The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-03-27

time had expired she dispatched to her
lover the following note:
"MR. RoBY: If you still entertain the
sentiments you professed at our last in
terview, I will give you my reply this
evening. MINNIE ARLIN."
Walter had heard the rumors, and en-
desvored to ascertain the truth. He
trembled lest they were true, for he felt
that he could not make Minnie Arlin, ii
poor, his bride. He was quite undecided
what TO do when be received Minnie's
note; but he Immediately sailed forth,
determined, if possible, to satisfy himself
as to the truth of the rumor. Stepping
into the house of physician with whom
he was on terms of intimacy, ne said sf-
ter few moments conversation:
what is it, doctor about this affair
of Mr.. Arlin? Is he really $50 reduced
that Minnie is obliged to become shop
girl?"
WE'LL" replied his friend, II thought
at first there must be some mistake, but
/ heard the old gentleman say this morn
ing, when some one spoke of Minnie be-
ing SO industrious, that Minnie Arlin
would not see her father reduced to pow
erty and not make some effort to assist
him. So presume there is some foun-
dation for the reports. But, my dear
fellow, Minnie is a noble girl, without
her property-although she has not SO
pretty a face as some young women"
"Oh," replied Roby, csrelessly, al
hope you don't think Pm committed
there. l have been somewhat friendly
with Minnie, it is true; but nothing
serious, assure you. No trouble about
the heart. and he laughed " though
added he, Il should regret exceedingly
to have them meet with reverses."
He soon after took his leave, and
returning to his Office seated himself at
his writing desk, and wrote, sealed and
dis atched the following note:
"MYD DEAR Miss ARLIN: During the time
that has elapsed since l saw you last my
| feelings have become somewhat changed
| or rather | have analysed them more closely
land l fear we can never be happy together.
see now that l was somewhat premature in
my proposal, though l still entertain the
warmest feelings of regard and friendship
! tor you. Your cool reply to my proposal led
| tn OF foe
very much interested In myself--and per-
| baps it were best for both that the affair
| should terminate here.
| al remain, most respectfully, your obedi-
| ent servant, WALTER RoBY."
Minnie shed tears when she received
this cool epistle, for she had hoped, as
maidens sometimes do, that her lover
might "be tried in the balance and not
found wanting" But, brushing the
tears away, she went to her father and
handed him the note, saying:
"Ah, father, you've lost the handsome,
accomplished young lawyer for son-in-
law. He doesn't think your bomely
poor Minnie can make him happy"
Leaving the room, she caught up her
straw hat and went out to ramble in the
woods to a favorite haunt, hoping the
sweet influences of nature might soothe
and calm her somewhat troubled spirits.
The scene was lovely, for it was the
sunset hour, and the dreamy golden light
glanced down between the interlacing
boughs upon the soft green moss, making
dancing hts and shadows in every
greenwood path. The air was soft and
baimy. No sound broke the stiffness o.
the forest shades save the signing, plain.
tive wind-harps or the occasional caro-
of bird. Yielding to the lulling iufu
ence of the scene, Minnie seated hersel
upon fallen tree and was soon lost in {
reverie. In her musings she though
how pleasant it would be to be loved fo
oneself alone; and a voice seemed whis
pering in her ear, with soft, thrillin!
tone, loves own cadence, ard dark eye
were gazing into her own with tender
loving look. She had wandered thus ia
into loves fairy dresm>land, entirely un
, conscious of all around, when the crack
ing OF dry twig startled her, and sh
sprang up in alarm; but pair of darl
eyes looked into her own, and familia
) voice resssured her. She laughingl,
| greeted the intruder, saying:
"Why, Herbert, how you startle
r mew
8 He smiled, and, advancing to NEE
her, replied:
81 am sorry l frightened you'll di
t not think to find you here but you ar
e looking pale; are you faint ?" and h
gazed at her with 80 much anxious sole
itude that poor Minnie's equanimity ws
i entirely overthrown, and, sinking agai
upon her seat, she covered her face wit
. her hands and burst into tears TIL
feelings so long pent up, and the teal
9 that had been gathering for several day
s had at last found vent.
: Herbert Clayton had grown up wit
: Minnie from childhood. He had AWAY
T loved her, but had felt that deep gu
= separated him, a poor widows son, fror
j the only child of the wealthy Mr.. Arlil
q and, therefore, he felt compelled t
g worship from afsr." He, too, ha
= heard the rumors of Mr.. Arlin's losse
and he supposed this was the cause {
, Minnie's agitation. He could scarcel