The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-01-03

well, would have stopped it if could.
The letter was drawn up without the
intention of sending it, and it ran as
follows:
Dear Air. Wakefield,
Il have worked many years for you,
and | feel that it is my right to be
frank. You are an old bachelor and
| am an old maid. | love you. Why
shouldn't we marry? Regard this as
serious and confidential
Bessie dashed off Eileen Roberts
signature in hand that was marvel.
ously like hers.
Nobody was much afraid of Wake
field. He was a mild, easy-going old
gentleman, and only once had any Of
! us seen him moved to anger. That
was when man who had insulted one
of our woman buyers came into the
office. | thought there was going to
be a fight-but the boys got him out
somehow and held Mr.. Wakefield back
Still, it was pretty serious thing.
IF you'll all swear not to tell, I'll
mail it," said Bessie, feeling like
heroine.
We looked across at the unconscious
Miss Roberts. Don't do it," said.
Bessie stamped the letter, held it
suspended over the mail-chute. looked
at us. and-dropped it down. We sat
back aghast.
The next morning everyone was
very quiet. We were wondering
when the storm would burst We
saw Mr.. Wakefield go into his office.
Somebody tiptoed near and reported
that he was opening his mail. But
nothing happened till noon, and then
Miss Roberts was sent for.
She came back ten minutes later, in
tears, and the boys looked sheepish,
for it was pretty strong joke to have
played Only Bessie, with the usual
pert look on her pretty face, went on
with her work.
Miss Roberts sat down in her chair
and wept without any pretense at res.
traint. And then-we saw Wakefield
come striding into our room. In his
hand was the letter. On his face was
the look | had seen once-only once
before He held the letter out.
UNLESS the person who wrote this
thing confesses instantly" he said, 81
shall dismiss the entire clerical force
, The entire force" he Numbered
He must have seen the involuntary
movement of our eyes toward Bessie
But he said nothing till Bessie sprang
to her feet, white and trembling.
81 wrote it, and I'm sorry" she
cried III go. | did it, nobody else
: Mr. Wakefield looked at the girl il
, something like horror. He turned to
ward Miss Roberts. she dCesn'
know, them" | heard him whisper.
Eileen Roberts looked up, and | new
er saw a face so transformed. She
looked halOcd in madonnalike be
nignancy She stood up proudly before
us all
III tell her now" she said in ring
ing tones. NO, I'll tell her before ev
. erybody. Everybody knew. every
body has always tainted me with be
ing an old maid 1t is true hav
never been married, but Bessie is m,
child"
The pert look that had been on Bes
sizes face was never seen there again
We looked at the exporters face, an
knew Miss Roberts had spoken tn
truth
is this true?" cried Bessie, clutch
ing at his arms convulsively
Mr.. Wakefield bowed his head. IN
nephew is dead now" he said, IAN
there is no reason why the secre
should be kept any longer. His wifi
knows. But for that" he continued
turning to Miss Roberts, Il shout
have done more for you more for 20
both. | always meant to- am goin
e to now"
The last thing that we saw as W
filed out was Bessie weeping in Mis-
:, Roberts arms