The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1917-02-22
A Business
Affair
1t Was Also an Affair
Of the Heart
By ANDREW B. CARLISLE

When Chandler came home from
college his uncle told him that he had
a special plan for him. Chandler was
All orphan who had inherited a large
estate, and his uncle was his guard
ian and would be for few months,
when the heir would come of age. A
widow of the name of Atnerton had
bought some contiguous property that
Chandler had long desired. She was
forty years Of age, but Chambers
guardian proposed that he should mar
~ her. The benefit to his estate
would be considerable. Chandler said
he would look into the matter and
about week after his return strolled
over to pay his respects to his new
neighbor.
1t was a hot morning, and Chandler.
in thin white flannel suit and a straw
hat, entered the gate of the Atherton
grounds and strolled up the walk to-
| ward the house. A young girl sat on
a rustic bench under tree reading.
| It occurred to the visitor that he would
| so over to where she was sitting and
| ask if Mrs. Atherton was at home. Be
| sides, he might elicit some preliminary
information about the widow. Leav-
ing the walk, he approached the girl.
She was pretty, but so plainly dressed
that Chandler was in doubt as to her
position. However,, he lifted his hat
politely and asked:
"Beg pardon, but can you tell me if
Mrs. Atherton is at home?"
''Not this morning. She has gone to
the city," - 49,. .-.
Gum! All! I'm sorry to miss her.
Hearing that l had new neighbor.
came over to call upon her" H.
cts very hot. and you look tired
Won't you rest yourself?'' The girl
moved to one end Of the bench that he
might occupy the other.
"Thank you very much" he replied
seating himself.
This was all very fortunate. HI
would have an opportunity to cha
about the widow.
perhaps you will be good enough tt
say to Mrs. Anterior on her return
that Mr.. Herbert Chandler, a neigh
Dor, called to pay his respects"
"Mr Bussing's nephew"
| YES" -. .-
"Mr. Bussing has spoken to Mrs
Anterior about you. He said he
thought you would cal"
"Um! Are you a relative of Mrs
Atherton?"
II may say that 1 am, for my
mother and Mrs. Atherton are a!
closely allied as if they were one per
son.
"And you are?"
''Mrs. Atherton's secretary"
"Indeed.'
"And her amanuens1s. She writes
you know"
Il was not aware Of that presum
that her absence gives you leisure t.
enjoy yourself out in this pleasan
nook reading"
TT does" 80
"Is Mrs. Anterior an elderly or
young woman?"
"Between forty and forty-fve."
II hear she is very handsome an
| appears far younger than that"
He had heard no such thing. H
was working the pump handle. Th
girl smiled. $500
Something amuses YOU" he adde
soberly. .-
"Excuse me. may as we'll confes
that I know your errand. heard Mr.:
Atherton and your guardian uncle tall
ing over the union of the two estate:
It is quite natural that you should b
interested in learning something abou
her, especially what you have just II
ferred to, since she is so much olde
than YOU"
Chandler drew within himself. 'Ho,
did it happen" he said coldly, "tha
you Overheard"-
''Oh, was not eayesdropping! B,
sides, Mrs. Anterior told me all abol
the matter as soon as your uncle la
departed
MAY ask if she was favorably di
posed toward the plan?"
''She was very much interested j
, the matter of uniting the two prope
ties. She said it would very much el
nance the value Of both"
''But marrying a man younger tina
herself?"
CAL that part of it you must g.
from her." This was said in a tor
that indicated she had not relished tt
! implied charge of eavesdropping.
Il beg pardon. I should not hay
expected you to reveal what is Of n
cessity confidence. Since we hay
progressed so far in discussing tt
matter may ask-just an opinion
you know-what you would think {
such a match? %
II? Oh, wouldn't think of givin
an opinion on matter that concern
you and Mrs. Atherton."
''You consider it very mercenary,
: suppose
Il certainly would unless you can
to love each other
In this vein they chatted on for son
| time when Chan61or oroco