The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-02-15

would me. You can't fool me on that.
Well, they sent each other valentines,
you know, and May baskets, and went
to places together, and she'd take his
arm, and all that sort of thing, you
know, till they've got all tangled up
together, you know, and now they're
engaged"
The father had controlled face, but
at Max's last unexpected word, a
change dashed across it. Milly lifted
her eyes appealingly, but her fathers
were cast down, in the endeavor to
place his features under their usual
command. Had it been any other girl
but his earnest little Milly, he might
have laughed at Max's story; but she
was not apt to do thoughtless thing.
He was, therefore, really concerned
about this ENHANCEMENT.
Max had softened at the appeal in his
sisters eye, and he tried to say some
thing in her defense.
"Cass is great blow, you know,
father, and he kept blowing to Milly
about her heavenly eyes and her an
gel smile, and all that sort of thing,
you know"
"Please don't, Max, "said Milly, tear
fully.
"That'll do" and the father waved
gesture of dismissal to Max. "To-
morrow afternoon" he continued to
Milly, al wish you and Mr.. Spinwell to
meet me in this room"
Milly put on her hat and went to no.
tify Cass.
"They know it," she exclaimed,
when she had found the object of her
seeking. 81 have told papa every
thing"
Cass grew very red.
"You have! told you never to tel"
"I know; but think it was my duty
to tell my parents"
"Your first duty was to me. Parents
must not come between a man and his
his" Cass hesitated, and CROPPED for
the word, blushing, and finally got it
"betrothed bride"
Now Milly blushed. " Betrothed
bridel" Such formidable words!
"They want you to come around to-
morrow afternoon.
"They do! Want to scare me off!
They might as well try to boo the plan
ct Mars out of the armament. Nothing
in the wide universe but your wish, Mil
ly, shall ever part us. What do you
sayP"
"I'll try to hold out; but, oh, Cass,
Max laughs so, and papa is so solemn"
But you must be heroine enough to
bear the frowns and jeers of all crea-
ton for the sake of the man you love.
I can brave them all. l know their
tactics. They'll say we're too young,
but III tell them there are hearts that
outgrow their tenements. Fact is, I'm
older than half the engaged fellows in
this town. I'm larger and smarter
than Tom Sales, and he's been engaged
to Lu Dix nearly year"
"And," added Milly, "Lu's two
weeks younger than l, and she's so
little! It's absurd in her getting en-
gagged"
E" Perfectly" Cass said, emphasizing
the word.
At the meeting in the library the next
afternoon, Cass tried TO look uncon-
cerned, but looked very much concern
ed. Max appeared sober as whole
funeral, though he rolled his eyes in q
mock sentimental way from Cass TO
Milly. Milly, nervous and fidgetty,
wished she could put Max out of the
room and lock the door. Papa was
grave and mamma was demure.
"My daughter tells me she is engaged
to you," said the father, suddenly turn
ing his eye full upon Cass. els your
marriage day setP"
Cass was startled nearly off his seat.
Marriage day set? Mercy, no! He had
never proposed marriage; had never
thought of it. Hadn't looked so far
into the future.
"No," he said "the day isn't set as
yet. Left that to the lady; any day
that she says" Then growing plucky
as he saw Max's face drolly lengthen-
ing, he added, "The earlier the better
for me-" -rr rr-r
At this, Max brought his leg a smart
slap, turning half on his chair, as if to
say, "That fellow does beat the Jews!''
"Have you bought a home for q
wife?"
Again Cass was ready to jump from
his chair. A homei a wifei Not {
thought of either had crossed his minC
while engaging himself. Hereplied,-
swell, no, haven't quite bought {
home"
Have you the means to buy One?'
Another layer of crimson was addeC
to Cass's cheek and another to Milly's
swell, can't say have, as yet, al
the necessary funds"
"With what bank are you in account
You have bank accountPn
This was another startler.
swell, nothing very heavy in tina
line," Cass answered, thinking of hi
three dollars in the savings-bank, an,
wishing be dared go across and pul
Max's nose, and break up the exasper
ating facial pantomime which tina
member was helping TO enact.
"Are you expecting funds from you
father, or any other source?"
Cant say that l ann
Cass remembered the pinchings a
home, to support the family on hi
fathers moderate salary.
Perhaps you purpose to rent