Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1919-12-10
a
Prompt Suitor
BY CECILLE LANGDON

/ S~~SS~S~~SS$S$~S~SS@
Copyright, 1919. by the Western Nows.
| paper Union.)
"This is no place for you, Miss Dem
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 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 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 it
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
oof 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. ''t'-~''''--- TO-
1t was seven o'clock when Richards
appeared at the home where Edna
boarded. eff you don't mind" he
said, suppose we take stroll to the
park, where we can find a quiet spot
to talk over things" and Edna WIS
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 re-
mote bench when they reached the
park.
"You have probably been surprised
and mystifled as to my leaving Moore
& Allen so abruptly" he spoke. "You
also perhaps wonder at what said
about the office being no place for you
I am going to explain. I have long,
hard road ahead Of me before I be-
come a full-fedged lawyer, and I may
not readily find another place. but
have learned enough concerning the
devious and tricky ways of my former
employers to know that every hour I
remain I am imperiling my reputs'
ton for the future"
"You amaze meT' murnured Edna.
"Last week they asked me to assist
In deluding q client whom they were
willing to sell out for n money con-
sideration. This Miss MARITIME who
comes so often to the office is. am
assured, a mere adventures whom
they intend to use in some plot. the
details of which have not yet
learned. But I shall learn" conclud-
ed Richards, with determination. "As
to yourself, 1 hope you will believe
that I am deeply concerned In your
well-being, and if can find you an-
other position, with more honorable
men, 1 trust you will resign from your
present one"
Edna murmured vague assent. He
was so earnest, so sincere, somehow
the fervor of his apparently unselfish
interest in her touched and Influenced
her. Then at the door of her home
Richards handed her back her hand.
bag and asked permission to call Rgain
at the end Of the week.
Edna had pleasant dreams that
night. She decided to trust to Rich
ards as to changing her position.
Just as she was ready to start for the
office next morning she made dis
covery that annoyed and worried her.
She had carried in her handbag with
her other belongings, key to the
office door and one to metal cabinet
where Moore & Allen kept their pri-
vate papers. They were both missing.
She had left the house about square
behind when Richards met her.
81 hope I have not made you
anxious" he said. "but did you miss
your Office keys?"
"Why, yes" assented Edna.
Here they are" said Richards e1-
tending the missing articles:
She awaited him expectantly the
following Saturday evening. There
was a noticeable vivacity In his man
ner as she greeted him. 81 have Q