The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-07-27

"Oh, no. The lady with her foot on
the ball. There, she strikes"
Julia followed his eyes, and saw Car
rie turn with a laugh from croquet
which had carried CONSERVATION to the
heart of her antagonist.
"She's a charming creature. Where
is she from?"
"She lives here" replied Julia, lit
tie coldly, leading the way, and, the
game being over, making the requested
Introduction.
"Most happy" said the Captain,
bowling low.
Frank would not yield his place, the
result being that Carrie had two satel-
lites instead of one. In the rambles
about the grove, the games, and dane
ing, the thin muslins of the other ladies
suffered, and soon became rather I'M
slightly draggled robes. Their lovely
hats were caught in bushes and torn 4;
and, if taken off, the delicate skin, un-
used to exposure, suffered. But Car
rie's dress freshly maintained its own.
1t was short enough to be well out Of
the way, stiff enough to resist briers,
and at the end of the day still looked
cool and clean, being refreshing con-
trast to the mussy toilets of the other
ladies. The gentlemen appreciated
that, Captain De Lancy saying,
"Really, Miss Robbins, | ought not
to take the liberty to admire your dress,
but it is charming"
Carrie smiled, and he continued,
'But it's the wearer that graces it."
Carrie turned away, for he had been
paying compliments all day, and she
was too honest to think them all gen
uine.
"Hearl heart" shouted gentleman,
beating vigorously on tin pan, 'Miss
Livingston says there's fine view from
Sunset Rock. Who will make the trip
to see it?''
"Wnl you go, Miss Robbins?" in
quired the Captain.
"Miss Carrie is engaged to 90 with
me-" asserted Frank Warden, boldly !;
and Carrie, glad of the change, con-
firmed him.
Quite party set out; but as there
were several paths, it soon came to pass
that Frank and Carrie were alone.
"I'm going up that cliff" said Car
rie, indicating steep rock.
impossible"
al will. See, here's a little path"
"In travel any path with you," re-
piled Frank; and with much scrambling,
holding of twigs, perilous slips, and
precariOus footing, up they went, and
sat painting on the top. They could
hear their party on the other side lit
tie below them, but a thick growth of
trees prevented their seeing them.
They were well repaid by the fine view
and the beautiful sunset, Carrie very
much enjoying the little rock-chamber
and the reputation of having accom-
plished what none of the other ladies
had. As the gold and red curtains
closed over the suns departing face,
and blush, which slowly paled before
the approaching twilight, stole over the
sky, the two became confidential, and
| Carrie said,
"How odd it was for Captain De
Lancy to admire my dress. It's only a
cambria"
4" Not odd at ALL"
"And it's funny, too" Then she told
him all about her quandary and subse-
quent independence.
"Was that the dress you were wash
ing yesterday"
!" Yes; did you see me?" with a deep
blush.
"Didn't l! I never saw any thing
so lovely. And this isn't the sort of
thing the others wearl l like that. l
never loved you so well before"
"Mr. Warden!" flashed out Carrie
eyes, Carrie, you're the girl for me.
I've known it a good while. Do come
and wash dresses where can see you !;
wash them for me-"
al can tell you, Mr. Warden" cried
Carrie, rising, 81 don't generally wash
my clothes, and l don't like such non
sense"
"It's all true," he said, gently press
| ING her down again. 81 love you,
Carrie-have come to take you back to
California with me-"
81 don't want to co. replied Carrie,
with an averted face.
"But only consider. / love you so
much that l came back for you, ran the
risk of losing my business, and if you
don't return as my wife you'll never see
me again"
Franks tone was grave enough, and
his face very red, as he tried to see
her eyes. Carrie pulled at the moss,
and said, family:
al don't want to be married"
"Oh, Carrie" he replied, with half
groan, 90 think of met"
Carrie made no reply.
"Don't you love meeh pleaded Frank,
putting his arm about her.
Carrie moved a little, and still did
not speak; but he was evidently wait
ing for an answer, and at last she said,
4" Yes" with jerk.
"Then you'll marry me-"
"No-that is-not now."
"Oh yes; why not?"
Because" she replied, facing him,
married people are tied up. l should
have to do as you say, and you know L
like to be independent.
81 wouldn't want you to do any thing
you didn't want to-"
"Oh, know how it would be- re-
piled Carrie, springing up.
"You don't. You should do just as
you pleased. Now, will you give me a
| klss?'
Carrie turned look of indignation
upon him, which was basely taken ad-
vantage of, and the kiss was stolen.
"Mr. Warden!" and away she ran.
"Oh, don't go down there!" he cried
"You can't; you'll hurt yourself. At
any rate, wait until 1 come to help you. -
Carrie did not heed, but went on ;
and in a moment a crash informed
Frank that his fears had been realized.
He hastened to the spot, and found her
sitting very still, apparently studying
1 the ferns.
care you hurtP"
"It's nothing"
"Shall we 20 onP"
"No, don't wish to.
"You are hurt; let me help you
rise;" this very anxiously.
"I don't wish to rise.''
"But you can't sit here all night. I'll
get help"
81 don't want any help" Carrie
started up, but fell back, with white
face.