The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1917-02-22

AS you like he replied. tthing
has been said that Mrs. Atberton
should not hear
81 may tell her that you will call
again, l suppose"
Please do so. will come in few
days.
"she will 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.
When he called again he did not &C
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. Anterior
that she was indisposed and begged
him to excuse her.
''Mrs. Atherton has especially charged
me to say to you,'' she added, 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 O'Clock, and at 6 he was still
occupied with Mrs. Atherton's secre-
tary. Then the butter came in with
an invitation for him to remain for
dinner Mrs. Atherton herself could
not be present, but her secretary would
do the honors for her. Chandler &C
copied 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 d
fall that had necessitated her remain
| ing in bed for few days. Chandler
was enjoying so we'll 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.
II am sorry for your disappoint-
ment,'' said the secretary.
"It isn't that replied Chandler dole
fully.
"Not that? Then what is it?''
"Why, 1 have no excuse to come here
any more.'
"And why should you come when
the object of your coming has ceased
to exist?'
GLOW am going to get on without
seeing you?
To this the only reply Was drop
ping Of the girls eyes to the floor.
Il have plan," said Chandler.
'Since l 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 a charm
ing expression.
| Sit down. she said, land I'll tel
you a story Your uncle and Mrs. Ath
erton We're very anxious to unite these
estates, as you know. Neither of then
had any idea of a marriage betwee'
you and her. And now l have CO..
fession to make. I am more than MI
Atherton's secretary; am her daugh
ter. Your uncle suggested to mothe
that the property be united by maj
rage between you and me. But suc]
proposals usually miscarry. Their pla1
, was to bring you and me together, yo'
thinking that you were opening nego
tiations to marry mother They wer
obliged to let me into the secret.
agreed to carry out their plan-that /
, well, provided liked YOU
"And you do, don't you?' said Chan
dler in pleasing tone.
'Well, $685. was the answer.
, ''Then the plan is to be carried out?
t "What plan?'
"Why, the one you have just refer
red to-"
ooh! l meant the plan Of maxim
' you think you were opening negotia
t tons to marry mother"
"Oh!'
: "That's all 1 had to do with it."
t II think you had great deal NOR
l to do with it."
II don't see what" .---.
J. "Well, while you have been receivin
me in place Of your mother you hay
4 got me used to being with you. b
; sides, think how advantageous it wi
: be to unite the estates.'
II care nothing about the estates"
4 Cor me?" 49,.
Il didn't say that, but shall nc
t marry for the purpose of uniting tw
e properties