The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-05-10

blamed Fanny for her taneness. Blu
she was one of those women who woul,
rather hear harsh words than speal
them.
Instead of Gliding, She patiently Sc
herself to bring fhericompanion into
better frame of mind, and she succeede,
so well that William almost forgot tn
old bonnet. And yet, when he had lef
her at her own door, and was going bacl
to his lodging, he began to think of i
again. II was quite humiliating, he sal,
to himself, for man in his position t,
have been seen in the company of sucl
a bonnet as that.
"How are you, Parr2" cried a louc
voice. "Splendid evening isn't ii
Come home and have supper, win you?'
The speaker was dashing young fell
low, son of an auctioneer who was re
puted TO be making a fortune, 1t wa
the first invitation that William had eyei
had from Tom Derry.
"Thanks," he answered promptly
81 shall beTery happy to come" And
then the two set off together, and VIE
liam was by no means i'll pleased to walk
with a well dressed acquaintance, who
nodded faniliarly to one or two men in
a sphere above him.
The Derrys lived in pleasant villa,
with coach-house, stables and green
houses. Voices and laughter were heard
in the garden as the young men APP
preached the gate; William caught sight
of light dresses fiuttering about on the
lawn, and remembered certain rumors
of the beauty Of the Derry girls.
After George Street, and Fanny's lit
tie work-room, it was no wonder, per-
haps, that Gloucester Lodge seemed al
most an earthly Paradise. Julia Derry,
the youngest and prettiest of the sisters,
were disposed to be very gracious to
William. She wore plenty of jewelry,
and her costume was made in the latest
style. After supper she sang and play
ed several Fashionable songs, with VIII
liam standing beside her to turn over
the music leaves. 1t was very pleasant,
he thought, TO see a girl with rings on
her white hands, and without the tell
tale roughness on the left forefnger.
1t was the old, old story. After that
evening, spent at Gloucester Lodge,
Williams visits to George Street grew
rarer and rarer; and little Fanny droop-
ed visibly. 1t is not so very hard for a
woman to bear up under life's burdens
while she has the strong prop of mans
owe to lean upon. But if the prop
breaks, it is wei for her if the burden
do not crush her altogether. Fanny,
however, was notwithout a certain quiet
fortitude. She felt that her prop was
giving way, and neryed herself to do
without it. EnI0Ll
Fanny" said Mrs. Kennaway, one
evening as the young dressmaker sat
sewing in her old window-seat, "you
are not looking well, my child; wish
William would come and take you out.
He hasn't been here very often lately,
has hep
90 No, mother; not very often.'
81 think you are working too hard, ="
continued the poor woman, signing.
81 get well very slowly, Fanny; and
the beef tea and port wine cost a great
deal. I've made up my mind, child, to
write to my brother at LAST
''But, mother, you'll be dreadfully
distressed if he doesn't answer. And
you have often said that he would never
forgive you for marrying poor father"
1--WE been widow for nearly five
years, Fanny. Surely stephen can bury
the old grievances in my husbands
gravel"
"You know best, mother. But father
always spoke of him as Il hard man."
"Well, at any rate l shall make an
attempt to soften him. Don't try to
talk me out of it, Fanny. l believe it is
the right thing to do"
Fanny held her peace, but she had lit
tie hope that her uncle Fenwick would
reply to his sisters letter. She knew
that he was a rich city merchant several
years older than her mother, but she
had never seen him, and had founded
her opinion of his character solely on
her fathers dislike to him. The late
Mr.. Kennaway had been one Of those
men who have natural turn for bor-
rowing money, and are generally severe
on the friends who refuse to lend. Per-
haps Mrs Kennaway had taken some
pains to hide the fathers faults from
the child's eyes, for Fanny had never
discovered them.
"Now, Fanny" said honest Mrs.
Marks, bouncing into the little room,
:. to-morrow's Saturday, and you are
going to have a whole holiday. Every
things planned, so you may leave off
shaking your head. ..
Mary Baker has promised to come
and sit with your mother. Nlyman and
l have arranged to take you right off to
Durrant Farm, where my sister lives"
Mrs. Marks and her husband were
the Kennaway's next-door neighbors.
They were a childless couple, and in
stead of wasting their affections on dogs
and parrots, they looked out for young
people who needed love and sympathy.
Fanny had no idea they knew III about
her sorrow. She did not realize how
easy it is for shrewd eyes to read the
signs of a sick heart.
Early the next morning hired chaise
ratified out of George Street, contain
ing Fanny and her two friends. OF
course it could not be quite a perfect
holiday without. William; but the girl
enjoyed fresh air and rest, and was
grateful for kindness. 1t was long
drive, and when they reached the farm