The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-04-17
A Business
Affair
1t Was Also an Affair
of the Heart
By ANDREW B. CARLISLE
By ANDREW B. CARLISLE

orphan who had inherited large
tate and his uncle was his guard.
aud would he for a few months
Zen the heir would come of age. 4
iow Of the name of Atherton had
hight some contiguous property that
andler had long desired. She was
ty years of age. but Chambers
hrdian proposed that he should mar.
her. The benefit to his estate
|uld be considerab Chandler said
would look into the matter and
but a week after his return strolled
II TO pay his respects to his new
ghbor
was hot morning, and Chandler
thin white flannel suit and a straw
entered the gate of the Atherton
unds and strolled up the walk To-
81 the house 4 young girl sat on
ustie bench under a tree reading
occurred 10 the visitor that he would
over to where she was sitting ana
II Mrs. Atherton was at home. Be.
IS he might elicit some preliminary
brmation about the widow. Leav.
the walk. he approached the girl
was pretty, but so plainly dressed
] Chandler was in doubt as to her
ton However, he lifted his hat
tely and asked:
Bee pardon, but can you tell me If
Atherton is at home?"
not this morning. She has gone IL
city"
m All! I'm sorry to miss her.
rins that | had new neighbor.
e over to call upon her"
Is very hot, and you look tired.
b't you rest yourself?" The girl
led 10 one end of the bench that he
BIT occupy the other.
Fhank you very much" he replied.
6ng himself.
is was all very fortunate. He
ID have an opportunity to chat
bt the widow.
erhaps you will be good enough to
10 Mrs. Atherton on her return
Mr. Herbert Chandler, a neigh.
called to pay his respects"
|r Bussing's nephew"
eS
Ir Bussing has spoken to Mrs.
Frton about you. He said he |
ght You would call"
m. Are you relative of Mrs |
Erton:"
may say that | am. for my
per and Mrs. Atherton are as |
lly allied as If they were one per
nd You are?"
RS. Atherton's secretary"
ldeed"
hd her amanuensis. She writes,
know"
was not aware of that. Ipresume
her absence gives you leisure to
Yourself out in this pleasant
reading"
does"
Mrs. Atherton an elderly or
woman:"
Ween forty and forty-five"
near she is very handsome and
Al
nad heard no such thing. He
working the pump handle The
)micd.
lhetlllnS amuses you." he added
y
use me. ! may as well confess
Know your errand. i heard Mrs.
ION and your guardian slncle talk
ef The union of the two estates.
qulie natural that you should be
>'ca IN learning something about
Specially what you have just re-
10, since she is so much older
sou"
iuler drew within himself. How
nappen, he said coldly. that
Terheard"-
! was not eavesdropping, Be
NrS. Atherton told me all about
alter as soon as your uncle had
Pei"
! ask if she was favorably dis
toward the plan?"
was very much interested in
at'"r of uniting the two proper
cue said 1t would very much en-
the value of both"
marrying a man younger than
Vhat part of 1t you must get
ner This was said I'm a tone
ated she had not relished the
charge Of eavesdropping.
Pardon. | should not have
81 you to reveal what is of ne
a confidence. Since we have
ssH SO far in discussing the
may l ask-just an opinion.
o"-what you would think of ;
match?"
on' | wouldn't think of giving
mon on a matter that concerns
U Mrs. Atherton."
consider it very mercenary. .
'alnly would unless you came
Eh II