The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-04-13


Frere's eyeglasses turned suddenly
upon her.
"Nat is re matter, Mees Fanny?'' the
latter demanded, in her quick, sharp
tones.
g She's got the toothache," promptly
Responded Flo Peterson, at no loss for
a reply She was quite accustomed to
, equivocate. Fanny looked shocked,
1 but, Overawed by her friends superior
manner, kept her handkerchief up to
her face a while to make the lie look
plausible.
go, hope you noticed him, Fanny
He is superb. l wish knew who he
is Did you see him lift his hat when
you turned-so gracefully" continued
Flo, in a whisper, as mademoiselle,
quite satisfied, walked on.
"He looks like gentleman" said
Fanny 81 shouldn't wonder if my
brothers knew him. I'll ask them when
l get home"
"Then you'll do a foolish thing.
You must never whisper word about
him, Fan. or all the delightful romance
will be lost. No, no, keep your secret.
III wager you box of caramels he is
struck with your face and figure. Mark
my words, if he don't find out where
you live and write you a note before
many Saysi"
''I'd ike to see him dare write to
mel" said Fanny, Indignantly; ga per-
feet strangeri" and Fanny's eyes snap
ped, fattered though she was.
''LOve will dare any thing, my little
novice. All, if you knew my expert
ence! I'll tell you sometime. No
doubt you think me very happy" and
she gave a dubious sigh. "Yes, love
laughs at locksmiths. Look at pudgy
little Miss Frere. l wonder if ever the
poor soul had a lover? She is trying
to listen with all her little ears. Yes,
Fanny, my dear, when you have had
sorrow, deep, deep sOrrOw-mercy on
us, Fan, you stepped right into that
puddle and spattered my skirt! Well,
never mind; as | was saying, you will
find that you have made an impression,
and I'm sure he'll write. Won't il be
fun to read his letter? Promise me you
won't say any thing about it at home,
or to the boys, and Wen just have a
lovely time"
Fanny, after some little demurring,
promised she would not mention having
seen the stranger on the street, and
went home to dream of receiving an
offer of marriage from some distin-
guished person.
The following day was Sunday. The
stranger was at church. There was no
mistaking the broad stare with which,
he regarded Fanny. Flo Peterson, who
sat near, pinched Fanny arm black and
blue to make her look at him during
prayers. As the girls came out togeth-
er, he stood in the vestibule.
"Bow to him, Fan, bow! He looks
as if he'd give his life for glance. I'm
sure he's in love with you" upon which
poor Fanny, taken by surprise, bowed
and even smiled, though the next mo-
ment she was shocked at her own in
delicacy.
"Who was that fellow, sisP" asked
Fanny's brother John, who had noticed
the salutation. 81 didn't know you had
any such rakish-looking friends"
"I-he''-stammered poor Fanny,
half wild, her face one blush.
go, he's an old friend of mine-Ar.
Williams" said Flo, sweetly coming to
her friends rescue, and smiling as she
knew how to smile.
81 declare, you are so stupid, Fam"
she added, as the young man passed
on. "Why didn't you make up a
name, instead of blushing and acting so
guilty?"
A" Because | both acted and felt guilty,
that's the reason" tartly replied Fanny,
who was beginning to regret the steps
she had taken into an uncertain future,
just for Irritation.
"Pshawt It's only little harmless
SPORT" said Flo, gayly. "Why, what
a mouse you are! frightened at nothing.
You'll never have any fun at all if that
is the way you fly from fortune. Now
1 prophesy that you will get a letter
soon, charming letter. You see
know. | am true prophecies"
Flo's strong will seemed to remove all
opposition, though Fanny's very child
ishness was her safeguard. Flo was no
prophecies, and yet, sure enough, the
letter came. 1t was while they were on
their way to school on the following
day. A little boy ran up to them and
handed Fanny note.
Didn't tell you SOP" queried Flo,
as together they read the address
"TO the yo'tng lady aoih the beautiful
eyes,"
go, do open it," And Fanny tore
off the envelope. 1t was, of course, a
sickening and silly efusion; but a CLAM
our had been thrown over Fanny's eyes.
1t ended by requesting an interview,
and designated the place where he would
meet her.
"A-h! isn't it perfectly exquisite?'
sighed Flo; $50 poetical, and then what
beautiful handwriting! Oh, Fan, you
must meet him, if only once, for the fun
of it; you must, indeed you must. Don't
be faint-hearted now"
"Flo, never can do in the world!"
cried Fanny, excitedly. 81 should be
so scared, should faint dead away if
he spoke to me-"
"Well, that would make it only so
much more romantic. You shall go,
ran, anu IL ~ WIFI Ou' L NOuiOlA
miss it for the world. You shall un-
braid your hair, throw on my lace
shawl-the teacher will let me go home
with you if 1 play sick. Come, it's all
decided; and you'll look SO beautiful!
/ am dying to see you. AS for him, just
think of him in Spanish cloak.
Wouldn't he be darling?"
And silly Fanny allowed herself to be
persuaded.
1t was just about sundown and al
ready growing dark, when the two
girls, under pretense of calling upon
Fanny's cousin, left the house and walk
ed swiftly in the direction of the suburbs.
On the outskirts of the village was a
small ruined homestead, called the
Elms, near the new road, and this was
the designated place of meeting. Poor
Fanny, who wanted very much to be
like heroine, felt her courage oozing