The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-10-21

sweet interest. But am not so selfish
as to desire your wretchedness," he
added, "and believe me you have no
cause for apprehension on my account.
Icome to conduct you to your father,
by his request .-,,-.
The interview between the minister
and his unhappy daughter we viii not
attempt to describe.
"Take her away, Dudley" said the
trembling parent as she tainted on re-
eeiving his parting embrace. 81 give
her TO you. l did wish to have united
you to each other even in this fearful
prison, according to your request, but
she would not consent. 1t is not that
she does not appreciate you as you
merit, but she fears to bring evil on you.
When her father is no more, and this
dread infatuation has passed away,
claim her as your bride. Take her
hence now, Dudley; treat her tender
ly-honOrably. Be a brother to her.
Poor child! She will have need of kind
ness" A carriage with an aged ser
want of Mr.. Danvers waited without,
and the wretched Agnes was conveyed
home. rz ~ Er q
"Ohl Miss Agnes, what terrible
news!" cried her attendant, running
into the chamber of the afflicted girl two
days after; " our only friend, Mr.. Dud-
ley, is charged with bewitching Mrs.
Darrell. She fell sick the day Miss
Sarah refused to visit you, and they all
say he is the cause, for they heard him
denounce woe against them if they did
not prove friends to you. Only think
of it.n
But Agnes could not think. With a
wild scream she sank insensible on the
bed from which she had partly risen.
But she was too acutelv miserable to re-
main long unconscious. As soon as re-
collection came back again she rose and
dressed herself. determined, weak as she
was, to 90 TO Mr.. Darrell's and use all
the eloquence of which she was mistress
to convince the family of the falsity of
their charge. They heard her with ap-
parent concern, and Mrs. Darrell as
sured her it was not her desire that any
harm should befall the young man.
Hannah Goodwin was there, and she in
timated that she saw no possible means
of escape for him, since suspicion had
been excited in the minds of many by
his own words respecting Sarah's pa
rents, unless Sarah would accept him
and become his wife. Then, she added,
people would naturally suppose the ac-
cuSation was erroneous. Sarah wept
and expressed her fears lest she should
prove the next victim to popular preju-
dice, since she had been seen so frequent
ly with Dudley and visited Agnes so
openly. Poor Agnes returned home,
half distracted, having gained but ore
source of comfort from her errand. She
learned that Dudley was not yet apprc-
hended, though the civil powers were in
pursuit of him; he was supposed to have
absconded. Great was the surprise and
delight of our heroine when he himself
| greeted her as she entered her own little
parlor. He supported her tottering
steps to a chair, and eagerly and earn
es.iv thanked her for her efforts in his
behalf, which he learned from the at
tendant.
- do not need any favors from the
Darrells, y he said, when in. broken ac'
cents she enabled him to divine rather
than communicated the only chance o
safety they had limited as possible. q
am in no danger, dearest Agnes, and if
were, their suggestion could never b'
received. / know them all better thar
YOU do, and understand the maneuver
But could you, knowing my devotion
wish me to become the husband 0
Sarah?'' he asked reproachfully.
d. " Any thing, any thing to save you
OH Dudley, think of my dear father
fate!'' and she wept bitterly.
"YOur father yet lives, dear Agnes
and who knows what may be done fo
him. His child's fervent prayer may ye
be heard. Trust in God, Agnes. hav
learnt a lesson of faith from your fathe
and his daughter, which L hope never
forget. have not seen you for tw
days, but l have not thought of you tn
less. Agnes, are you prepared to hea
something very pleasant?' he added
hesitatingly, fearing the effect of abrupt
ness on her delicate frame.
She looked up eagerly, anxiously, an
graSped his arm.
You would not deceive me with falls
hope?n
SNo. My own hazard became til
means of advantage to US all. 70
.. know we have wealth, influence, powe
which Mr.. Danvers has not. The
have been used successfully. The e.
element is abating, and-your father
reprieved!"