The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1919-10-02
"A
Prompt Suitor
BY CECILLE LANGDON

"This is no place for you. Miss Den.
ELL" 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 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 1t 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 q
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 a stroll to the
park, where we can find a 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 a re.
. mote bench when they reached the
park.
"You have probably been surprised
and mystifed as to my leaving Moore
& Allen so abruptly" he spoke. "You
also perhaps wonder at what I said
about the office being no place for you.
Lam going to explain. I have a long,
hard road ahead Of me before I be-
come full-f1edged 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 ]
remain I am imperiling my reputa.
ton for the future"
"You amaze mel" murmured Edna.
Last week they asked me to assist
In deluding client whom they were
willing to sell out for a money con.
sideration. This Miss MARITIME who
comes so often to the office is, l am
assured, mere adventures whom
they intend to use In some plot, the
details of which I have not yet
learned. But I shall learn" conclud.
ed Richards, with determination. "As
to yourself, hope you will believe
that I am deeply concerned in your
well-being, and II I can find you an.
other position, with more honorable
men, trust you will resign from yout
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 again
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 q 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 pfi.
vate papers. They were both missing,
She had left the house about square
behind when Richards met her.
IT hope have not made you
anxious" he said. "but did you miss
your Office keys7"
"Why, yes" assented Edna.
Here they are" said Richards en-.
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. II have \
strange story to tell you, Miss DenxiL
rather Edna. Now do not become
offended, because hope soon the
right to call you that. I took your
keys purposely."
"Oh. Mr.. Richardsl" cried Edna In
q tone of dismay.