Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1924-10-24
The Letter Was
Not Sent
By cLARIssA MAcKIE


EVELYN WOOD glanced up from
- her desk as Mr.. Brayton passed
through the room to his private office.
He gave her the customary pleasant
greeting with just little longer look
from his dark eyes that always dis
turbed her. 1t was rather hardship
for her when the firm Of lawyers,
Petit & Petit, for whom she had
worked three years, took another man
into the firm--a junior partner, and
lone other than Jim Brayton who
wanted to marry her. As Evelyn had
refused to marry him, and was now
engaged to Arthur Lane, a young doc
tor, 1t was exceedingly awkward to be
obliged to work for James.
This morning Brayton had scarcely
reached his room before the buzzer
sounded. Before she could gather
book and pencils, 1t sounded again,
louder, inslstent.
"Ah, have very important letter
to dictate, Miss Wood. Take 1t please
1t must go out at once. Messrs.
Smith & Fray, 1000 Walnut street,
Philadelphia, Gentlemen II have your
inquiry concerning the financial stand
ing Of Doctor Arthur Lane, and 1t Is
with great regret that i must advise
you not to extend any credit to this
person. He is deeply in debt, not only
to this firm for legal services, but we
understand that his credit here Is so
strained that 1t has prompted him to
seek credit outside of his home city
where his difficulties are well known.
l also understand that he has been
recently married, and that he has
made promises to pay that have not,
and probably will not, be fulfilled. Re
GREETING the necessity for giving out
this information, which you understand
is entirely confidential, I am, etc, ETC.
Miss Wood, please let me have that
letter at once, with the envelope. l
will mail it myself. That is all
thank you"
Evelyn returned to her desk, un-
covered her typewriter and rapidly
transcribed the notes she had taken.
When she had finished she put the
carbon copies she had made In her
desk one copy was for herself. She
carried the letter in to Brayton.
He signed 1t with little flourish
read It over carefully, then he held
out his hand for the envelope.
Il will mail It myself, Miss Wood"
do you really intend to send that
llbelous letterT asked Evelyn.
Brayton lifted his dark brows. "That
is not just the attitude we have
learned to expect from such faithful
worker as yourself, Evelyn" he said,
reproachfully.
Miss. Wood-to you, If you please,
Mr.. Brayton."
Excuse me, Miss Wood OF course
I win send the letter-now, and as for
Doctor Lanes recent marriage, one
can hardly call that libelous, you
know Your ignorance concerning 1t
does not necessarily imply that 1t did
not take place"
IF Doctor Lane knew Of this you
would suffer-" she said passionately.
ut is libelous because Arthur does not
owe one penny In this town, and you
know IT. When he sees your letter."
She stopped suddenly and paled.
Brayton smiled How can he see
the letter Miss WoodT Why should
he hear about til Are you not con-
scientlous enough to keep within your
own confidence the matters that go
through this office? Doesn't the firm
have your loyaltyF'
Then new voice broke into the
conversation. Mr.. Brown-Pettit stood
IN the doorway dlspleasure written
large on his benign countenance.
Excuse me for intrudlng, Brayton,
but may | see the letter in question:
Brayton WINGED, hesltated and in
sudden anger tore the letter into bits
which lie tossed into the wastepaDer
basket Then he walked 10 the window
and stared out with jealous, miserable
eyes He knew that his connection
with the firm would soon end
Have you carbon copy OF the
letter, Miss Wood?' Mr.. Brown-Pettlt
was asking. He followed Evelyn to her
desk and she produced It.
81 understand that you are engaged
to the DOCTOR" he remarked mildly;
don't let this yenomous letter annoy
you or stir your faith In him. He
came to see my wife last night-she is
III, you know, and he was telling about
your engagement, and that you expect
ed TO be married in the fall. ! Will
see you through, my dear Miss Wood,
and am afraid that BraytOn viii
have to sever his connection with u.s."
Evelyn smiled through her tears.
please don't do that, Mr.. Brown
Petit I am sure 1t was just jeal-
ousy that prompted the whole thing
and as soon as / leave 1t will be
all right know James Brayton has
the making Of brilliant lawyer-and
| am so happy that / don't want any
one else to be unhappy
And James Brayton's wedding pres
ent to them was a mute testimony to
the appreciation felt for Evelyn's gen
crosby toward jealous man.