The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-04-02
By ANDREW B. CARLISLE

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 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 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 hot morning, and Chandler
in thin white flannel suit and a straw
hat, entered the gate of the Atherton
grounds and strolled up the walk to
ward the house y 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
Not this morning. She has gone to
the CITY,"
"Um. All! I'm sorry to miss her.
Hearing that had a new neighbor.
came over to call upon her."
ITS 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
seating 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 Bussing's nephew"
Yes"
"Mr. Bussing has spoken to Mrs
AthertOn about you. He said he
thought you would call"
"Um. Are you relative of Mrs
Atherton?"
II may say that | am, for my
mother and Mrs. Atherton are as
closely allied as II they We're one per
SON.
And you are?"
Mrs. Atherton's secretary"
Indeed"
And her amanuensis. She writes
you know"
II was not aware of that presume
that her absence gives YOU leisure t.
enjoy yourself out in this pleasan,
nook reading"
1T does"
rs Mrs. Anterior an elderly or {
young woman"
Between forty and forty-five."
Il hear she is very handsome ant
appears far younger than that"
He had heard no such thing HI
was working the pump handle. The
! girl smiled.
something amuses you." he added
soberly.
I
that | know your errand. heard Mrs
Anterior and your guardian uncle talk
| Ing over the union of the two estates
1t Is quite natural that you should III
interested In learning something about
her. especially what you have just re
ferred to, since she is so much oldel
than you"
Chandler drew within himself. How
did II happen" he said coldly. "tha
you overheard
"oh. | was not eayesdropping! Be
sides. Mrs. Atherton told me all abou
the matter as soon as your uncle haC
departed"
May Task if she was favorably dis
posed toward the plan?"
"She was very much interested il
the matter of uniting the two proper
ties. She said IL would very much en-
nance the value of both"
but marrying a man younger thar
herself?"
All that part of it you must &c
from her" This was said I'm n ton,
that indicated she had not relished tn,
Implied charge of eavesdropping.
Il beg pardon. | should not hav,
expected you to reveal what is of ne
cessity a confidence. Since we hav,
progressed SO far in discussing tn
matter may ! ask-just an opinion
you know-what you would think o
such match?"
III oh. | wouldn't think of giyin,
an opinion on matter that concern
you aud Mrs. Atherton."
you consider IL very mercenary.
suppose"
Il certainly would unless you cam
to love each other"
In this vein they chatted on for som
time when Chandler arose.
i presume" he said. that you vii
infoi Mrs. Anterior Of this meetin