The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-03-20

-Ouly ulu not WIKI - ulStNAD EcuA
tete-a-tete.
Poor cousin Jacki She drew the
white shawl closely apound her, chilled
not by the wind but By sudden psng
of remorse, the foundation of which was
very small, but large enough to trouble
her peace.
What need to tell the inner history of
MSdge's lie during the next few weeks ?
More and more she longed for freedom.
Fitzsllan was staying in the neighbor
hood and was frequently at the house,
and in the thousand little incidents of
everyday lite she knew he cared for her,
and honest Jack grew yet more distaste'
full ia her sight.
In due time came the second promised
pleasure. The family that had dlstin>
guished the name of Jones by the prefix
of Ponsonby gave their party. Madge
was in her glory that night. One locker
on called her charming; another, the
mother of fair daughters, admitted her
expression was charming, but voted her
features plain. Mrs. PonsonbyNJ ZONES,
weighed down with bright-colored silk
and jewelry, said in her finest tone that
Ir. Selwyn's ward would be quite
femme d. esprit. Msdge had no lack of
society, but she kept place in the con.
versation for awkward Jack Hawkesbury,
and her love of mischief was grstifed to
the full extent by his making of it what
he called ga hawible middle" But the
trivial triumphs and pleasures of the
night wee long forgotten by Madge
before she lost one remembrance of
scene that passed in the conservatory,
where the music was hushed by heavy
curtains, and there was only the SOFT
light of q few dim lamps among the
Anasses of blossoms and dark green leaves.
She had lost the flower from her hair
one OF her favOrite csmeliss-as she said,
i" with darling bud" and Fitzsllen had
promised, with Poasonby-JOnes' permits
sion, 10 get her another with a darling
bud too. She had placed his gift in her
hair, and she sat near the dewy glass,
saying it was cool there and she would
rest Fitzallen stood at little distance,
penknite in hand still, swinging careless
ly the fan like leaf OF a dwarf palm.
" If this were nearer, could ian you"
he said.
THANK you; am tired rather than
hot"
Never in her lie before had Madge
been 20 serious or so troubled as she was
now, in the soft light among the cool
plants, within sound OF the half hushed
music.
"Will you do me favor w she in
quired, raising her gray eyes that shOne
rOr q roODoaD+ NTH lio11i1 brirbtnoSa
You have only to name it am st
your service"
His manner, upromantiC to studied |
degree, made her feel all the more safe !
in taking heart to speak, while she gave |
him at the same time in generous meas
ure that most precious Offering to which
every noble hearted man entities him
self-a wOman's respect.
" / have seemed very h7ppy tonight, |
Mr.. Fitzallen," she began in S quiet, low
tone, the torn leaf trembling in her hand |
and the color dying out Of her face, s. but
| am in great trouble"
Indeed am sorry to hear it." He
drew a little nearer, listening atten-
lively and helping her now and again by
4 word of encouragement,
Her story was q simple one she was to
be married next month to her cousin,
Mr.. Hawkesbury, She had dreaded il
all her life, but it was her fate. And
then taking courage from the respectful
and almost paternal demeaEOr Of her
listener, she made the frank confession
that she disiiked her cousin because she
was forced to marry him and TO this
she added such a child-like entraaty not
to be thought &" too bad," that it must
have required more than ordinary self
control for FitZallsn not to say some
thing that would have allowed the scene
to become a tender one; but this he
seemed determined to avoid, and so in
ler simple way was the sadly peTplexed
girl that was pouring out her hesrt's
trouble to him.
VIII you speak for me tn Mr..
she said, "as you are an old
iend of his? | can not reason as men
10; but | want you to try if there is any
way OF release for me. Pray forgive me
I | am wrong in asking your interior
snca, but | am very wTetened here
,ame q burst of tears that must have
Iied the listener sorely-" and | myself
rave so often spoken to Mr. Selwyn, and
t Is of no use. He always says my
ather's will must be carried out; and
N how wish I could do it."
SIT must be done. if possible" Fitz.
lllen said. "But it would not be your
ather's will to mar the happiness Of your
ife or TO put you in bondage"
'Oh if Mr.. Selwyn would only speak
ike that" said the girl sadly.
"Well, l shall have a talk with him."
aid Fitzallen, "and do my best for your
though l would be sorry to
njure Hswkesbury's prospects. Let US
% back now; there is q new piece be-
inning. That is one of Ruberstein's,
: it not? need not say you have done
ne favor in granting me your conf,
lence."
With that he drew aside the heavy
curtains, and they returned to dazzling
light and bewildering music and move
nent OF the bathroom.
After that night Madge waited in
inxiety to hear the result of Fitzallen's
barley with her guardian. Three days
passed, and a note came nom him-Only
lew words-saying that he had succeed
d at least so far as to win promise that
he matter should be considered. But
,ladge saw little good coming of Mr..
Snlwyn's considering" what seemed to
Ne irrevocably decided long ago.
At last it was the eve OF her birthday,
o. morrow would be the dreaded day,
md that morning Mr.. Selwyn had said
o her gravely but tenderly:
MY child, it has been the work OF
many years for me to see to the fulfill
,,x-,s rs 1-o,,r fatharis lasT wiah He WA