The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-11-29

have come to the conclusion, actuatel
by motives which we earnestly hop
you will live 20 appreciate in a prope
spirit, to dismiss this case. You ma,
60"
"But my character" exclaimed
White, in a voice husky with emotion
who is to clear that of taint?n
" Yourself" solemnly answered tn,
chairman. "Call the next case"
Dazed, trembling under the influence
of warriag passions, he left the docl
and passed out of the court into tn,
sunlit street. Whittier should he direc
his feet? As he slowly and mechanic
ally, seeing nothing, hearing nothing
with bowed head and leaden gait, stole
along in the direction of the riverside
he felt a touch on his arm. He paused
1t was one of Mr.. Nestbrook's clerks
The lads mouth was tremulous with
sympathy.
"Mr. Westbrook has sent me with
this note, Mr.. White. Is there any an
swer?''
Yes" he replied, tearing the paper
into atoms, d" there is Mr. WestbroOk
wishes to see me. Tell him that we
shall not meet again until he is prepared
TO stand up in that court house, and
pray to be allowed to proclaim my in
nocence in tones as load as those which
he used to-day in declaring my guilt. -
The lad left him. The September
sun was sinking redly behind
a familiar belt of woods which
/ fringed the further banks of the river as
he continued his moody walk. he had
| held on for miles, needless of the direc-
ton he took, and now he awoke from
his fit of passionate bitterness to find
himself on a spot that had often been
hallowed by the presence of the girl he
loved. What did she think of him?
Harold"
Fanny"
In those two words all was expressed.
In that fierce embrace doubt was slain.
go Harold, l have followed you for
hours, fearing to speak, you looked so
pale and changed"
al am changed. They have not sent
is on me. Why don't you shrink from
the moral leper, as the rest of them
have done?n
because and it seemed to him as
though her voice had never thrilled
with such sweetness before know
you"
"And you believe"
"That all will be righted yet. can
wait, dear-if you will let me. You
never were more precious to me than
you are at this moment"
Mice Comm Fanny
this is no place for you"
Harold and she had not heard the
footsteps. 1t was Blanchard and her
brother who had approached unnoticed.
"And no place for you, either" said
White to Blanchard.
Faugh," replied the worthy, 81
have no words to waste on such as you,
sir. 1 am here to perform a duty"
Scoundrel!" Harold began, at the
same time raising his hand. She touched
him, and he was still.
"Sir," said she, 81 am mistress of
my own actions. If | choose to accom-
pany my brother, it is-because l
choOSel Harold, goodbye! Come what
may, my faith will not falter, my love
never change"
The last four words were murmured.
As she shaped them she reached for
word and kissed him before her brother,
whose surprise at her defiant attitude
was unspeakable.
They parted and went their several
ways.
The charge against Harold White of
embezzlement, and the result of it, pro-
duced wonder thatlast much longer
than the proverbial nine days. His de-
parture, the day after the hearing, no
one knew whittier, bad had the effect of
increasing the number and sympathy of
his friends. 1t was generally admitted
that his defense had been weck-incom-
prehensibly weak. But who knew? he
might have had his own in
vincible reasons for not making
it stronger. Why had the
brother of his affianced for she was his
afiianced in all but an open formal dec
laration of the fact) broken with him so
suddenly? Until Blanchard appeared
on the scene they were inseparable.
Depend upon it, the West Indian was
at the bottom of it. In this fashion the
gossips of Singlebridge discussed the
events which had led to Harold Whites
downfall and departure.
Three months had elapsed, and not a
word had been heard of or from Harold
White; unless, the female gOssips sug-
gested, he had written to Miss West
brook, which, considering the circum-
stances which preceded his departure,
he was hardly likely to have done. For
once, however, they were out in their
calculations. He had written her let
ter in which these words occurred:
II I thought, darling, that You would be
happier to be rid of me for good and all, our
bond should be dissolved. 1t is your love
for and simple faith in me that sweetens my
life, and keeps me SteadfaSt in my determi-
nation to undo the miserable wrong from
which l suffer. They shall right me yet. 1
have borrowed for the present another name
my mothers before her marriage; but the
people with whom am know that am Har-
old White, and are acquainted with my his
tory. ! musttry, dear, to rub on without
the consolation which your letters would
bestow. 1t is better that we should seem to
have parted forever. In the good time we
shall meet-and then!
1t puzzled well informed Singlebridge
to hear Fanny Westbrook's cheerful
words, to note her placid brow and
bright manner. She never could have
thought much of that Harold White,
you know, or she would have manifest
cd some regret at his misfortuHes.
Blanchard, too, was mystified by her.
What did it portend? Had she resigned
all hopes of becoming restored to the
lover whom he had so efiectually helped
to disgrace and Danish? Was the course
clear at last? He would see. His i'm
petuous love for the sunny-haired,
Saxon-eyed girl, love which sprang
into existence the moment they met,
had grown nightly since the going of
White. He would put an end to this
uncertainty. He could face his fate.
Gan interview with me?" replied
Fanny to his blandly proffered request;
certainly, Mr.. Blanchard" Her tone
was provokingly even. "And, if you
please, let it take place now. Pray be
seated" -
If she had only been embarrassed.
"Miss WeStbrook, I-I-fear that the
impression which made upon you the