The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-03-09

J } HtfOHa. y II -
ing to take me there hen we return
from our wedding tUur. ,4unty he says
is the sweetest place poets fancy cal
devise, with fountains and shrubberie
and delicious copses. Oh, shall we no
be happy there?"
She started up with bright sudder
blush; for even while the words were
trembling on her j. ;, Philip Acre came
/ into the room, his handsome face look
ing a little troubled, yet cheerful withal
Mrs. Wyllis with an arch nod at heI
niece, disappeared into the perfumed
perspective of the conservatory, leaving
/ the lovers to themselves.
you are looking grave, Philip,
said Edith, as he bent over and kissed
! her cheek.
" And am feeling so, darling.
have very unpleasant disclosure to
make to-night-our marriage must be
postponed Indefinitely"
4" Philip, for What reason?"
"To enable me, by diligent labor at
my profession, to realize sufficient
means to support you, dearest, in a
manner satisfactory to your fathers ex-
pectations and my own wishes"
"But, Philip, thought"
% You thought me the heir of Thomas
MOrtimer's wealth? So | was, Edith,
"A few hours since, but | have relin-
quished all claim to it now. When |
accepted the bequest, was under the
impression that no living heir existed.
| learnt to-day that distant cousin-a
woman-is alive, although my lawyer
tells me, in ignorance of her relation
ship to Thomas Mortimer. OF course
| shall transfer the property to her i'm
mediately"
but, Philip, the will has made it
legally yours"
illegally, it has; but, Edith, could |
reconcile it TO my ideas of truth and
honor, to avail myself of old Mortimer's
fanciful freak at this woman's expense?
| might take the boarded wealth, but |
should never respect myself again could
1 dream of legally defrauding the right
ful heir. Nay, dearest, | may lose name
and wealth, but would rather die than
suffer single stain on my honor as a
Christian gentleman"
"You have done right, Philip" said
Edith, with sparkling eyes. 1--WE will
wait, and hope on, happy in loving one
another more dearly than ever. But
who is She? What is her name?''
"That's Just what | didn't stop to in
quire. Twill write again to my lawyer
to ask these questions and to direct that
deed of conveyance be instantly made
out; and then, my darling"
His lips quivered moment-yet he
manfully completed the bitter sentence,
''Then / will begin the battle of life
over again"
And Edith's loving eyes told him what
she thought of his noble self-abnegatiOn
"a sweet testimonial. |r.
"Heml'' said DIR. Wyllis, polishing
his eyeglasses magisterially, with a
silk crimson pocket-handkerchief; 81
didn't suppose the young fellow had so
much stamina about him-a very hon
orable thing to do. Edith, | have never
felt exactly sure about Phil Acres be-
ing worthy of you before"
"Papa!n
''But my mind is make up now.
When is he coming again?"
"This evening"" faltered Edith, the
violet eyes softly dropping.
"Tell him, Edith, that he may have
you next Wednesday, just the same as
ever! And as for the law practising
why, there's time enough for that after
wards. Child, don't strangle me with
your kisses-keep them for Phil"
He looked after his daughter with
eyes that were strangely dim.
''Tried-and not found wanting!"
he muttered, indistinctlv.
The perfume of orange-blOssOms had
died away, the glimmer of pearls and
satin were hidden in velvet caskets and
travelling trunks, and Mr.. and Mrs.
Acre, old married people of full a
months duration, were driving along a
country road, in the amber glow of a
glorious June sunset.
Halo, which way is Thomas 60
ing?" said Philip, leaning from the win
dow, rs the carriage tHrned out Of the
main road.
al told him the direction to take,
Phil" said Edith, with bright, spark
ling eyes. "Let me have my own way,
Just for once. Ne are going to our
new home.n
"Are we?" said Phil, with a comical
grimace. "It is to be love in a cottage,
| suppOses"
Wait until you see, siri" said Mrs.
Acre, pursing her little rosebud of a
mouth. And Philip waited duteously.
"Where are we?" he asked, in aston
ishment, when the carriage drove up in
front of a stately pillard porticO, which
seemed to be not unfamiliar to him.
"Surely 4" this is Mortimer Plaee!"
81 shouldn't be surprised if it was, y
said DR.. Wyllis, emerging from the
doorway. "Walk in, my boy-come,
Edith! Wei, how do you like your new
home?''
"Our new homer" repeated Philip.
81 do not understand you, sir"
"Why, | mean that your little wife
Wonder is the sole surviving relative OF
Thomas Mortimer, although she never
knew it till this morning. Her mother
was old Mortimer's cousin, but some
absurd quarrel had caused total cessa-
ton of intercourse between the two
branches of the family. l was
aware of the facts all along; but
wasn't sorry to avail myself of the OPP
portunity of seeing what kind of stuff
YOU were made of, Phil Acre! And
now, as the deed of conveyance isn't
made out yet, l don't suppose your
lawyer need trouble himself about it.
The heiress WON'T quarrel with you, III
be bound.r -EI l-s .f-s -
Philip Acres cheek flushed, and then
grew pale with strong, hidden emotion,
as he looked at his fair wife, standing
beside him, when the sunset turned her
bright hair to coils of shining gold, and
thought how unerringly the hand OF
Providence had Strengthened out the
tangled web of his destiny.
Out of the darkness had come light
Dogs Better than Sheep in Tennessee.
r A few days ago a gentleman was rid
ing through the barrens in the eastern
mart of- Cannon County. when he over.