The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-01-05

well, would have stopped it if could.
The letter was drawn up without the
intention of sending it, and it ran as
follows:
Dear Mr. Wakefield.
Il have worked many years e. 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
| held. 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. l thought there was going to
be fight-but the boys got him out
somehow and held Mr. Wakefield back
Still, 1t was pretty serious thing.
II you'll all swear not to tell, I'll
mail it," said Bessie, feeling like a
heroine
We looked across at the unconscious
Miss Roberts. Don't do it," I said
Bessie stamped the letter, held 1t
suspended over the mail-chute. looked
at u.s. 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 60 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 a 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, Il
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.
Il wrote it, and I'm sorry" she
cried. IN go. did it. nobody else"
Mr.. Wakefield looked at the girl in
something like horror He turned to-
ward Miss Roberts she doesn't
know, them" | heard him whisper.
Eileen Roberts looked up, and new
err saw face so transformed. She
looked haloed in a madonnalike be-
nignancy She stood up proudly before
us all
I'm tell her now" she said in ring
ing tones. mo, I'll tell her before ev.
erybody. Everybody knew. every
body has always tainted me with be-
ing an old maid 1t is true have
never been married, but Bessie is my
/ child"
The pert look that had been on Bes-
sizes face was never seen there again.
We looked at the exporters face, and
knew Miss Roberts had spoken the
| truth
is this true?" cried Bessie, clutch
, ing at his arms convusively.
Mr.. Wakefield bow d his head My
nephew is dead now" he said and
there is no reason why the secret
should be kept any longer. His wife
! knows. But for that" he continued,
! turning to Miss Roberts, Il should
/ have done more for you more for YOU
! both ] always meant to- am going
to now"
The last thing that we saw as we
filed out was Bessie weeping in Miss
\ Roberts arms