perceptibly.
"Yes," he said at last,
II thought So" she said.
Lester got up and paced the floor.
Now he was scowling in a most un.
pleasant manner. but even the black
look didn't mar his handsome face
Cant man marry a rich girl
without being called fortune hun.
ter?' he suddenly asked.
moi" exploded Aunt Anna indig
nantly.
Does your niece share your views
that every man-no! | won't doubt
her for an Instant" He turned to-
ward the desk
The door flew open and in came a
radiant Carlotta. her blue eyes agleam
with the glad light of surprise and
her cheeks aglow.
Anthony! Anthony you dear,'
she cried. and she went straight into
the arms of the secretary young
man." who held her closely.
Aunt Anna shut her eyes upon this
horrifying sight.
And there is the poor secretary
waiting in the hail." cried Carlotta
releasing herself from Testers arms
The secretary, Carlotta Drew. who
Is this young man." demanded Mrs
Marsh in tragic tone.
Why it's Anthony Lester, the mar
| almost told you about-it's a secret
that we love each other. and | sun
pose now our engagement must be an
nounced Who did you think he was
auntie?" she asked curiously.
Lester calamity came to the rescue
and Aunt Anna never forgot it. Sbe
took him to her heart even before sht
discovered that he was considerabl,
richer than Carlotta,
why. who did you think he wasp
repeated the girl curiously.
MN. Marsh asked me to he,,
s'raishten out your accounts" he in
terposed tactfully. I've brought or
der out of chaos, but there's still nm.
more thing to settle"
A small, dapperlooking youth Wit,
o~iish. specialized eyes, entered III,
: room meekly. 'A'