The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-09-20

1 ;
wouldn't it befun if they arrived in the
midst Of my birthday-party? Just think
of it, my Rita, ] shall be IL years old
tomorrow, and yet am as spoiled as
a child Of 6, all owing to the weak in
diligence Of beautiful Aunt Meg
three whole years older than myself
and a doting father
They did come in the midst of the
birthday-party.
Vida, clasped by the arms of her part
ner, one tiny, white-slippered foot ex-
tended for the first step of galop,
glanced toward her girl-aunt and saw
the soft gray eyes grow bright with a
smile of welcome as two fair-haired
young men in faultless evening costume
approached her.
Damon and Pythias!" exclaimed
Miss Dorrance, to the great astonish-
ment of the gentleman who sheld her
small gloved hand; and then, to his
great astonishment, she begged to be
excused and flew from his side murmur-
ing something about +" friends from
England as she went.
"And here is Vida," said Aunt Mar
garef, as the rosy-cheeked, black-eyed,
childlike little thing smiled upon them
"Your cousin, my darling, Charles
Dorrance. and his friend. Mr.. Frank
Remington
Vida gave the friend a graceful nod
and friendly "youare very welcome"
and then seized her cousin impetuously
by the hand, as her aunt waltzed away
with Pythias.
Give me your arm, cousin" she
said, looking up in his handsome face,
her own all aglow with pleasure, "and
well 60 to the library. There's no one
there but a few elderly people playing
cards, and do want to talk TO you and
have you all to myself for little while.
My guests won't miss me-"
"I should think they would" said
he, looking down upon her admiringly.
HNot for half an hour, I'm sure.
Dear me, l haven't seen you since Twas
years old. l shouldn't have known
you, cousin"
"That's not surprising. imagine
that we have both grown somewhat
since then" said her cousin as he drew
her hand through his arm and sub
mitted himself to her guidance.
"And your, dear sister May?" prat-
tied the happy girl. elbow | long to
see her Aunt Margaret says she is
very much like me. DO you think
so, Charfes?'
al have never met any one like you,"
answered Charles, with another glance
of admiration at the pure young face,
as, the library reached, Vida seated her
self on an ottoman in the bay-window
and motioned him to chair by her
side.
81 can't tell you, cousin, how glad l
am to see you," begins the impulsivc
young girl again, after gazing at him a
moment with evident appreciation.
"You know you are the only cousin l
have in the whole wide world, and all
the other girls have hundreds, and I've
been so jealous of them; but shan't be
any more, for l don't believe there is
one in all the hundreds as splendid as
mine"
A hearty laugh caused the elderly
people at the whist table to look around
in grave, elderly amazement.
"You needn't laugh, cousin says
Vida, her black eyes dancing, "you are
splendid. knew L should like you
your letters were so nice. I've kept
them ALL can show you every one of
them. How good of you, Charles, to
write TO such a silly little thing as l, just
because was your brotherless, sister
less, and almost cousinless cousin, for
I'm sure it must have been a great bore,
especially as you got such miserable
specimens of the epistolary art-as my
old teacher would say-in return. And
wasn't it fun your arriving in New York
Just in time for my birthday party?"
q Uncommon jolly says the young
fellow.
I" You planned it, I know you did, "
cries the innocent child. "Aunt Meg
has told me what kind heart you have.
And isn't she lovely? Aunt Meg, Imean.
Not a whole aunt, you know, only half,
mammals stepsister, and not the slightest
relation, - with emphasis, ''to yO,s, sir, "
/" Not the Slightest" afiirms "Sir,"
" But isn't she lovely?" PERSISTS Vida,
laying her morsel of a hand, from
which she has taken her glove, on his
coat-sleeve.
Lovely" repeats he, looking at the
morsel of hand.
"She's more than lovely, she's
angelic! You've noticed her hair and
cyes?n
"Hair and. eyes, murmurs the young
man abstractedly, "yes, indeed, beauti-
full, - and as he speaks he glanccs at
Vida's silken, black treSseS and guile
less dark eye. ....
= 4" You're not engaged, couSin?" is the
next remark, in a tone that implies,
''don't dare to say you are"
Another merry laugh startled the
elderly card-players.
Forgive me! l beg a thousa ud par
dons," entreats the Laughter, "but it's
so awful queer being catechised in this
manner by so very youthful a lady,
whom one has-but no, I'm happy tc
say am not" -..' L.-.
And l m happy to hear you say So
+ a. You are, Miss Dorrance?n
Miss Dorr2nce!" indignant. "Oh,
cousin, is that to punish me because
YOU think me bold and forward? AnC
are you saying to yourself, and this is an
A,,o,-;ca,, ,r;,j % Won ara ryronrii1 va.