The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-03-22

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 uel-
icate sense of what was not proper Tor
her TO say in such a conversation
Chandler was a bit dissatisfied with
himself for having implied that she
had been an cavesdroPper. lie WlSheI
for an opportunity TO remove any uii-
pleasant impression that his mistake
might have occasiOned.
When he called again he did not az
knowledge to himself that lie wlah
like to have another tete-a tete WIN
the secretary. He was received 10y hri
with a message from Mrs. Atherton
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. lie
called at ) o'clock, and at q lie was still
occupied with Mrs. Atherton's sccre-
tary. Then the butler came in with
an invitation for him Ia remain for
dinner. Mrs. Anterior herself coull
not be present. but her secretary woul
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 lac
called she had again gone to the city,
and the next after that she had had Il
fall that had necessitated her remain.
ing in bed for a 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 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.
1T isn't that replied Chandler dole
fully.
Not thati 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?'
"How am going to get on without
seeing youf'
To this the only reply was drop
ping of the girls eyes to the floor
Il have plan" said Chandler
.Since | can't marry the mistress III
make proposition to the secretary
1t is not to unite two estates. but tive
hearts"
She looked up at him with n charm
ing expression.
"Sit down. she said. and I'll tel
you story Your uncle and Mrs. Ath
erton were very anxious to unite thes,
estates, as you know. Neither of then
had any idea of marriage between
you and her. And now ! have "a con
fession to make. am more than Mrs
Atherton's secretary; am her daugh
ter. Your uncle suggested to mothe
that the property be united by mar
rage between you and me- But sucl
proposals usually miscarry. Their plai
was to bring you and me together, yol
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 youI" said Chan
dler in pleasing tone.
We'll, $685." was the answer
"Then the plan Is to be carried out ?
What plan!"
why, the one you have just refer
red to-
oh | meant the plan of maxim
you think you were opening negotia
tons to marry. mother"
OH
That's all | had to do with It,"
Il think you had great deal NOR
to do with It,"
Il don't see what"
We'll. while you have been receivin
me In place of your mother you hay
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"
"Or me?"
II didn't say that, but I shall n,
marry for the purpose of uniting tw
properties"