The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-06-15

sUdnalnS lS OF t8e pest, ana IND mere
he turned to Margaret-sss his love wa.
'fppre, honorable and sincere. Il, fwfC
have known him from boy, know tha
he was man who would scorn, to play
1 with any wo1nan's heart. -
Only piteous cry of Where car
he be2'' burst fEem the girlsuhps.
] tSHad he any enemies heree,' was the
next stern question.
No one knew of any. The frank,
bright nature -had-ROn friends all about
him Even Hall had been seen in
friendly CONVERSATION with the missing
man on the day Of his disappearance.
Every inquiry resulted in the same
disappointment, till the nine-days' won
der died ont and the mystery was un-
solved > .A--L L=SAsASsh.
The faithful heart that loved Harry
kept his image ever closely folded,
grieyiHg silently and in solitude, and
wearily resuming the routine of life.
Every duty of her humble, quiet life,
Margaret fulfilled with patient care
but her step was Sow and weary, her
face pale, and her eyes heavy with
weeping. But her uncle, who loved her
fondly, missed her ripping laugh, her
bsweet song. And it was a delicate
tribute he paid Margaret's sorrow that
he never once limited to her that there
] might be some diShonorable explana-
ton OF her lovers disappearance.
This idea haunted him. Since the de-
parture of the senior partner of the firm
there was no one TO speak of Harry in
terms of commentator, and specula-
tions were numerous in the village. A
wife secretly hidden away, who threat
ened exposure, was favorite theory.
Debt was another. Escape from pun
! ishment for some crime was a third.
But all. these theories were kept from
Margaret. no
Winter set in. Hall came often to
the cottage His face was one that
could mask an evil heart with an as
sumption Of rough frankness, and sell
dom had any one seen it as it revealed
itself when he listened at the cottage
window He had let the vessel, of
which he was first mate and part owner,
90 upon a long cruise without him, and
he employed all his time in a vigor-
Gus pursuit of his courtship. AS deep
ly as he could love any one he loved
Margaret; and he had felt secure OF her
favor until Harry Craige came. John
Hammelsley favored the sailors suit
heartily, and after Margaret had given
her grief its full sway for three months
she was hidden to "mope" no longer,
but cheer up, as there was just as
good fish in the sea as ever were caught.
So, with her sorrow as deep as at first,
her heart true as steel, the girl had to
be present when Hall came to the cot
tage, and listen to his rough wooing.
Again and again she refused his pres
entS, his compliments, his .offers to
escort her here or there. But the man
would not be driven away. Encouraged
by the upcle's liking, he persisted, in.
spite of Margaret S GOODNESS. Itwas not
in the girls nature to be discOurteOus
or unknd, and her general manner was
accepted as "a far greater encourage
ment than sac ever intended it 10 be.
The winter was long agony TO her. Her
uncle urged HALLS claims at every avail
able opportunity, and the sailor himself
was persistent in his attentions. And
while her days were busy, her evenings
wearily spent in uncOugenial society,
LMargaret's~ nights were restless and
memory haunted. Where was her lover
hidden?i Where was the dalk story of
crime written that carried him from her.
She never doubted him, and she kept
his memory bright in her heart. She
did not hope ever to meet him on earth
again, for she was sure that if he lived
he would return to her, but no other
love would ever obliterate his from her
heart. .-.r-.E-..-. fF
y Whole year Wore away, and Hall
had urged his suit. yebemently in the
preceding days, and Margaret realized
with sad heart, that her Steady refu-
sal of his suit was alternating heruncle's
affections. He could not understand
this constancy. Why should Margaret
live alone because 0ne man was false or
unfortunate? So he urged, as they sat
in the parlor of the little cottage and
Margaret listened with dropping head,
and hands folded weariE.G 4
"I can not marry, UNCLE" she said,
gently but firmly; "I can not forget
the only man | ever loved"
The garden gate changed, a step
erunched the gravel, and, without
Knocking, n man in rough sailors
dress, bearded and bronzed, stood in
the doorway. One look, and with a
cry Margaret sped to the open arms of
Harry Craige.
John Hammersly only stared, till
CHEEKY voice said:
q You see am sailor-a man after
your own heart.
"Bless my eyes! where did you come
fromP"
"06f the Sea Gull"
Whaling?n
Yes.n
"But what possessed you to go off in
that way?"
al will tell you. Sit here beside me,
Margaret. was shanghaid. Do you
know what that means, my pearl?
Your uncle does. l was drugged, car
ried aboard the Sea Gull, and recover
ed my senses when we were out of sight
of land, bound for a years whaling
crnise.n
"But who" began John Hammers
ley.
"William Hail. was the stern an
swer. she told me, Margaret, a week
before our wedding day, of friend of
his, captain of an East Indian vessel,
who had some curiosities that, would
please you, and rare shawls and Fabrics
to show me, also. / never thought of
treachery, aud when he sent me a note
to meet his friend in the village, drove
of. HsH-way on my tlip l met Hall,
and took. him up. We drove toss small
tavern, and while we waited drank a
glass of wine with Hall. A numbness
soon seized me, my head grew dizzy,
and l knew no more untilsl ayyoke on
board whaling vessel in the dress of a
common sailor .7rr-r az,
'sThe scoundrel!" muttered John
Hammersley. si'1 sa1 '5.yai .'.. s@
al raised a pretty fuss at first, ="
Harry continued, a. but it was useless.
Nobody believed could pay the sum l