The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-09-20
"And not in love with any body

"And not in love with any BODY
in England"
"Then I'm certain you'dfall in love
if you've not already done so-with my
own dear Madge-the pearl of aunts and
daisy of women
You'd like me to fall in love with
the pearl of aunts and daisy of won.
emp" says the fair-haired Englishman
looking at her in a half-tender, hall
quizzical way.
eyes"
"But the lady might object"
81 know she likes you, cousin, .
leaning the fower-crowned head toward
him and speaking in whisper, "fol
when l asked her which she preferred,
Damon or Pythias, she said Pythias. y
"Pythias?r
eyes; we call you Damon and Mr..
Remington 'Pythias,' because you are
such very great friends. Damon ard
Pythias were two men who lived ages
ago, and who would have died for each
other. Aunt Meg told me the story, but
| suppose you have read it,
"And is her ayowed preference for
Pythias proof that Damon is her
choice?''
"Yes," says the pretty witch demure-
| ly, "and she's always praising you,
cousin, and saying what a good son and
brother you are, and once she said the
woman who became your wife would be
very, very happy woman. Mind,
don't say she's in love with you now,
but think you could win her if you
tried, and thcn," clasping her slender
hands, "perhaps you would stay in
America and be my darling forever and
forevermore.
81 should like to be your darling for
ever and forevermore, says the young
man with CLEAN in his handsome blue
eyes.
swell, marry my Madge and you
shall be-"
"But l don't want to marry your
Madge."
"Don't want to marry my Margery-
the loveliest woman that ever lived?
Pray, why not, Cousin Charles?"
"I've an idea I'd like TO marry some
one else"
81 thought you told me your heart
was your own?"
I" 1t was when l told you So"
"And now?"
alt is yourS.''
Don't talk nonsense rising from
her seat and tossing her pretty head,
then adding in gentler tone: "My only
cousin, and dear adopted brother, and"
-pausing and looking earnestly up in
his face, "you'n never tell?"
Don't trust me; I'm afraid l
might" replied the young man, gravely.
ooh! I'm sure you won't. I'm half
in love with Pythias."
BE wholly in love with him 1 beg,
though he don't deserve it."
"Don't deserve it! Is that your
boosted friendship? All! you don't care
for him as do for my rare, pale Mar
garct, after ALL"
"I do not. In fact, have rather a
poor opinion of him at the present
moment"
A small frown wrinkles her fair brow.
"What do you mean, Cousin Charles P"
she asked impatiently.
al am not Cousin Charles-I am
Frank Remington.
She steps back a pace or two, her
cheek flushing and her eyes flashing.
damon is, I've no doubt" contin-
ued Mr.. Remington, " still dancing with
{ the pearl of aunts and daisy of women
with whom you will be glad to hear he
has been madly in love since last sum-
mer. And now, Miss Dorrance, will
you forgive me? Pom my honor don't
know how came to do it, but it was so
sweet to have you calling me cousin
| for 1 haven't even one cousin. I'm a
poor orphan, Miss Dorrance, and have
had no one to love me, none to caress,
but Damon, since was forlorn lad Il
years of age; and now he loves an
I otherlh
And the "poor orphan" tried to look
like a lonely, friendless creature, but
the mirthful eyes contradicted the seri-
Gus mouth.
Vida commenced to laugh, a low,
ripping laugh, which ended in a funny
little shrek.
"Idon't think you deserve forgive
ness, Mr.. Remington, she said at last
"but as you are our guest and this is my
birthday, suppose L must be generous.
But twas all fun, you know"
"What was all fun, Miss Dorrance?
"About-about Pythias."
"And you are not 'half in love- with
him?"
"Of course not"
"Then he may as well seek the chalky
cliffs of Albion again as soon as posi-
ble.''
"Why does that follow, Mr.. Reming
ton?"
Because" slowly and seriously, {"
have loved you from the moment look
ed in your innocent young face, and
could not bear to remain here unles.
you promised to try and love me in re
turn. Vida," Selling her little hand
"may l hope?"
"For dance? Certainly" says tn,
teasing thing. Gwen be just in tim'
for the last waltz
"Vida, must l seek the chalk,
cliffs?"
"Ask Damon
"Hang Damon he says under hi
breath. Vida, do you think you coulC
learn to love me?n
"They used to praise me at schoo
I. l.. I