The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1878-05-02
THE OLD SOURCES MISTAKE.
True hearts are more than coronets,
And simple faith than Norman blood.

True hearts are more than coronets,
And simple faith than Norman blood.
SQUIRE Atherton owned fine place,
and had a plethoric rent roll, so that
money need not have been an object in
the selection of a wife for his only son,
Cyril. Not being of a romantic tenn
permanent, he had given but little
thought to the matter, merely looking
upon it as essential, that at some distant
time Cyril should form some suitable
alliance, so that the name need not die
out; but there need be no haste, and a
fortune must be among the lady's ad-
vantages. What, then, was his sur
prise and dismay, when Cyril came to
him one morning and asked his consent
to a marriage with n poor young girl,
the orphan niece of a small farmer, who
lived SEINE three miles from Atherton
manor. A stormy scene ensued. They
parted in anger. Cyril mounted his
favorite Madcapn and rode at once to
Deepdale farm. Hilda saw him coming
and met him at the door. The rash
young lover had not waited for his
fathers consent to- WOO her, and they
had been betrothed for several weeks.
He had led Hilda to believe that she
would be welcomed to his home, and
given a daughters portion of love. 1t
was hard to tell her the bitter truth, and
in his anger and disappointment he did
not soften one harsh word his father had
said, even to calling Hilda milk-faced
doll, whose pearly teeth and bright eyes
had captivated him in spite of his better
judgment.
but Wen be married in spite of
him, won't we, darlingP He'll come
TO his senses then, I'll warrant. He'll
think it all right when he can't help
himself"
Hilda's roses paled as she listened to
the eager boy, and the happy light
which had made her dark eyes so bril-
liant, had died away in somber shadows,
but she answered with gentle resolution:
"No, Cyril, two wrongs never made
a right. 1t doesn't sound like you to
say such thing We are young and
we can wait until your father changes
his mind"
"That's what he'll never do" said
Cyril, gloomily. "If he takes a notion,
an earthquake wouldn't move him. If
we wait for such a thing, wen wait for
ever.' s-
"Then it will be with a clear con-
science. Your father is an old man, and
il might shorten his life, if you, his only
son, should prove disobedient and I'M
grateful. | can not come between you
and your father.'' = .--.-.#- ~ Ella
Cyril listened to her with flashing
eyes.
a Nh, 49,, ,,,;l ti,vo,,- ma o,-o-o I
who worship the very ground your feet
have touched. Oh, Hilda, l did not
think it of you. My father was right, :"
he continued, gloomily. "He said all
women sre alike-Selfish and merce-
nary"
"Don't Cyril; / know you can not be-
lieve it of mel Hear me! If you were
to be crippled in mind and body, and
miserably poor, and no one else had a
prior claim to you, Iwould work myself
to a shadow for you, and consider my
self happy in doing SO. 1t is because l
love YOU better than myself that | Will
not let YOU do wrong. But l will prom
Use TO go solitary and alone, so far as
human love is concerned, TO my grave,
if so be that we can not marry. Dear,
dearest Cyril, go home to your father
and do as he wishes, fully and entirely.
Gods blessing viii surely rest upon the
dutiful son. ri -5s
Her voice broke. With a wild i'm
pulse she threw her arms around his
neck and kissed him again and again,
between her sobs.0 1twas her farewell.
The next moment Cyril was Standing
alone in the porch, and the heavy door
was shut and bolted between them.
After a few moments of bewildering
hesitation he mounted and rode away.
He could not but think forgivingly OF
Hilda, as he recalled her anguished sobs,
and felt her kisses burning upon bis
forehead-she who had ever been SO
chary of her caresses.
Strive as he might, he did not again
see Hilda. It seemed as though some
unseen messenger was ever on the alert
to warn her of his approach. At last
he grew desperate, and determined tC
leave home His father procured him (:
commission in the army. He wishet
for active service, and, as it was th'
time of the Crimean war, he had M
difficulty in carrying out his purpose
his regiment was one Ut, the tirst sen
out,