The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-01-11

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,
81 have worked many years for you,
and l feel that it is my right to be
frank. You are an old bachelor and
l am an old maid. l 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 a man who had insulted one
Of our woman buyers came into the
Office. I thought there was going to
be a fight-but the boys got him out
somehow and held Mr.. Wakefield back.
Still, it was a pretty serious thing.
"If you'll all swear not to tell, Ill
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 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 ii 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.
II wrote 1t, aud I'm sorry" she
cried. "I'll 60. I did it, nobody else.
Mr.. Wakefield looked at the girl in
something like horror. He turned to
ward Miss Roberts. "She doesn't
know. then?" l heard him whisper.
/! Eileen Roberts looked up, and l new
er say a. face so transformed. She
Hooked haloed in a madonnalike be
nignancy She stood up proudly before
US all. 3 -
'1'll 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. It is true I 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.
rs this. true?" cried Bessie, clutch
ing at his arms convulsively.
Mr.. Wakefield bowed his head IN,
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, 81 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 Tut was Bessie weeping in Miss
/ Roberts arms.