The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-09-27
LAURA'S DOCTOR.

/ was thoroughly enjoying myself on
one of natures best early summer morn
ings; the trees were just in their early
green, the meadows were golden with
buttercups, the bitches hidden by the
nnoisture-loving wild flowers. An old
friend had told me of this place, with its
pretty village, its rustic rectory, and
glorious trout-stream; telling me, too,
how the gentle, kind old rector would,
if asked, give me leave to make casts
from his meadow across to the high bank
under which the fat speckled trout lay
waiting for the pretty dancing May
flies, which fitted up and down in won
drous flight, sailing aloft, and floating
slowly down to the glistening water.
Continuing along the foot-path, to
where had been told it turned into the
copse, on passing through which l
should find myself opposite the rectory
garden, where l was going to ask leave
to fish, stopped short, for had sud
denly come in view of a stile, by which
stood a sweet-looking English maiden,
simply dressed in holland-colored grass
cloth, with plain straw hat covering
the dark hair gathered in a cluster be-
hind. She was very pale, pallor in
creased by the black velvet tie fastened
beneath the little plain collar round her
neck, and as | first saw her she stood
with the fingers of her right hand light
ly resting on the little stile, while her
left was held up as if to command
silence. 1t was evident that she had
heard my approaching footsteps, for
suddenly her face became animated, she
clasped her hands together, joyous
smile overspread her face, and she
bounded towards me.
"At last, at lasti" she cried wildly
and then, when within few yards, she
stopped short, the bright look of ANNA
ton faded away as if the sunshine had
passed from her young life, and crossing
her hands YEARLY upon her breast, she
stood for few moments gazing at me
as involuntarily raised my soft tweed
hat.
"No, no, no." she said slowly, with
a sigh; and looking at me again visit
fully, she turned away, crept through
an opening beside the stile, and was
gone.
"Poor girll'' l said: "there's a sad
story attacked to her life, I'm sure"
walked on to the stile, crossed the
wood, leaped another stile, and stood in
a pretty lane, close to a charmingly
kept garden, running down from the
road to a beautiful rustic-looking house
and not many yards from me a gray
headed old gentleman in black, with a
velvet cap on his head, was busy, trowel
in hand, planting scarlet geraniums in
one of the beds that dotted the velvet
lawn. He looked up and started slight.
" as he saw me, then bowling, he came
down to the rough trellis fence that di
vided his garden from the lane.
GA nice morning." he said pleasant
", as | raised my hat. Fishing,
presumed"
"Yes," / said, Z" 1 was going to try
"And you were going to ask m,
leave?' he said smiling.
al intended to call after had beer
into the village" 1 said, taken some
what aback.
Ibid you leave town this morning.
said the old gentleman.
EYES," | replied, "by the first train
and walked across from Hautley."
"Then you must be quite ready 10
breakfast" he said, referring TO hi
watch. at will be ready now"
sob, thank you, no." I stammered
for this offer of hospitality to a perfec
stranger was staggering. 81 am goin!
down TO the inn, and then if YOU vii
kindly permit me to whip the stream
shall be very glad"