The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1874-05-14

that some one had come into the Ouuel
room, though all he had heard was sti
fled exclamation, and low "hushH' Ht
knew tine baby stopped its wailing, anC
that Mary brought TO him roll OF fine
soft linen that never came from the cot
tage stores; then he half heard quie
murmur Of gentle voice; but when his
work was done there was no stranger Wis
ible.
Giving his parting directions, he added
g Iou will need some delicacies, Mrs
Niles, and [ will see that Aunt Rachel
sends you some wine at once''
Indeed, sir! you're very good, but my
sweet child-AIiss Marston, sir-has been
here, and, see. she brought me wine and
fruit and jelly enough to last the master
for days. was her fOster-mother, sir; she
never forgets me, nor my Mary there.
Bless her sweet face! Why, sir, she treats
my girl like sister ~
Mary's eyes were full of tears, but she
must add her mite of praise.
80 Doctor. she was trying on dress at
the Madame's when they came for me, and
when she heard the tale she made her
cOachman bring me at once!"
Ies-well." said the Doctor, cOOlly,
/ though his heart rhrobbed "Bless hers
"I'll be here again before night There is
.
( pain ''-and he took his leave.
As he opened the gate there lay in his
path rosebud. OF course he picked it
up, and recognized it for the one he had
hidden in the smilaX leaves two hours be-
fore, though why he held it with Il caress
for second and then put it away in the
pocket of his visiting bOOkyOu must guess.
Had June seen the performance she would
have grown as red at her checks as one of
Ruskin's typical daisies.
Four o'clock came and the ceremOniOuS
visit was paid. Aunt Rachel's nerves were
destined to quiver three several times when
June laughed, while her disgust at finding
the Doctor had already been there was evil
dent enough. WOrsted work was her one
artistic fancy; Mrs. MarstOn was equally
an enthusiast in Berlin woods. and June
was asked to bring for display the marvel
Gus flOwer-piece then in construction.
The frame was large, so the Doctor gal
/ lantly held itwhile June quickly unpinned
! the cover from the delicate work. putting
the pins in her mouth, girl-fashion, till the
Docter could bear it no longer.
Don't, Miss June, That is horribly
/ dangerous,
"Pooh. I've always done it. The girls
at school called me the perambulating
I pin-cushiOn.'
"YOu may try it once too often. Ican't
bear to see you do So"
"When | swallow one you shall take it
out" laughed the gay girl. "DOn't you
cOvet the opportunity? You can say |
told you So all the time you are choking
metz
June. you are incorrigible. Put
down those pins!" was Mrs. MarstOn's
admonition. and June obeyed, with a
bit of rebelliOus pOuting that was bewitch-
ing.
The guests left almost Immediately after
duly admiring the work, and Aunt Rachel's
wrath found vent at once.
''She is like no young lady ever saw.
So self-assured and pert. The idea of
her answering you rs she did! When |
was girl we were taught to he quiet and
retiring. We never spoke TO gentlemen
unless to answer some question. We had
to te sought"
There was a mischievous retort on the
Doctors lips, but he only asked:
Aunt Rachel, you think Ruskin is an
authority in all matters of culture, don't
vOu?"
why, yes; but what has Ruskin to do
with June Marston?'
"Only this and the Doctor quietly
quoted the sentence about the tiresome
snOw-dropS.
"Humph, Mr.. Ruskin ought to see
iOn."
''Why, aunty! Why are you so preju-
diced? June has the kindest heart. You
told me yourself how warmly she greeted
her old playmate, though only a dress
makers apprentice"
- 1t was most improper to do it so pub
lcly," interrupted the spinster.
"Well, then she came to Mrs. Niles's as
soon as she heard of the accident; hushed
the baby, and with her own hands ana
gentle ways brought order out of confUI-
siOn."
lone swallow doesn't make sum-
mer, Reginald. She doubtless has kind
impulses, but your headlong people are
never constant. Did you see her at Mrs.
Niles's ?"-the last query was suspicion
No, was in the sick-roOm, and didn't
know she had been there until | came
away"
That was all the Doctor said. but some
how his hand crept into his pocket, touch
ing the poor little crushed bud he had hid
den there. with tender movement; and
he thought:
"POOr June. She must make her own
summer always; society prefers wintry
prOpriety."
The days flew by. Not one passed but
fresh flowers were sent for June, and twice
the Doctor encountered hera Mrs. Nies'S.
The last time there was just snow enough
for the sleighs to glide smoothly. The
temptation was irresistible, so he invited
the Young lady to ride, and June nestled
down beneath the fur robes quite forgetful
of everything but the electric excitement
in the keen air, the music of the bells and
the presence of DR.. Reginald. The longest
way is very apt to be selected under such
circumstances, so they sped along formOre
than an hour, Overtaking Aunt Rachel as
they dashed down the avenue.
Unlucky June! Some merry fancy just
then amused her, so it was her own un-
unstable laugh that flOated out, more clear
ly than the ringing of the merry bells.
Her otlense against Ashland decOrum had
been sufficient if she had only ridden qui-
oh! that laugh!
DIR. Reginald galantly lifted his hat, and
June bowed, but poor Aunt Rachel deem
ed it her duty to testify against "such go
ings on" and the winter wind was warm
compared with her salutatiOn. The Doc
tor was indignant. There was spice OF
chivalry in his nature that made him care
ten times as much for his sweet friend if
he must be her champion. He had meant
to take June home, but now" Aunt Ra-
chel should see how much he cared for her
frowns." So the prancing horses were
checked, then turned sharply round, be-
fore the good lady's astonished face, and
more miles were measured off before they
returned.
You must come in and warm yourself,
Doctor" pleaded June; so the merry
pair entered the house.
Mrs. Marston had grown used to the
Doctor; she saw that June didn't annoy
him, and wisely concluded to let them
alone in their innocent fun; so she greet
ed them graciously as they stood near the
glowing CRATE telling of - the splendid
ride" as June phrased it. Her hood was
tangled in her curls, its fringe had caught
in the fastening of her furS, she had two
pins in her fingers, and when those fingers
were wanted the pins went into her mouth,
while she talked on as gayly as ever {; and
the Doctor watched her, thinking how
charming it would be to have such a
- June" making summer for all ones
life.
"Oh, mother. the Doctors horses are