The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-03-30
MY LOVE.

And this was the end. Richard GREY
would marry his sweet-faced cousin
and more than that, he had meant to
have her for his wife, even while he was
ooklng into my eyes with such intoxi-
eating sweetness. | had not given my
heart unsought; but this man-this
man who had touched my lips with his
kisses, while they were yet warm per-
haps from those of his betrothed, had
all the love of my proud woman's soul.
l stamped my feet in mad, impotent
rage. But, alasi | could not take back
what had given him so freely. Be he
saint or iicnd, it was all the same.
loved him still.
The sweet June air came in through
the window, and the warm roses looked
up smilingly from below. Their frag-
rance sickened me. How many times
Richard Grey had put Just such roses
into my hands, and, with all Of heaven
in his eyes, had told me | was sweeter
far than the flowers | held!
drew down the window with crash,
and turned away. What a consummate
fool | had been! and what a consum-
mate actor he had been, if, indeed, he
did not love mel | could not believe
it; but if he did not, if it had all been
child's play with him, l vowed that it
should be child's play no longer. He
should know what love was before we
were done. would move heaven and
earth to accomplish this, if necessary.
To think that l, Margaret Sterne, should
be outwitted, outdone, and made an alb
ject slave of by the will of one man!
The blood flew through my veins again;
was growing stronger. The bitter tonic
was doing its work nobly.
My aunt's voice came up the stairs:
" Margaret, Mr.. Grey is here.n
eyes," | answered; and, arranging
my toilet composedly, and with more
than usual care, went down to meet
him.
There was a new brilliancy in my
cheek, knew, an added luster in my
eyes, as stood before him, bowling my
greeting. He noticed it with heightened
color.
Glow well you are looking this morn
ing, Margaret" he said
"Am I?'' | answered, smiling back
into his eyes with all my old trusting
fondneSs. al had forgotten you were
coming to ride out with me, until my
aunt'S voice reminded me of it."
He looked surprised that | should for
get, or seem to forget, any appointment
of his, which had never done before;
but | was so attentive to him, otherwise,
that his momentary annoyance vanish
ed. We struck out upon the road to
Bryne.
=" Suppose we ride fast?' said, rails
ing my riding-whip, ready to start.
"No; it will spoil our enjoyment, for
we can not say a word, then-and," >" he
might have added, 81 can not feed you
with loves poison from my eyes"
"But want a race, and, more than
that, | mean to have One," l answered,
with spirit.
He looked up quickly.
"What has come over you, Mar
garet?"
4" Nothing" | answered, meeting his
look with more tenderness than usual,
but letting my whip fall with a snap
upon my horse, and bounding away at
the same time. felt as if l could ride
madly that morning; and | don't know
but my companion thought meant to,
for, spite of his efforts, we were hardly
in sight of each other for the next four
miles. AT the edge of the village drew
up and waited.
"You have lost the race in more
senses than one, | said, as he came be-
side me.
"What do you mean? You are not
like yourself to-day; but you are beauti-
full rs a queen, Margaret, =" he said, with
an eager flush upon his face.
Ny heart tnrobbed wildly.
"Am | a queen for once, then, and
you the subject? ruled you in the race,
you know
"But you will spoil your horse"
No matter. Itis queenly to rule and
ruin together"
Your heart is too kind"
"My heart kind! Bah! 1t is cold
and cruel as steel, Mr. Grey If died,
| would never finch from what | had
undertaken"
He was utterly bewildered at the new
phase he was seeing in my character,
but he could not resist the magnetism
of my eyes. My looks belied my words,
and he would trust me.
"Never mind, as long as we do not
quarrel" he said, with an emphasis up
on the pronOun.
True; never mind" | answered
grimly, thinking of my future a mo-
ment.
The sun was sinking when we rode
up the avenue at Hyde Woods. l Twas
well satisfied with my days work He
was coming closer to me, in spite of
himself.
You must not call this evening"" l |
said, as he touched my hand with his |
lips at parting. II have another en-
gagement; but tomorrow, if you will"
"If will o Margaret! can not |
stay away this EVENING""
But you must, ," answered, ascend |
ing the steps.
My aunt met me in the hall.
Margaret, you are not going out |
with Mr.. Grey too much, are yOu?" she |
said, stopping me.
"Oh, no! We are only flirting a lit
tie, and it would be so dreadfully dull |
with no one, you know, dear Aunt
HYDE" ga " -.
1 kissed her and went slowly TO nv |
room. If had given way once itwould !
have been all over with me. l should |
have had no strength to 60 on, and if
did not give way must not trust myself
TO think alone yet. l put off my riding
Iress, and, donping another, went be
ltw.
until late at night played chess with
my aunt. and then, thoroughly tired
~. -. ~, bod 70 slaan | did moi