The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-08-23

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Selden."
In community so small, imprisoned
in space so limited, two people could
scarcely avoid each other without re-
mark, especially two who had been
almost inseparable the day before;
therefore, by tacit consent, they fell into
the same apparent intercourse in the
presence of others. To be sure, en-
barrassments and annoyances waylaid
them; but people who viii fall in love,
or inspire the tender passion NAL q pro-
pos, must suffer the consequences. There
were not as many tete-a-tetes as previous
liz or If unavoidable circumstances
threw the two together, there followed
oppressive silence, or conversations
upon every topic but that which occu
pied their thoughts. They no longer
killed the tagging hours with chess, or
read from the same page. For want of
other recreation, Mr.. Surrey unearthed
his Cremona, and drew melancholy, be-
seeching airs from it which made Serena
SILVER. az
alt isl like the song in sea-shell,"
she said. "Why will you play those
dolorous minor chords? They remind
me of nothing but desolatiOn."
Mr.. Surrey put his violin away.
Have you and Miss Selden been
cross to each otherP'' asked Amy, one
day, climbing upon his knee, after see
ing them sit silent for half an hour,
looking out at the sea, or any where but
at each other-"have You and Miss
Selden been cross to each otherP Then
why don't you kiss and make up, like
the way Tom and me does?"
Perhaps Miss Selden and l don't
want to make up" said Surrey, amused
in spite of himself.
"Oh, Tom and me always does. The
Sunday book says love your enemies
you know it does"
Miss Selden awoke that night with a
dreadful sound in her ears. Was Mr..
Surrey consoling himself with those
dirge-like airs at dead of night, or was
it the shout of angry waves besieging
the ship, the sound of voices half drown
ed by the blast, of winds chorusing in
the rigging, of feet hurrying from stem
to stern? Had they been boarded by
pirates, struck reef, or sprung leak
She dressed hastily and opened her state
room door. Mrs. Bruce was already up,
wringing her hands and pacing the sa-
loon.
81 always said so; knel0 we should
90 to the bottom sooner or LATER" she
cried. "Oh, Serena, you'll never see
Calcutta, nor any body! And there's
all your trousseau IL never do any one
any good-and that splendid peacock
silk that was so becoming and to think
he'll never see you in it-and | going
from Dan to Beersheba to match the
trimmings"
e-we-going-downP" asked
Serena, steadying herself and her voice
with an effort.
ANY minute, for all l know. | can't
find out exactly what's happened, but l
know the FAIRY has: become unmanage-
able, and she's drifting about at her own
sweet will. We might as well have
cat at the helm. The three men who
went to sea in a bowl aren't a circum-
stance to US. They've cut away Heaven
knows what, and there was a noise like
the crack of doom just now, which must
have been a mast"
"Where-is-Mr. Surrey?"
81 don't know. Swept overheard,
! for all l can say. Mr.. Bruce would
have allowed me to go TO the bottom in
my sleep, do believe. He never SO
much as called me. Well, Mr.. Surrey
as that gentleman appeared, "this IS a
/ nice situation for Mr.. Bruce to drag his
innocent family into, isn't it? Don't
/ mind me- Comfort Serena, if you can
If he who has promised to love and
cherish leaves me at such a crisis, what
can L expect of stranger? Will the
ship hold together till sunrise, do you
think?" ..-
ave no doubt OF it," he answered
crossing to Serena. At that instant
there was a sound as if the heavens
themselves rolled together like a scroll
the ship quivered in every fiber, and
seemed to crack at every beam. Mrs
Bruce threw up her arms and uttered {
prolonged cry. 81 think we have
4 struck, - said Mr.. Surrey, solemnly. 60
am afraid our days are numbered. Mis-.
Selden-Se rena-hadn't we better take
Amy's advice and make up? fl may
not live in the light of your countenance
you will not deny me the privilege of dy
ing with you?"
For an instant it seemed to him tina
her figure swayed toward him, that she
trembled and half turned to him, witt
an unwonted softness i'll her gaze, anC
then she had drawn herself up proudly
and had left him with outstretched arms
alone.
1t proved that they had collided witt
merchantmen, bound homeward from
India with cargo of jute and gunny
bags; but while the FAIRY was found Il
be in a sinking condition, the Comet, be
ing a heavier vessel, had sustained bu
slight injuries, and was enabled to pu
about to the rescue of crew and passen
gers. 1t was ghastly scene that fol
lowed, photographed indelibly upo
Miss Selden's memory; the awe-struc
faces of the rough men who were lash
ing little Amy upon Mr.. Surveys shoul
ders: the Intellectual flare of light
against the twilight of dawn; the boi
? ing sea which tore the life-boats int
chips; the slippery cable across whic
, she toiled to the Comets side hand owe
, hand, now suspended above some dealt
ly ocean chasm, now almost shroude