The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-02-08
Not any thing that would hurt her


"Not any thing that would hurt he
feelingsP''
Johnny nodded.
"Ohi Johnny, how could yoH?"
81 Just felt like IT," said Johnny
"Ben said it was mean; but though
she never would know who sent it."
"You cowardl" said Sis, indignantly
"I thought that would be the way
you would help me-" said he, in an in
jured tone.
al can't believe it nowi', said the
sister. "It isn't like you, Johnny
What can we do? When did you mai
ftp"
"Ben mailed it last night. 1t viii
come up with the first penny-post."
"I'n stop him and get it away" said
Sis.
SHE wouldn't give it to you," said
Johnny.
"He must" said Sis.
"What if he said it was against the
lawsP" said Johnny.
Sis sighed and two deep lines became
visible in her forehead. Johnny drove
his hands far into his pockets, looked
out the window, and whistled softly.
"Don't worry" said Sis kindly. "I
will get it some way" And they went
to breakfast.
AS soon as breakfast was over she
went to Lottie's house.
"I came early" she said, Sand am
going to stay all the morning.
How like little hypocrite she felt
when Lottie said:
"What made you think to come this
morningP Mamma is going out and 1
was wishing somebody would come"
"Then l am glad came," said Sis,
taking up Johnny's pretty valentine
from the bed.
"Tell Joining" said Lottie, laugh
ing, "that l should know his LIS and
Os anywhere; and l never saw such a
beautiful valentine in my life, and
mamma says she never did,"
Sis turned her eyes toward the win
dow, thinking of the other valentine !;
and her heart beat faster as she caught
sight of the penny-post just turning the
corner.
"There is the penny-post," she said.
"I am going down to see if you have
any more valentines"
"Maggie always brings the letters
right up" said Lottie; but Sis was half
way downstairs. "It's the penny-post,
and l will take up the letters" she
said to Maggie, who was slowly COM
ing from the kitchen, wiping her hands
on her apron.
Only letter fro m San Francisco and
a postal card. Where could the comic
be?
Slowly the morning passed, and Sis
felt that Ben must have forgotten to
mail it. She saw the noon postman go
by, without stopping.
al know you have had a mean,
stupid time," said Lottie, as Sis kissed
her goodbye. {" But the next time you
come l think can sit up"
"If l have had stupid time, it's my
own fault" said Sis; q" for have been
the stupid one."
"Do you care because Johnny sent
me the valentine?" asked kotta, hold
ing out her thin little hand.
81 would rather he would have sent
it to you than any one else in the whole
world" said Sis, warmly, taking the
little hand.
Sometimes, Sis, l do feel so tired
and DID," said Lottie, softly-"so, diff
ferent from other girls"
A hasty "good-bye," and Sis was
gone. But, as she turned to leave, Lot
tie saw a tear steal down over her
bright, round cheek; and it seemed
more to the little invalid than many
words.
1t was evening again, and Sis sat with
her worsted-work, while Johnny pol
ished his skates, waiting for Ben to
come.
al say, Sis" said Johnny, "the 9TH
er night, when you sat working and
saying 'One, two, three, four, five,
poor Lottie Clifford's just alive; six,
seven, eight, nine, ten, I'm afraid she'll
never go out again. 1 thought you
didn't care much for her; and-and I'm
sorry now l thought So"
"One, two, three" said Sis, laugh
ing. "There's Ben"
AS Ben entered, Sis threw down her
work and exclaimed: "Oh! Ben, you
blessed boy to send me the comic. Oh!
you have saved so much trouble"
"I never expected to be flattered for
sending comic," said Ben.
"What made you do it?" asked Sis.
"Well," said Ben dryly, "John had
bought it and couldn't afford to waste
it. Then he said he meant to send you
one, so changed the envelope and
sent it."
"Ben," said Johnny, as they walked
toward the ice, later in the evening,
81 did rather mean thing last night.
1 told Mrs. Clifford that you sent Lottie
a comic"
"What!" said Ben, in surprise.
at was in DREAM" said Johnny,
laughing.
81 forgive you," said Ben, d" if you
are sure you were fast asleep. THE
Independent.
How to Make a LactOmeter.
Any housekeeper who desires to test
the purity of the tactical fluid furnished