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

Il w Ill IL LII Il ~ AAN 1S v -
Il was a cold night in January. Peo-
ple were hurrying along through the
binding snow~sterm, battling with the
wind that h5wled and moaned yut by
urns its story of woe.
Hugh Remington and his friend VIII
liams, glad to be cut of the storm, had
settled themselves in gown and slippers
for quiet evening at home. The shut
tiers were closed and the curtains drawn,
aud on either side of the hearth was
placed the favorite chair of each. These
friends had lived together in their bach
elor quarters for more than two years.
Everything in the apartment showed re-
fined taste and wealth. Some said that
it all belonged 10 Hugh, and that he
made it home for his friend. No one,
however, knew this to be true. Hugh
was quiet and reserved, seldom spoke of
his affairs TO any one, never laid any
special claim to anything, but allowed it
to appear that all things we're equally
shared. After the evening papers had
been read and discussed, the two sat
talking of days gone by, Of little episodes
in their lives. Hugh wss in a talking
mood, and mad told several good stories
of his past life; stopping suddenly he
exclaimed:
did l ever tell you Of my love for
the widow?"
"No," replied Williams, let's have
it,"
" Well" said Hugh, taking another
cigar, and looking very serious IS h
leaned back in MS CREST easy chair, "
met her in Paris"
" Met who?"
ooh, never mind who. Be conten
thst I am telling you the story, and
don't ssk for names. l thought of her
as the widow Il is a sufficient title. "
" Wen, I Won't interrupt. Go on
So Hugh continued:
81 wss calling upon my old friend,
Mr.. Lee, and while waiting for tho ser
want to take her ny card, an odd piece
OF bric-a-0rac standing in the corner OF
. The room attracted nay attention. 90,
up and went over to examine it. While
thus engaged, the door opened.
turned, thinking it was Mrs. Lee, when
oh what q beauty met my sight Sc
small that she looked ike q child, large
deep blue eyes that came out from under
q mass of Light golden curls, small nose
snd a rosebud Of q mouth. She Wa
dressed in deep mourning, and Thought
SIS looked st. her, thst had never seer
more beautiful picture. She didn't
see me until I made 3 slight movement
which startled her. Coming forward,
said
"'I frightened you, Gid nOt?'
90 Yes; | was not swase that ther;
was any uns in the room, You art
waiting for Mrs. Lee?' and she gave
me the sweetest smile, showing a mos
perfect row Of teeth.
Before I could answer, Mrs Lee ap
peared and introduced Us. Mrs.
was making Mrs. Lee a short visit prior
o her departure to America: was glac
of that, as ] should then have the
pleasure of seeing her again.
"The evening passed only 100 quickly
and I arose with an apology for staying
so late. Mrs. Lee invited me to dim
with them informally the next day
She said her friend preferred being quiet
they should be quite alone. You ma
he sure that l accepted the invitation
and was there promptly at the hour
The widow was more charming than OF
the previous evening. 1 longed to stol
the hours from rolling on. Having beel
in the habit of dropping in at Mrs. Lee
at all hours, my frequent almost dail!
visits were not noticed as anything
strange or unusual. Mrs. Lee thanked
me for coming to them in their loneli
ness, and the widow would give me one
OF her sweet smiles, and j was thankful il
my Utmost heart that they were lonely
snd that it fell to my lot to cheer them
So the weeks passed, until the time cam
for the departure of Mrs. Lees friend.
"Now, had intended passing month
or two in England before coming home,
but when found that the widow was to
return in ten dsys,.I began to think that
my duty called me back to my business
The more thought of it, the more inn
portant it seemed to me that should 60
"Do you know of any one going or
the 15th?' the widew asked me, ont
evening, in her dove-like way.
"'No one but myself 1 answered
Business has called me sooner than
expected