The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1917-03-06

to love each other
In this vein they chatted on for some
time. when Chandler arose.,
Il presume" he said, that you will
inform Mrs Atherton Of this meeting
and SO much Of what has passed be-
tween us as you think will interest
her"
III you desire it shall consider the
meeting and all that has been said con-
ddential."
Gas you like" he replied. Nothing
has been said that Mrs. Atherton
should not hear"
Il may tell her that you will call
again. l supposeY
please do SO. win come in few
days.
.She viii naturally be interested to
see you"
Chandler walked away, perhaps bet
ter pleased with his visit than If he
had seen the lady he had called on.
Mrs. Atherton's secretary was not only
attractive in appearance, but had del
icate sense of what was not proper for
her to say In such conversation.
Chandler was bit dissatisfied with
himself for having implied that she
had been an eavesdropper He wished
for an opportunity to remove any I'M
pleasant impression that his mistake
might have occasioned.
WhQn ha 20 llod a0ofx, h., ala not q
knowledge to himself that he would
like to have another tete-a-tete with
the secretary. He was received by her
with message from Mrs. Atherton
that she was indisposed and begged
him to excuse her.
MRS. Anterior has especially charged
me to say to you,D she added, s'that
You are not to regard adversely her not
seeing you today and that she hopes
you will come again soon. She expects
to be presentable within few days"
Chandler did not hurry away. He
called at 3 o'clock, and at he was still
occupied with Mrs. Atherton's secre-
tary. Then the butler came In with
an invitation for him to remain for
dinner. Mrs. Anterior herself could
not be present, but her secretary would
do the honors for her. Chandler ac-
cepted the invitation with alacrity He
did not leave the house until II o'clock
that night.
Fate seemed to be against Chandler
meeting the widow. The next time he
| called she had again gone to the city.
and the next after that she had had a
| fall that had necessitated her remain
| ing In bed for few days. Chandler
was enjoying so well his visits with
/ the secretary that he didn't care If the
mistress remained bedridden for the
rest Of her days. Then one day when
he called he received a message from
the lady through her secretary that
she had been considering the matter Of
! joining the estates by their marriage
and had come to the conclusion that
the difference in their ages would be
altogether too great an objection.
On receipt Of this communication
Chandler stood looking very disconso-
| late.
Il am sorry for your disappoint-
ment, J" said the secretary.
1T isn't that" replied Chandler dole
fully.
mot that? Then what is it?''
"Why, have no excuse to come here
any more"
"And why should you come when
the object Of your coming has ceased
| to exist r.
How am. going to get on without
seeing your
To this the only reply was a drop
ping of the girls eyes to the floor.
II have PLAN said Chandler
"Since can't marry the mistress I'll
make a proposition to the secretary.
It is not to unite two estates. but two
| hearts"
She looked up at him with charm
ing expression.
.Sit down." she said, land I'll tell
! you story. Your uncle and Mrs. Ath-
erton were very anxious to unite these
estates, as you know. Neither of them
had any idea Of marriage between
you and her. And now have con-
| fession to make. / am more than Mrs
| Atherton's secretary; l am her daugh-
| ter. Your uncle suggested to mother
that the property be united by mar
rage between you and me. But such
proposals usually miscarry. Their plan
| was to bring you and me together, you
! thinking that you were opening nego-
tiations to marry mother They were
obliged to let me into the secret.
agreed to carry out their plan-that Is
well, provided | liked you"
'.And you do. don't your said Chan
dler in pleasing tone.
well, $685. was the answer.
.sThen the plan is to be carried out2'
what plan 2"
"Why, the one you have just refer
red t."
ooh! meant the plan of making
| you think you were opening negotia-
lions to marry mother"
"Ohr'
"That's ali I had to do with it,"
II think you had a great deal more
to do with it,
Il don't see what
| well, while you have been receiving
| me In. place Of your mother you have
J got me used to being with you. Be
sides, think how advantageous 1t will
| be to unite the estates"
II care nothing about the estates
"Or me2''
~ didn't say that. but I shall not
marry for the purpose Of uniting two
| properties"
"Then viii you marry for the pur-
pose Of uniting two hearts?"
II must be satisfied that such a
union VIII be effected"
II can answer for myself, but not
for you. love you dearly. and wish
| you to be my wife,
Il win be your betrothed on trial.
| If see that our union is to be flnan-
cial one will break the engagement"
Such was the practical disposal Of
the subject Chandler went from her
| to his uncle.
Uncle" he said, 1.-The properties win
be united. Why didn't you introduce
me to Miss Atherton In the first placer
Because when l was a young man