The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-04-06
MARGARETS MISSION.

daughter. " i suspect, my dear Meggy,
your mission is to ilirt and Dance
Mrs. Alleyne was wealthy, and Mar
garet was her only child. Her whole
life was spent in rendering her daugh-
ter happy, so Margaret was petted to
her hearts content. To look as pretty
and bewitching as possible, TO be ar
rayed like solomon i'm all his glory from
morning till night, to pass her time in
an endless succession of gayety, was
her child's mission, according TO Mrs
Alleyne's idea; SO Margaret received all
the gifts fortune showered upon her
as a matter of course, and enjoyed life
as her mother expected she would do.
At last Margaret met her fate, to the
great wonderment of her friends, in
the person of John Graham, wealthy
young merchant; for Margaret Alleyne,
with her baby face and coquettish man
ner, was the last person in the world
you would imagine the grave business
man would love, and he the most I'M
likely of all her suitors to carry off the
belle. But Margaret did love her lover !;
he was SO grave and clever. So amidst
the congratulations of his friends and
bore his fair bride off to his home.
He was very much in love with pretty
Margaret. The soft, rose-fushed face,
the tender blue eyes, the crinkled gol-
den hair, never lost their charm for
him. But he never dreamed that this
little fragile creature could share the
burden of life with him. No, that dim
pied face was only made for smiles, so he
indulged and caressed her, but his cares
he bore alone.
The large fortune left by Johns fa-
ther had been doubled by his energy; but
now, by the simultaneous failure OF two
or three firms he had trusted and the
villainy of confidential clerk, the
wealthy merchant saw himself upon the
brink of ruin. Love rendered Margaret
keen-sighted; she quickly perceived that
all was not right with her husband;
his wan, haggard face frightened her.
But dearly as she loved him she was
too proud to seek his confidence; so
both were wretched, though each en-
deavored to conceal it from the other
When John saw that ruin was inevi-
table he wrote to Mrs. Alleyne, frankly
disclosing the state of affairs. The
mother insisted that her daughter
should return TO her; her husband
could claim her when fortune again
smiled upon him; but in the meantime
Margaret was better with her; to spare
her anxiety, it was better she should
not know of her husbands difficulties.
With heavy heart John agreed to
all Mrs. Alleyne's demands. Marga-
ret's love was the only brightness left
in his life; but of course if she could be
happier with her mother he could sac
rifice it. His stern, pale face and con-
strained manner affected Margaret pain
fully when he told her he desired her to
accept her mothers invitation.
=" He no longer loves me-he wishes
me to leave him." the poor child cried
afterwards, in a passion of tears. But
before him she presented a calm eXte-
rior, and John Graham thought that his
young wife, like the rest of the world,
was ready to desert the ship.
SO Margaret returned to the home of
her girlhood, calling all her pride to
her assistance to enable her to appear
Indifferent; but her heart was rent by
bitter pangs, for she had persuaded
herself that her husband no longer
loved her Whole nights spent in tears
leave traces; pretty Margaret grew
pale and thin, and Mrs. Alleyne began
to fear that, after all, her tenderness
could not constitute her darling's hap
pineSs. Still, the girl never complain
ed, but bore her burden in proud silence.
One night Margaret was at ball
given by an intimate friend. She had
danced a great deal, and being very
tired sat down near an open window; a
heavy curtain entirely concealed her.
Two gentlemen were standing near,
and she heard the conversation dis
tinctly.
$50 John Graham is bankrupt. I
am very sorry to hear it; he is a most
honorable fellow" said one.
"Yes," answered the other; al saw
him last week; he looks wretchedly.
You know he married Miss Alleyne, a
pretty little doll without an idea, and
what is worse, without heart; now she
has deserted him in his adversely. 1t
is rather hard when a mans own wife
viii not aid him to bear his trouble"
Margaret's heart gave a great bound.
How she had miSjudged him! How true
and tender he wasl He was alone and
in trouble; surely her place was at his
side. Their, needless of comments, she
left her hiding-place.
The next day John Graham's stately
mansion was to be sold. He had taken
great pride in his home; a thousand
tender associations were connected
with every room. Now, with n heavy
heart, he wandered through the desert
ed apartments. Here was Margaret S
piano; the harp he had given her; the
pictures and statues they had chosen
together; every article appeared like
an old friend. Then a feeling OF in
tense desolation crept over him-he was
SO utterly lonely. The strong spirit
was almost crushed. He threw himself
upon the bed and wept like a child. a
quick step upon the stairs, rustic OF
silken robes, glad cry, then clinging
arms were twined about his neck, a
soft cheek was pressed TO his, tangled
golden curls mingled with his dark
locks. Was it a dream? He pressed
her close TO make sure Of the reality,
and kissed her with such passionate
fervor that Margaret wept for Joy.
Margaret, my wife-Margar2ti he
sobbed.
"Oh, John, how cruel You we're to
send me awayi IN never leave you
again, darling"
when they had both regained calm.
ness. John Graham explained 10 hi:
wife that the next day the house was tc
no sold-he could not take her into
lodgings-perhaps she had better re
turn 10 her mother. But Margaret firm
ly refused.