The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1874-06-11

/ resolved not to go to Shelby again;
and declared, moreover, that was afflicted
with disorder of the throat, for which
the physician prescribed letting my beard
grow.
One day | was about TO start of on
fishing excursion. and was lingering under
the trees with Kate. when young lady
entered the yard and approached us.
. If there isn't Rose Blake!' exclaimed
Kate, starting up to greet her. why,
Rose, how do you do? It's an age since
I've seen YOU"
" Yes, but it's so dreadful hot to walk
out here. How have you been, Kate?'
''Very well. Let me introduce you to
Mr.. Bentley. Mr.. Bentley, Miss Blake"
We shook hands, and eXchangeda few
words, after which Miss Blake said
snow must tell you the errand that
brought me here. Our Sunday-schOol,
you know, needs a new library, and we
are going TO have a lecture by Cough. If
we can sell tickets enough to make some
thing. | thought perhaps your father
would take some, and am sure Mr.. Bent
ley Will"
She cast upon me an alluring look of
appeal, which was of course irresistible.
:" / shan't be here when the lecture takes
place, probably faltered.
30, that makes no difference. 1t will
help us out the same, whether you at
tend or not. Just put your name down,
and the tickets will be ready next week"
The matter ended by my subscribing for
five tickets, though by so doing | was
plunging into a difficulty beside which
the others through which | had passed
dwindledinto insigniticance. What would
| have to say when she presented the tick
cts?
Waiting until it was nearly dark, whis-
pered to Kate, as we sat in the parlOr, that
| had something to say to her.
please to come this way | said; and
as she rose, I drew her hand within my arm.
| led her under the shade of lOw-grOwing
oak, that we might be out of reach of un-
ObtruSive ear or eye. We sat down on a
rustic bench. .--.-r
Il hardly know how to begin" said,
hesitatingly. 81 presume you will think
what have to say very strange"
She turned her face toward me, but in the
the darkness | could notsee its expression.
She did not speak.
"Since | have been here" | continued,
" l have been acting the part of a-well
perhaps not a deceiver exactly, but
ah-o
"What can you mean?" asked Kate, in
wonder, as hesitated.
TO come to the point at once" re-
sumed, . | hope you will not despise me
after what | say but the fact is, | am
going to ask of YOU what | never asked
of a woman before Here | hesitated
again.
"GO on" she murmured.
Good heavens what a world of sugges-
tiOn there was in her word and tonei Was
it possible that she thought me possessed
of assurance enough to speak thus early in
our acquaintance of the subject nearest my
heart 1t could not be. Yet there was
possibility that such was the case. Sup
pose it were-would she tell me to ''gO on"
in that way? My brain was in frenzy OF
perpleXity.
"DOn't misunderstood me. Miss Kate"
| said. ''IfyOu grant this favor tonight,
and do not deSpise me. shall endeavOr to
make myself worthy of askinga still great
er one at some time. But tonight | only
want my utterance was chOked for an
instant, but suddenly flinging off all hesi-
fancy, blurted out recklessly, 81 wantyou
to lend me a dollar! !"
Kate gave a start OF surprise, and then
commenced laughing. What a long,
hearty, maddening laugh it was. In fact
it provoked me a little. and this feeling
brought with it self-pOssesSiOn.
"What are you laughing at?' | de
manded.
20, Mr.. Bentley, please tell all about it.
knew something was the matter. Was
your pocket picked, or what?"
"'rhcn you have noticed, have you?"
GLOW could | help it?''
oil I nc ttral1 n1al-n p1na1
breast of it, | said and thereupOn re-
counted my mishap and stupid blunder,
and consequent trouble and embarraSs-
ments. She again laughed at me unmerci-
fully, for which did not care much. hay
ing got on such confidential terms with
her.
But the dOllar-will you lend it to me y
| said, on concluding.
80, certainly" she replied, starting to
rise.
wait moment" exclaimed, with
sudden accession of spasmodic courage.
There is another thing | would like to
speak of. Perhaps better opportunity to
talk it over will not occur"
She sat down by me, and we talked it
over. 1t was very commonplace matter
one that had been talked over by thou
sands and millions of men and women, and
yet always with lowvoice, throbbing heart,
and new sweet interest. Need | tell you
what it waS:" .-
twas subsequently discussed betweenus
more fully, and NAV add, more coherent
ly; and both Colonel Moggerton and my
father seemed TO be very well pleased.
The first investment made with Hates
dollar, was to buy some stationery and
postage stamps. Immediately wrote home
to my brother John, requesting him by all
that was sacred to send me twenty dollars,
which he did without delay. When got
shaved, | treated Kate to ice-cream, and
bought the lecture tickets. Col. MOgger-
ton never knew the story of my empty
pocket-bOok.
Heigh-hO These things took place six
years ago. I'll be glad when Kate and the
babies come home.