The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1874-11-19

81 thank YOu." was all that MIR. S6erry
could say in return. and an embarrassing
silence followed, during which they gaZed
from separate windows off toward the
ocean. Happily for them, other people
now entered. Shortly after, the clouds
rolled away, the sun came out suddenly,
and Violet said that she would trouble Mr..
Sterry to order her carriage. When it
came he conducted her to it.
As she was about to enter, she said in a
casual way:
"Perhaps you will drive back to town
with me?'' q. g-'ssg
He hesitated and began, 81 fear that l
shall intrude?'
mo" said Violet and pointed to the
seat beside her.
To say that he thoroughly enjoyed the
ride would be but to family portray his
] beatific state of mind. Never was air so
sweet, or sky and sea so bright. The
commonest objects by the road side had
an unusual beauty, while all nature sang
a LaudGmIs. And he joined in spirit.
The spires of the town appeared far too
soon, and declining Violet's offer to have
the coachman take him to his lodgings af-
ter she had been left at her own door, he
walked away with his heart full of peace
and JOY. = 3 - ~ - - '&--A - .
To dwell alone with his own bliss was
all that he wished. He could not but feel
that the presence of any one else was irk-
some-it was as if they robbed him of
something actual and tangible when they
broke iIr on his train Of thought. Sweet
possibilities walked hand in hand with
more sober probabilities in shadowy pro-
eeSsion, and at the end of the vista was the
idol in its shrine, before which he laid as
votive offerings, all that was best and no
blest within him.
The next day Miss DaHfOrth sought the
shop on some idle pretext, and fingered
| long over the counter strewn with small
wareS.-At last, as she received her tiny
parcel. she said in a voice, so low that it
gave confidential air to the remark, 81
should be pleased to have you call, )" and
hearing his gratified assent, she raised the
blue-gray eyes to his, and it was as seal
to the fact.
He came that very evening. Vieletre-
ceiyed him, dressed in, know not what.
of gauzy material of the faintest blue. If
she had seemed beautiful before, thrice
more so was she now. As gem loses not
| by its setting. so she in her own home,
with all its appointments of elegant lIIXu-
ry. gained by the surrounding. z-r
The evening passed quickly. He talked
well, and so did she; and both listened
well. They spoke of books, of old-world
literature and of new-world authors. The
hour when he Rust 60 had the waspish
sting plucked from 1t by an invitation to
- call soon again, y ooyly and firmly given
| and warmly and earnestly accepted.
So passed days into weeks, until, by
the latter part of August, acquaintance
had ripened into intimacy. There were
walks, and drives, aud church-goings to-
! gether. and books and flowers to remind
her of him when they were not together.
Mr.. Sterry had not yet spoken definitely
of his love. but he was sure, and il was
quite time that Violet knew, of what was
unsaid. s--.s
Aunt Danforth, now able to walk. had
been ordered to the country, and Violet
was to accompany her. This was terri
BILE sorrow TO Mr.. Sterry. He was not free
TO go with her. Unlike this silly of the
field" life for him meant to toll if not to
spin. rl I'D ,..s..-it-,t
The fateful evening came at last. They
had been reading Mrs. Browning's LADY
Geraldine's Courtship." As he closed the
book. he turned TO Violet and said
|. @Do YOU not believe she loved him tru-
-lly? Is it not possible to forego distinction
j In rank for loves sake!" -t
I Violet hesitated.
He continued 80 Oh. why should ask
Indirectly what / long to know? 1t may
seem presuming in mel know not how
to say it--and yet l love you VIII you
not, can you not, give me any kope"
| Violet did not speak for some time. Mr.
Sterry augured well from her silence. Al
last. She said: al cannot"
but why cannot your
She did not answer. The silence was
unbroken.