The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-03-04
HELEN CHURCHILL's LOVER.

The silvcry gray of summer dawr
was spreading itself over the landscape
rendering soft and inGisiinct all familiar
objects; yet, even seen by its dim, un-
certain light, he looked more Like one
grown preniaturely old by reason OF
hard work or whitening care, than as il
he had slerely passed from youth to age
by the ordinary gentle gradations.
His brow was lined, his hair silvered,
and there WAS a stOop in his shoulders
which told of hard and continuous toll
vet, Notwithstanding these drawbacks,
there were the remains of youthful
beauty in the well-shaped head and
clear gray eyes.
He had arrived at the neighboring
town too late the evening before to catch
the last train TO this little out-of-the way
hamlet, too late to do aught but seek a
bed there; but after three or four hours,
the resting craving to complete his
journey so overpowered him that he rose
and pursued his way on foot. And now
with the delicate light of early morn sill
vering the birches, and dimpling the
waters of the stream, he stood at length
where his feet had not rested for fifteen
years. But these fl ,teen years, awful as
they had been at the time, seemed but
as dream now, scarcely TO be recalled
on waking, as he stood thus looking ut
each well-remembered spot.
With a sigh, the wayfarer brought
back his straying thoughts from past to
present, and became aware that the
sun had risen, the birds were chirping
forth an early song, and the dewdrops
were glittering all around-on the rose
crowned hedge by which he stood, on
the sprays of eglantine, and on the far
away green meadows that lay between
the village of Bythrope and Bythrope
Manor, halfway up the wooded slopes
opposite.
"At length / am home again" then
he muttered; sat length" throwing
his head back with certain joyful ges-
-ture, and stretching out a rough, toll
worn hand, as if in token of greeting
cat length the years are over-the work
is accomplished - the punishment
wrought out-and | am back to claim
my prize! Ah!"-starting slightly,
as voice addressed him with brief
p" GO0d-.iOrnlng.
"Good-morning-sir." Something in
the strangers appearance apparently
brought forth that 60 sir" which had
not formed part of the original sentence,
but was hastily added on as he turned
his head to see who had addressed him.
You are about betimes," the new
conner went on. {" 1t is not many of the
gentry as troubles themselves with the
sight of summer SUNRISE"
"They miss much" said the stran-
ger, briefly. Though perhaps to us,
who possibly have seen it nearly every
morning of our lives, it is a common sf-
fair enoughi"
The farmer looked at the speaker in
some surprise, and he added immedi-
ately: I" have not seen it myself for
many years-in England. You belong
to Bythorpe," he went on, as if anxious
to divert the conversation from any per-
sonal channels.
"Man and boy, have lived here
these fifty years. That is my farm,
pointing with proud, possessive air in
the direction whence he had come,
sc Manor Farm"
lips of the other; but the words passed
unnoted by his companion.
s'Diek Sisted, Of the Manor Farm
he repeated. "Mine now, as it was my
fathers before me, and will, please God,
be my sons, by-and-by."
"a perfect life, Mr.. Sisted. A home,
a wife, and little ones. What could a
man require moreP"
"You do not possess them?"
questioned the farmer, looking up,
surprised at the energyin the strangers
voice.
"I am not married." he replied,
briefly. "But," he fastened to add,
fearing his reply might have been
abrupt, "you know the place, you say;
then perhaps you can tell me to whom
belongs yonder house," pointing to-
wards the distant towers of Bythorpe
Manor. "But it may be / am OBTAINING
you?"
90 No, no." replied Mr.. Sisted courte-
ously, "I'm not dressed for time
Yonder house belongs to Squire Church. |
ID. The young squire we calls him
mOstly about here, seeing that his faith
er is dead not so long since"
"He is dead?"
Say, surely; and young Mr.. Edward
has come into the place, and married a
bonny wife, he has"
"The old Squire had daughter, had
he not?''
{" Two You know themp"
/" knew of them," the stranger re-
Piled, evasively. And then, pointing to
/ small white house that was visible
through the trees And to whom does
hat belong?"
"ThatP Why, to Mrs. Sutton, poor
,ody."
"And why do you pity her?n
&c You must be stranger indeed, sir,
D ask whyl"
" Then, enlighten me. Tell me the
tory"
"Storyi 1t is a queer story. Almost
90 sad to call by such namel She |
vas the doctors wife, sweet pretty
goman as ever saw, fifteen years ago,
nth fair, handsome boy, that she was
hat proud on, that it would have done
on good but to see the two together. I
lie, the doctor himself, was bit cross 6
rained-leastways, so I've heard say
nd all the more reason why the mother '
nd son should think SO much of one
lother.
ssTha faf,er did NOT ovar-like IT. still