The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-09-02

her stay. The man, whatever he was,
had deceived and made fool of her.
gHe should not have the second chance
to do it.
X Thornton gravely uncovered ishead.
Don't run away, please" he plead
ingIy Said, Il have been looking for
you. I want to Ten you something and
/ to beg your pardon"
Miss Edith wavered moment, then
rather, ungracionsly resumed her seat,
half turning her back upon the intruder.
:" In common with most town-bred
people, even the best and most sensible
of them''-he went on, but coming no
nearer to her think that you, Miss
Everleigh, have moderated the people
of the country. Venture to say. yeu
came here secretly despising US and
expecting to find US Of caste lower
than your own Now, for truths sake
give me an honest answer; didn't you?"
he seriously questioned.
Itsw8s'a quavering little" Yes that
broke the nights Stiffness and yet given
as absolutely as If at confessional.
Miss Edith Everleigh could never
pquite understand what force impelled
I'her to the'utterance of that htlmiliating
monosyllable.
f.@ Believing this Thornton contin-
ued, land out of patience with the blind
prejudice that underlay it all. reck-
lessly resolved that YOU should not be
disappointed. With the result you are
conversant. l do not at all seek to
Hjnstify'mysef. 1t was an qngentleman-
ly, mean and abominabfe~ thing to do.
I am heartily sorry for and ashamed at
it. viii you forgive me?'n pa = .
No answer, though Thornton bent his
head to listen.
Z 81 shall be very miserable if you do
not" he humbly said, breaking a silence
that was growing dreadful.
A smothered sob escaped from be-
hind the 1ace-edged handkerchief
pressed to Miss Edith EverIeigh's face,
but.stili no word was spoken.
Thornton began to feel himself a
monster. a. r.
Presentlys he advanced toward the
dropping Niobe, and gently lifted the
diSengaSed hand lyingon her lap. IN
restrained he held the waxen thing Cor
an appreciable instant in his own broad
and somewhat hardened palm, then
drew it within his arm, saying with a
mild authority.
Come, let us 90 in now. You will
be drenched with the dew sitting here;
besides. poor innocent June, my unwill-
ing tool and accomplish also anxiously
awaits your pardon. In the morning,
I'shall telegraph to your father thatyou
will remain with US longer"
Thornton confidently asserted as the
two strolled slowly up the walk.
|, Time fails me to tell of the happy
weeks that followed; of how thoroughly
convinced Miss Edith Everleigh became
that life in rural community might,
and generally did, mean more than cat
tie and acres and crops, the signs ofwet
or dry and the prce of eggs and butter;
or of how she grew to delight in all the
varying phases of Nature and the refin-
ing, uplifting influences of her benei-
cent cOmpanionship.
All things earthly must come to an
end and pleasant visits. though long
protracted, cannot last forever Miss
Edith Everleighwas ~at last compelled
to tear herself away from the Thornton
. fPairtpnfhCChess .JaddpIAW
On the evening preceding her depart
ure when, as on that other evening so
wildly remembered. the golden moon
light glorified all without, she was
curiously enough at first it
seemed-intercepted at the rustic seat
in the yard. BY Hal Thornton. too,
who as before now sought her with a
purpose-1to tell her something and to
crave a boon. This. time, however, it
was not a tale of base deception that he
had to relate; but that old, old story
so often told yetever TO be told Iabew,
and sweetests evety time it. lis heard,
and the gift he begged for was not her
pardon but her love.
h Benjamin Everlsigh andgJohn Thorn
ton very soon understood that their
wish, for as fast friendship between
their children as was once between
them, had been to the uttermost full
filled.-EEani'aer and Civ1opicJe. ~