The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1919-11-06

This is no place for you, Miss Den.
zil," said Walter Richards, and Edna
Denzil regarded him askance. IF you
will allow me to call upon you this
evening will tell you why"
Young Richards spoke in a low,
impressive tone and as Edna nodded
as If In assent, went into the front
office of Moore & Allen, drew what
salary was coming to him and left the
place. Edna followed him with her
eyes. She confessed to a slight pang
OF Jealousy. as Richards met flashy,
bold-faced girl Of her own age who
had been Of late quite frequent Wis
itor to the Office. On several Of these
occasions Miss MARITIME made It q
point to parade her fancied beauty
and destinations for the benefit Of the
young clerk and student.
There was some mystery about this
Miss MARITIME that neither Edna nor
Richards had fathomed. When either
Of the partners consulted with her 1t
was behind closed doors. She wore
certain air of audacious superiority,
Indicating that her visits to the firm
were Of great Importance.
Edna puzzled her mind all the rest
OF that afternoon as to the reason
why Walter Richards had given up
his position. She has liked him from
the first moment she met him. He
was courteous to the point of gal
lantry. He had walked home with
her on several occasions and Edna
was attracted and pleased by his
quiet, gentlemanly ways. She was
glad that she had assented to his call.
ing upon her. for he was about the
only friend she had made since com.
ing to the city.
1t was seven o'clock when Richards
appeared at the home where Edna
boarded. IF you don't mind" he
said, suppose we take stroll to the
park, where we can find quiet spot
to talk over things" and Edna was
nothing 10th.
She went up to her room and re.
appeared dressed for outdoors, the
handbag she usually carried in evi.
dence. Richards insisted on reliev.
Ing her of this. He selected d re.
mote bench when they reached the
park.
You have probably been surprised
and mystified as to my leaving Moore
q Allen so abruptly" he spoke. "You
also perhaps wonder at what I said
about the office being no place for you.
am going to explain. I have q long
hard road ahead of me before be.
come full-fledged lawyer, and may
not readily find another place, but
nave learned enough concerning the
ievious and tricky ways Of my former
employers to know that every hour ]
'emain I am imperiling my reputa.
ion for the future"
You amaze mel" murmured Edna.
Last week they asked me to assist
q deluding a client whom they were
Wiling to sell out for money con.
ideration. This Miss MARITIME who
'omes so often to the office is, am
mere adventures whom
hey intend to use in some plot, the
letails of which have not vet
earned But shall learn" conclud.
q Richards, with determination. "AsI
0 yourself, | hope you will believe
nat | am deeply concerned in your
1ell-being, and if l can find you an.
ther position. with more honorable
len, | trust you will resign from your :
resent one" .
Edna murmured vague assent. He :;
'as SO earnest, so sincere, somehow I
ne fervor of his apparently unselfsh i
lterest in her touched and influenced I
er. Then at the door of her home i
ichards handed her back her hand. !.
az and asked permission to call again i
the end of the week. 4
Edna had pleasant dreams that i
light. She decided to trust to Rich. !!
rds as to changing her position. !
ust as she was ready to start for the !
lice next morning she made a dis. i
very that annoyed and worried her. !
ne had carried in her handbag with I
er other belongings, key to the !
nee door and one to metal cabinet Z
here Moore & Allen kept their pri. !
lite papers. They were both missing /
ne mad left the house about square !
'hind when Richards met her. /
i hope | have not made you +
lxious," he said, but did you miss I
'ur office keys?" +
why, yes" assented Edna. I
Here they are" said Richards en-. i
nding the missing articles. I
She awaited him expectantly the i
flowing Saturday evening. There :
as noticeable vivacity In his man. i
r as she greeted him. 81 have A !
range story to tell you, Miss Denzii. :
rather Edna. Now do not become =
tended, because | hope soon the
sht to call you that. took your :
VS. purp1sely." x
Oh Mr.. Richardsp cried Edna In
tor. Of dismay.
YES to visit the office and pry into
e private papers of Moore & Allen
round what I suspected, A wealthy
an nnmpd Pioho.d NJ