The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-23


oustriously running through the ad.
yerusements in a pile Of newspapers.
Occasionally she stopped to make re-
mark to herself on her unhappy fate.
IL only" she thought, he hadn't
said he couldn't help il. If he had
done 1t because he wanted to" she
broke on, blushing and went to work
again.
Finally she came to an advertise
ment that called for a young woman
OF just her requirements. 1t read:
Wanted, a stenographer and private
secretary. Must be accurate and re-
lined. with some knowledge of law
yer's work !" So far Constance felt
that she could fill requirements, but
the next phrase made her hesitate.
Answer by letter, giving reference
and stating reason for leaving last en-
ployer"
Clearly, Constance could not give
Mr.. Gordon as a reference. And it
would be difficult to explain her rea-
son for leaving him. But Constance
looked affectionately about the bare
room. thought of her empty pocket
book and the fat. compelling landlady
downstairs, and set to work writing
an answer to the advertisement.
Il think this will do" she said fin
ally repeating the last part Of her let
ter to herself. 81 cannot give my last
employer as a reference, as do not
want him to know where / am. / left
him because he could not give me
what wanted" There; that sounds
all right. and 1t isn't lie. but II
doesn't give either Of us away. II
sounds as If what l wanted was more
money, instead of "
| With bootless sigh Constance fold
ed the letter. slipped 1t into the en-
velope. sealed it and then dressed to
go and mail it and take long wall
in the invigorating winter air.
Late that afternoon Mrs. Foley, tht
landlady. brought word to Constance
that a gentleman had called to see he
in answer to an advertisement. Mrs
Foley, now that work was in prospec
for her pleasant little back-roon
boarder, looked kind and almost moth
erly; for work meant promptly pat
board bills.
Il just put him in my own parlo
and you'll not be disturbed. Just shu
the door when you go in and stay a
long as you want to. I'll wait here II
you come back" she said.
A moment later Constance shut tn
door behind her as she entered tn
landlady's little parlor. Then she lool
ed uncertainty to her new employee
who stood with his back to her, lool
ing out of the window in the gathe
ing dusk.
81 believe you want to see me-" st
said.
Constance" said the man, and WI
liam Gordon faced her. There was
new light in his steady gray eyes, ar
q new assurance in his bearing.
Constance, awed, said nothing.
Constance, you answered my ad
he smiled. did you leave me b
cause you wanted something couldr
; give your"
yes" murmured Constance.
WAS it more money!"
"No."
What made you think that VIII
YOU wanted was more than l cou
give you? Didn't you know when
kissed you
"T thought 1t. was only pity" sa
Constance. This time she went wi
ingly to william Gordon's outstret'
: ed arms.
A long time later Constance a
: William still sat in Mrs. Foleys pi
ior It was dark.
"Win you come tomorrow" So
. William at last
DO you mean in answer to the
vertisement?
mo, Constance" said William.
= can advertise for another stenogral
er; couldn't advertise again for a
e Wife"
4 A little later, when William b
" gone, Constance went blissfully up
o her room and found Mrs. Foley wa
ing patiently
It LANDS" said Mrs. Foley. as she {
y up from the low chair where she b
If been sitting. did you get the 10
II You we're long enough about 1t.
Eyes" said Constance happily, "a
IS oh. Mrs. Foley. it's for life. I'm goi
% to be married tomorrow"