The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-06-24


staircase to Zet's cham Der, which they
were to share together, she heard
the parlor door close gently upon
Miss Huntress and Sidney and she
shivered again. The gentle murmur
of their voices maddened her. She
tried to drown the sound by her own
footsteps.
g | dare say your old gravel train will
wake me in the morning." said she,
dragging down her crimps at the toilet
glass. when does it begin its trav-
els?''
Somewhere between five and siv,"
yawned sleepy Zet.
So early? Thank fortune. I'll leave
this house before any one else is stir
ring" unused Angie, with a brisk nod at
the mirror, which Just then reflected no
Madonna face. She was glad that
Zet speedily flOated off to dreamland.
She wanted to be alone to think. Plainly
she could not ride with Sidney in the
morning. If he should talk to her again
in that tender, confidential style she
might break down-she would sooner
die! No, she must 90 home on the
gov u u am IL W clo IllJ
She hoped Sidney wouldn't think her
odd! More likely he would not think of
her at all!-with which grim reflection
the poor child finally grieved herself 10
sleep. She awoke terrified lest she had
missed the train. In the name of pity
where were the matches? Matches
found, where was the candle? Candle
lighted, she opened her watch. 1t had
run down at eleven! Enveloping her
self in a blanket, she crept downstairs
to consult the tall clock near the door
of Sidney's chamber, which led from the
hall. 1t was on the stroke of two-Only
the old time-piece did not strike in these
DAYS.
Resolved to be sensible and not to
rise before it was necessary, Angie stole
back to bed to count the tedious minutes.
She dared not close her eyes for fear of
oversleeping. At last, after what seemed
hours, a lamp fiickered in the hotel OPP
posite. 1t must be high time she was
dressing. Having made a hasty toilet,
she scrubbed an apology to Zet and
again ventured down the staircase-this
time in the dark; she must not risk
awakening Sidney. In the hall she
grouped cautiously for hat and sacque,
then stealthily, on tiptoe, made her way
to the door, and closing it softly behind
her ran down the path.
Darkness everywhere, and how cold
it was! The frozen planks of the bridge
creaked beneath her light tread; the
frosted nails snapped now and then with
a loud report; but the falling snow said
" hush! hush"
Burdened with muff, music and satchel,
sometimes in the road, sometimes out
of it, half-blinded, thoroughly chilled,
Angie stumbled bravely on towards the
depot, half mile away. When she
reached its shadOwy portals, which she
had nearly passed in the Obscurity, she
found the door fast. Where was every
BODY? Was OXbow dead and in its
winding-sheet and unmatched by even
a solitary taper? Brushing the snow
from the step, Angie began to lay down
her bundles. But bark! was that foot
step? No, it was only the nervous
buzzing in her ears! And if some one
had been coming, what then? Was it
not high season, if the train were ever
to start? She hoped she was not a cow
ard! But she was! For presently, hear
ing the footsteps again-and now they
were not far behind her-she darted
away along the glimmering highway
and finally took shelter in a dOOr-yard,
crouching under a friendly lilac while
time shivered by on frozen wings. Once
the man drew near her hiding place, and
she held her breath till he passed, turned
and repassed, with long, impatient
strides. A pretty situation this, truly,
for Squire Converse tenderly-nurtured
daughter! She fell to plying herself
as she contrasted herself with Sidney
Alden, peacefully sleeping, dreaming
perhaps of his loved Bertha.
After what might have been the lapse
of ages, the shrek of the engine rent
the air. 1t was the usual reveille of
the railroad workmen, but Angie be-
lieved it the signal for the starting of
the train. Hurrying to the depot and
past the handful of men gathered upon
the platform, she climbed the dark pas
senger car and let herself in. o, the
comfort of being once more under
roof! With benumbed fingers she CROPPED
her way to a seat, and then shrank back
terrified as her hand touched the Shout
der of man.
Angie? Angie Converse? Is tyou
at last?n cried a familiar voice.
Sydney Alden! You here? How
you frightened me-" calculated Angie,
very near Mysteries.
Now, Miss Converse, will you have
the goodness to tell me what all this
asked the young man, impa-
seating her beside him.
Il had things to finish for the festi-
val. Did wake you?"
No. 1t was a current of air from the
north pole. Finding the street door
aiar and the hat tree ritied of your be-
longings, naturally Investigated fur
Their | have been hunting for you these
two hours
I'm sorry l disturbed you. You
should have gone to sleep again
"Cool, like the atmosphere, So you
fancy 1 could have composed myself for
another nap knowing you were wander
ing alone in the night? You insult my
I'm sorry l disturbed you," she re-
peated, like a child reciting its lesson.
Il suppose can take hint as well
as the average fellow" pursued Sidney
holly. You needn't have left my
fathers house at three o'clock of win
ter morning to convince me of your in
difference. Such an extreme measure
was quite unnecessary, L assure you"
You don't understand. =
I'm not complete idiot, Miss Con-
verse. l do understand that you
have me making love to you
that you decampad in the night watches
to dodge a proposal. And now ask
YOU this-was it sensible or eXpedient