The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-03-15

arose and vacated the place TO them.
Past eleven" said Newman, as be
examined his watch by the lamplight.
{" Let me look in for moment at the
dancers before retiring"
They sauntered upon the terrace, and
got place among the outside crowd,
near the door of the ballroom.
sand they call this dancing?" re-
marked Newman, looking at the heat
ed and flushed couples, struggling and
squeezing their way through the limited
space allowed them by the surround
ing crowd. -"Whata farce" r-~r
awe used to enjoy it," murmured
Lawson, as with tender memory of
the past.
"True. How people do change"
At the moment fast-looking youth
rushed up 60 them, flushed and breath
less from the dance.
Mr.-ah-Lawson?" he gasped.
The owner of the name bowed an
affirmative. "a gWm sserTes.
ga -old-friend-Miss May
Mrs. Crook-speak to youths way"
And without. a pause he pushed his
way back through the crowd, dragging
Lawson with him.
Newman, standing on tiptoe, follow
ed the course Of his friend with inter
est.
"Miss May-Mrs. Crook" How
opportune. So now he should see the
angel of his friends youthful love-
dream.
He saw Lawson, looking little pale
and excited, pioneered up to group of
ladies, seated against the wall near the
door. His.eyes ran over theni.- There
was not one who answered to his
friends description. of Miss May, ex-
cept tall thin lady, rather graceful
and interesting looking; but her eyes
were dark, and Miss May had been
described TO hi n as blonde. There
was blonde seated next her-that is,
a lady with a. fiorid complexion, and a
quantity of light, reddish curls, plaits
and frizzes all over her head; but she
was stout and broad -shouldered, and
her handsome black silk dress showed
a neck and arms likesthose of an over
grown baby, all glittering with jewels.
This, of course, could not be my friends
sylph, but, to his surprise, this lady
held out her hand, with fascinating
smile and a soft, sentimental, upward
glance from two small eyes, that APP
peared half closed by her round red
cheeks. Fa IL8 10
"Mr. Lawson-so glad to see you.
Surely you have not forgotten your old
friend, Lillian MayP"
Lawson's stare was for an instant
absolutely blank. Then he flushed very
red and stammered something maud
ible. r NN
.'Yes, indeed; such long time
since we met. But have not entirely
outgrown my youth-at least not my
youthful feelings. Dear mel how very
warm and oppressive it is here! | won
der if it isn't cooler outside?n
Lawson offered his arm as in duty
bound; and the two joined the prone
naders on the terrace. .-I-I.-.Ilt
Bob Newman, as tn. y passed and re-
passed, caught fragments of the con-
versation. z, -~'-i..f
"Ah, how fast the years do fly! Only
twelve years since we were here last.
And how happy we were in those daysl
l wonder whether 1 shall ever again
be half SO happy"
al hope So" absently.
She leaned heavily on his arm.
81 have seen a great deal of trouble
since then-ag great deal!" tenderly and
pathetically " You have not married,
Mr.. Lawson?"
"No; II begin to look upon sin
gle life as the happiest."h AZ az
"It is certainly better to remain
single than to give your hand while
your heart is But must not call up
sad memories, and it is all past now.
You know, perhaps, that 1 am IA
widowP"
"Yes. Allow me to express my sym
pathy-" ~-
Just then he met his friends eye fix
ed upon him with an expression which
caused him to stop in his speech, look
exceedingly sheepish, and, with his fair
burden, to vanish in the crowd.
Half an hour later, they were seated
at the open window of their own house
silently engaged partaking of some
cooling drinks.
1t was late-few people were passing;
but presently a heavy step approached,
and a rather puffy voice said, in tones
which, though prudently subdued, were
yet distinctly audible:
"Yes, he is really very nice look
ing man, and was very much in love
with him; but it would have been folly
to hav married him when we were
both poor. And there was Crook for
tune laid at my feet, though it turned
out not nearly so much as we had
thought. Mr.. Lawson, am told, has
succeeded well in business, and he
really is a most agreeable man. You
can't think how this meeting with him
has rox,;x,od old,
And she waddled out of sight and
hearing. Newman looked at his friend.
"There goes your Clytie-your I'm
dine. l fear she hasn't found her
soul.n .fl &lH
"Bob," said Lawson, thoughtfully,
'this place is getting confoundedly
dull. Suppose we go elsewhere to-
morrow"
4" Certainly"
And the next day their room was
ready for new occupants. AlftE.
AT the laying of cornerstone of a
chapel in London, few weeks since,
!. L :. Il