The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1874-08-20


( the light Of morning. Til then, adeu
The note was neither verf7ong nor very
1 labOred; and yet TO Arthur il seemed to
contain pith. eloquence, and music-all the
/ best elements of epistOlary literature.
In fact, so striking were these character
/ istics that he caught himself perusing the
| Inscription no less than six times. and
/ finally. having locked it up in the writing
desk. he was impelled to take seventh
glance at it to assure himself as to the ex-
act rendering of one of the expressions.
Then followed an interval of meditation
which lasted till nearly midnight, and after
this he lighted fresh cigar and stepped
ont on a little balcony underneath his
window for quiet smoke, as was his Gus
tom before retiring.
He had not been long thus engaged be-
fore be perceived in the yard below a fe
male figure clad i'm white, emerging from
behind the corner of the house. ltmoved
forward a short distance, and then the face
was turned upward toward him. He rose
from his chair and moved to the side of
the balcony, and the figure made a stimuli
taneOus dart forward and disappeared
among the trees. He watched narrowly.
and noted its fitting about from time to
time. now here. now there, but so nearly
concealed that he could distinguish no pc
cularity except its whiteness.
Here was the preface to an adventure too
good to be lost. He looked down, and
discovered that light lattice-work, the
support of climbing vine, connected the
floor of his balcony with the ground.
Stepping carefully over the balustrade, he
lowered himself till he reached the bot
tom. and happening to turn his head as
his foot touched the grass, he caught a
glimpse of the mysterious figure as il
glided suddenly around the house and out
of sight.
He paused and took counsel with him
self.
Should he pursue? No, he would con-
ceal himself behind yonder lilac-tree, and
await the reappearance of the ghOstly fugi-
tive. He did so.
Five minutes, ten, fifteen, and no specter.
He emerged from his ambuscade and peer
ed about. but not a sign of animate life
revealed itself any where, save the crOak
of some wakeful freq or the cry of an owl
i'm the distance. He resolved to make
the circuit of the house on tour of in
spectiOn.
Hardly had he proceeded dozen steps,
however, when rOunG the corner came the
figure. so close to him that he could touch
it. He sprang forward. There was Il
quick, stitled cry; the woman clasped her
hands, the moonlight fell on her face. 1t
was Madeline!
Miss Gregory ~ gaspedSetO astound-
ed.
"Oh, Mr.. Seton. is it you? Dear, dear
how you frightened me! | can hear my
heart beat, and | am almost sutfocated." p"
She gave little hysterical laugh.
L should think this fine fresh air would
dispel the very idea of suffocatiOn," re
marked Arthur. incredulOusly.
perhaps it will presently" she answer
ed. "WOuid you mind lending me your
arm as far as the settee? am almost faint
ing with my late shock"
" May | get you something's glass of
water, or a fan?'
"Neither, thank you. There, this will
do nicely"
She dropped with languid sigh down
on the settee.
lift is not a secret" said Seton, after
pause, 81 should like to know what brings
you out at this late hour"
my coming out is less of a mystery
than my staying here, is it notg' asked
Madeline, smiling.
AS you please. Why do you not re-
turn to the houSe?"
g came out because | thought air and
exercise would help my head | stay out
for the best of reasons"
:" Because"
Il cannot get back again. My kind
chaperOn came TO my room about 10 O'Clock
and urged me to dress and take a turn in
the open air. declined, and she left me
for the night An hour later | exercised
the wOman's prerogative, slipped out of an
open door at the rear of the house. and ran
ha Hrl,il
was a mad freak, ard brought its own
punishment. When attempted to return
found the door locked and the lights eX-
tinguiShed."
ECOuld YOU not call up the servants ?"
"They sleep, believe, at the top of the
house At all events, | was unable to make
them hear me-"
did you try the front dOOr?"
:" | approached it, but it was shut"
"There is bell.''
Il know it; unfortunately there is
something else before you reach the bell"
What is that?'
A dog"
"A mere snarling cur, l fancy"
Indeed! The piazza is only q few
steps from here; suppose you look for
yourSelt!"
Seton assented, and Offering his arm
again to Miss Gregory, led her around to
the front of the house.
On the piazza lay something large and
tawny that rose as they advanced. There
was slight rattle of chain. and low,
hoarse sound, as of distant thunder, as
huge mastiff, with eyes that glittered
ominOusly in the moonlight, and a griZZ-
ly, black-edged mouth opened just wide
enough to display a faultless row of pol
;ebal itrp,x- rnSa m hic f.aat
Leaving Miss Gregory in the path, Ar
thur approached alone.
Good dog! nice old fellow!" he re-
marked, patroniZingly.
The "nice old fellow" met his advances
with a smOthered grOwl, that might mean
almost anything in the canine vocabulary.
There's nothing the matter with the
brute, I'm sure" said Arthur. in a tone of
encouragement. HedOesn't tlOok vicious.
He's kind enough, doubtless, if you un-
derstoOd managing him."
POSSIBLY that is what did not under
stand,' replied Madeline. +" Twas satisfied
that there must be some explanation for
his behavior when | was here before.
Probably did him great injustice in not
placing the blame where it belonged"
Seton assumed an air of confidence, and
directed his steps toward the bell. He
succeeded in drawing very near, and raised
his hand.
BE careful :" called his companion.
The warning came just in the nick of
time. The mastiff. had been gazing fixed
" at Arthur's right arm, as though await
ing a signal, and now sprang up on his
hind legs and buried his teeth in what for
tunatelv proved to be only his sleeve. =.
A sleeve is hardly satisfactory to mas
tiff bent on tasting blood; hence, lest the
animal should hasten to rectify his error,
his antagonist slipped deXterously out OF
his coat, and made a retrOgrade movement
at the same time, grasping the neither end
of the garment, which fell nearest the
steps.
Thereupon ensued a struggle in which
both parties seemed so well matched that
victory hung. as it were, in balance, till
a weak seam decided il by tearing asunder,
awarding the sleeve TO the dog and the
rest of the coat to Arthur.
- l think i've had great suficiency for
the present" observed the young man, as
he donned the mutilated raiment and
strobe away from the battlefield.
ou are man of expedients, MIR. Sc
] faF1 hadN