The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-03-22
A Business
Affair
Il Was Also an Affair
of the Heart
By ANDREW B. CARLISLE

estate, ana his uncle was MS Suaru-
ian and would be for a few months.
when the heir would come of age. A
widow of the name of Anterior had
bought some contiguous property that
Chandler had long desired. She was
forty years of age, but Chambers
guardian proposed that he should mar
ry 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 hot morning, and Chandler.
In a thin white flannel suit and a straw
hat, entered the gate of the Anterior
grounds and strolIed up the walk to-
ward the house. A young girl sat on
a rustic bench under tree reading.
1t occurred to the visitor that he would
go over to where she was sitting and
ask II 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 II
Mrs. Atherton Is at homer"
mot this morning. She has gone to
the CITY,"
"Um! All! I'm sorry to miss her.
Hearing that had a new neighbor. I
came over to call upon her."
TITS 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,
sea ting himself.
This was all very fortunate. He
would have an opportunity to chat
about the widow.
perhaps you will be good enough to
say to Mrs. AthertOn on her return
that, Mr.. Herbert Chandler, a neigh
Dor, called to pay his respects"
"Mr. Bussings nephew"
YES"
"Mr. Bussing has spoken to Mrs
Atherton about you. He said he
thought you would call"
I'm! Are you "A relative of Mrs
Atherton?"
II may say that l am, for my
mother and Mrs. Atherton are as
closely allied as II they wnro one per-
SON."
And you are!'
Mrs. Atherton's secretary"
Indeed"
"And her amanuensis She writes,
you know"
IL was not aware of that presume
that her absence gives you leisure to
enjoy yourself out in this pleasant
nook reading"
1T does"
rs Mrs. Atherton an elderly or a
young woman?'
Between forty and forty-ive."
II hear she is very handsome and
appears far younger than that"
| He had heard no such thing. He
was working the pump handle. The
girl smiled.
Something amuses you," he added
soberly.
| Excuse me. | may as well confess
that l know your errand. l heard Mrs.
Anterior and your guardian uncle talk.
ing over the union of the two estates
1t is quite natural that you should he
interested In learning something about
her, especially what you have just re
ferred to, since she Is so much older
than you"
Chandler drew within himself. How
did it happen" he said coldly, that
you overheard
"Oh. was not eavesdropping! Be
sides, Mrs. Anterior told me all about
the matter as soon as your uncle had
departed"
MAY | ask il she was favorably dis
posed toward the plan!"
''She was very much interested IL
the matter of uniting the two proper
ties. She said it would very much EN-
nance the value of both"
But marrying a man younger thar
herself?"
"All that part of 1t you must &c
from her" This was said I'm a tom
that indicated she had not relished tn
implied charge of eavesdropping.
II beg pardon. | should not hay
| expected you to reveal what Is of ne
| cessity a confidence. Since We hav
progressed so far In discussing tn
| matter NAV | ask-itlst an opinion
you know-what you would think o
such a match?"
81? oh. wouldn't think of givin
an opinion on a matter that concern
= you and Mrs. Anterior"
You consider Ii very mercenary.
suppose"
81 certainly would unless you cam
to love each other"
In this vein they chatted on for som