The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1917-03-16
A Business
Affair
1t Was Also an Affair
of the Heart
By ANDREW B. CARLISLE

college his uncle told him that he had
a special plan for him. Chandler was
an orphan who had inherited 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 Anterior had
bought some contiguous property that
Chandler had long desired. She was
forty years Of age, but Chandler's
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 a week after his return strolled
over to pay his respects TO his new
neighbor.
1t was a hot morning, and Chandler,
in a thin white flannel suit and straw
hat, entered the gate of the Anterior
grounds and strolled up the walk to-
ward the house. A young girl sat on
rustic bench under tree reading.
1t occurred to the visitor that he would
go over to where she was sitting and
ask II Mrs. Anterior was at home. Re
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 ard asked:
BEG pardon, but can you tell me II
Mrs, Anterior is at homer"
mot this morning. She has gone TO
the city,
"Um! All! I'm sorry to miss her.
Hearing that had new neighbor.
came over to call upon her"
Its very hot, and you look tired.
Won't you rest yourselfT' 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. He
would have an opportunity to chat
about the widow.
Perhaps you win be good enough to
say to Mrs. Atherton 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.
Atherton about you. He said he
thought you would call"
"Um! Are you a relative OF Mrs.
AthertonT"
II may say that am, for my
mother and Mrs. Anterior are as
closely allied as II they were one per
SON."
"And you areT'
"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"
ut does"
us Mrs. Anterior an elderly or a
young woman"
Between forty and forty-five."
II hear she Is very handsome and
appears far younger than that
He had heard no such thing. H
was working the pump handle. The
girl smiled.
Something amuses you," he added
soberly.
Excuse me. l may as well confess
that know your errand. heard Mrs.
Atherton and your guardian uncle talk
ing over the union Of the two estates.
1t Is quite natural that you should be
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 1t happen" he said coldly, that
you overheard
"Oh, l was not eavesdroppingl Be
sides, Mrs. Anterior told me all about
the matter as soon as your uncle had
departed"
May ! ask If she was favorably dis
posed toward the plan?"
'She was very much interested In
the matter of uniting the two proper
hes. She said 1t would very much en-
hance the value of both" N
But marrying man younger than
ncrself?
"All that part of 1t you must get
from her." This was said in a tone
hat indicated she had not relished the
implied charge Of eavesdrorping.
Il beg pardon. should not have
expected you to reveal what 10 Of me-
,essity a confidence. Since we have
progressed so far in discussing the
natter may ask-just an opinion, !,
7ou know-what you would think Of
Iuch a matchT
III oh, wouldn't think OF giving :
IN opinion on a matter that concerns
'ou and Mrs. Anterior"
you consider 1t very mercenary, :
Il certainly would unless you came
o love each other"
In this vein they chatted on for some
lime, when Chandler arose.
Il presume he said. that you viii
INFORM Mrs. Anterior Of this meeting
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