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

gage. Very well, | accept 1t. 1t was
who drove Harold White from Single
bridge All, you can be impressed, ]
see. 1t is | who can compel your con
sent to my demands. Now, Miss West.
brook, knol0 me -
Her face was very white as she swept
proudly past the West Indian; but il
was not the whiteness of fear. They
measured swords with their eyes-hOw
clear and searching hers wereP-and
parted
Next day Fanny Westbrook was miss
ing from Singlebridge.
For twelve months Silas Westbrook
has been daughterless. Fanny was
sought for far and near, but without
avail. Augustus had, to quote the
idiomatic expression of that congenial
companion already referred to, "gone
clear to the BAD OF all his former
chums, Blanchard was the sole possessor
of a knowledge of the young scape-
grace's whereabouts. As for the West
Indian, he seemed to have entirely re-
linquished all intention of returning to
Jamaica. However, we must for the
present leave Singlebridge, and make
our way to the Theater Royal, East
hampton. The house is crowded by the
admirers of the leading lady, whose
benefit night it is. Old Fussyton, the
tage-doorkeeper, is at this moment in
a state of mind bordering on despair.
/ He dare not for the life of him leave his
post; and he has just learned that a
/ stranger has succeeded in reaching the
stage under the convoy of an audacious
super. If that should come to the
knowledge of Mr.. Somerset Beauchamp,
the manager, he (Fussyton) will to a
certainty be dismissed on the spot.
Take a note to Miss Harebell, sir?
Could not do it. It's against orders,
sir.n
The speaker is the call-boy. His
| tempter is Mr.. Blanchard.
Every well, sir, I'll risk it. If you
are an old friend, l suppose it will be all
right"
Induced to commit breach of dis
cipline by the bestowal of rather po-
tent bride, the call-boy disappears be-
hind pile of scenery, and is presently
heard in alteration with Miss Harebell's
dresser.
"What do you want? Miss Harebell
is not beginner She is not on until
the second scene"
81 know that, Mrs. Cummins. |
want to speak to you. Open the door"
Blanchard heard no more. A whis-
pered conversation between the leading
iady's dresser and the call-boy was i'm
mediateiy succeeded by the reappear-
ence of that precociOuS youth, who said:
"Miss Harebell will meet you after the
performance, at her hotel, the George.
She has apartments there. All you have
to do is to send in your name. And
now, sir, do clear out of this. How you
got in, l don't know. If Mr.. Bowshang
was to stag you, wouldn't there be
shine neither!n
Meanwhile his note had produced a
startling effect on Miss Harebell. 1t ran
thus:
AtIast | find YOU. In Miss Harebell l have
recognized Fanny Westbrook. At the per-
il Of those nearest and dearest to you see me
to might. l am desperate.
''Cummins, gasped she, clock that
door. You did it for the best to get rid
of him. 1t is always convenient to
decline receiving a visitor at ones no.
tel: but will see him. Finish my hair
and then find Mr.. BeauChamp. | would
speak with him before 60 on"
Blanchard had again curiouSlY under
valued the strength of his lovely OppO-
nent.
She saw the manager and exchanged
with him "A few whispered words. He
grasped her hand warmly by way of
emphasizing his chivalric intentions in
her cause.
Since the day, more than twelve
months previously, that Miss Westbrook
had merged her identity in that of the
now talented actress, Miss Harebell,
Fanny had played many parts both off
and on the stage. On this particular
night she excelled herself. The ap
plause of her crowds of admirers was
what would have been termed in stage
parlance "terriic'' Such was the
electric force of her acting, it carried all
before it. Was she playing up definant
ly to Blanchard? Perhaps.
On the conclusion of the play, she,
laden with bouquets, retired to her dress
ing-room, and in few minutes had re-
sumed, with the aid of attentive Mrs.
Cummins, the attire of ordinary life.
In the space of very few minutes
Miss % Harebell" was proceeding un-
noticed, save by group of her youth
full idolators who surround the pit-dOOr,
under the convoy of Mr.. Beauchamp, to
her apartments at the George.
Before ascending the staircase which
led to her rooms she informed the maid
servant that probably gentleman
would call upon her. If he did, she was
to show him up, after having privately
informed Mr.. Beauchamp, who would
wait for the news in the bar-parlor, Of
her visitors arrival.
Mr.. Beauchamp, whose face beamed
with complacent delight, nodded his
approval of this arrangement. OBJ
served Fanny to him:
"Now, Mr.. Beauchamp, shall leave
YOU to your devices here she in
dulged in the tiniest ripple of laughter
"your devices, mind"
livery well, my dear, they shall be
ready if wanted"
"And he"
every thing is ready, Miss Harebell
Seated in her snug little room, Fanny
dreamily awaited the coming of her
ancient prosecutor. She had not to
wait long
"Mr. Blanchard, M" announced
the maid-servant, and thereupon ush-
cred that gentleman in.
Miss Westbrook rose aRd acknow-
lodged his elaborate bow with a silence
that was full of scornful eloquence.
She resumed her seat.
"Miss Westbrook, can you divine
why l am here?n
"Yes."
go, you can? You are frank. After
all, why should you not be? We can
spare each other the recital of long
preface of dull retrospection. After a
long and patient search l have found
you-no matter how"
81 know how" she calmly inter
posed.
"Ahi" he exclaimed, "perhaps you
would not mind enlightening me-" His
tones were Sneerinp Her nprfect coma