The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-07-22
THE LIGHTHOUSE AT AyONDALE.


A wot east wind came blowing across
the moor that stretched eastward from
Merideth House. A wet wind, that blew
nobody good. but was full of miasma and
heavy with the odor of decaying nature
sat by the window and looked out upon
the dreary autumn Landscape, almost hid
den now by the shadows of the dTeary
autumn cleaning.
Mamma moved the lamp upon the table,
so that its rays fell upon the window near
which | was sitting, and out upon the
gravel walk beyond, lighting small space
with the radiance of day. | gaZed out
listlessly. A figure came out from the
dark shadows, into the lighted space. The
erect figure of a man, and NJ stood, mo-
tionless, looking up at the window, the
blaze of light falling upon his handsome,
daring face. | bit my lip to keep back
scream, and my heart beat so loudly
feared mamma would hear it. The man
outside smiled, and made a gesture which
signifird Come OUT But I turned nv
face away, determined not to betray nv
knowledge of his presence. Why did he
haunt me so, when he knew howl had
determined 70 forget him-when he knew
how absolutely necessary it was that |
should put all thoughts of him out of my
mind. now and forever.
Mammals voice broke the oppressive
silence. " hope this is not the fOrerunner
of the equiusctial Storm she said, - but
almost fear it j.. Ii will be an unsafe
time for suips TO cross the lake, if the
storm comes ON with its u,ual force. ROllin
will he here Thursday night, he wrote,
and this is Saturday. | hope the storm
will blow over in a day or two. | should
not Ike TO have your wedding postponed
on nv account. It is an evil Omen."
MY weddingr' Yes, was TO be mar
riel the following F iday, To ROllin Wealth
erbee. heir of the Weatherbee estat' S, and
the We ttherbee pride, and blonde beaury.
had been engaged TO him two ears, and
all that time il had been understood that |
should wed him on my eighteenth birth
day. and the day drew very near. | had
loved him very dearly, | thought. and
was very proud of him. But three months
ago, few weeks after our arrival at Meri-
deth House, where we had come to remain
until afler the wedding, met with little
adventure which had altered the whole
matter. 80 far a. | was concerned, and put
my foolish young heart in a tumulr.
was out for gallop, on my pony, Sinbad,
when gale of wind came up. and my hat
was blown from nv head. | ielt it GO
ing. and threw up both hands just as Sin
bad, with snort, gave leap which I'M
seated me; and topped over his side and
down upon the ground, aud lay stunned
fer a moment, while Snbad galloped
away. | was not seriously hurt, only
stunned, aud soon rose to my feet and
bluShtd my tangle of brown hair out of
nv eyes 10 see Sinbad struggling to free
his bit from the iron grip of a mans hand
young man, with 1.-THE, erect figure,
dress d in hunting suit that well dis
played the tiger like grace of his person.
He held the frightened animal until he
ceased to plunge and rear, and then led
him, touching his cap lightly as he neared
ne, and looking me through with his
dark eyes. Il beg your pardon" he
said. - saw the accident that befell you,
and was Just in time to catch your beast
by the bit as he plunged by. | hope you
are not seriously injured" "
"Not at all, - answered; only little
bruised. Thank you for saving me two
mile tramp home, to find mamma fright
ened to death at the return of Slnbad with
out me-"
He assisted me into the saddle and
walked by my side on toward Merideth
House.
:" am going TO see you safe home, un-
less you forbid IT," he said. "You may
know of, and do not think it safe for you
10 ride home alone. You are very pale,
assure you, and your hand is unsteady al
the rein."
did feel nervous and weak, and was
not at all unwilling the young stranger
should walk at my side; he looked Sc
handsome. with his gun slung carelessly
over his shoulder and his rather reckless
f c. turned up to ME. He walked by my
side TO the house and assisted me from tht
saddle, and at my urgent request came II
and received mammals thanks for wHat h'
had done. He bowed with pTincely grace
saving, Breeze Rogers, madam, is highly
honoTed in having the opportunity to dt
YOU OF your daughter a service" AnC
then he left us, with one last glance of hi:
dark, passionate eyes.
The very next day he came back, bring
ing my scarf. which was lost when fel
from the horse. And after that he came
off and on, whenever he could find pre-
text or exc9se. until mamma became an.
moved at the frequency Of his calls, snC
fearing that he was not a suitable person
for an associate. made inquiries of the mar
who had taken charge of Merideth House
all the wears we were absent. What ht
told her did not help the matter any
aRreece Rogers, miami Yes, | know
him His father WAS old Squire Rogers
and fine old gentleman he was, with {
GOOD property that he had amassed by
hard work. But Breeze was wild la'
from the first: and as soon as he came q
age he grew worse instesd of better, an'
in three wears time had spent all bis own
nronerfv. and then his father died, leav
mo him his. That was scarce two year
AGO. but the fine estate is n gh used a.
with fast living, and the young man ]
going to the bad, mann, as quick as n
can go. He is a handsome. LAD; put 4
wild one, and will ever be ane'er-do'weii
I-fesr,"