The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1881-10-01

60 Let it be dark to himH she cried,
passionately. For the first time in bis
life, let him see his home-light quenched.
Ever Since he was little boy, when
ever he was belated. the light was con-
slant and steady to guide him. Now
let the disobelient son take it rs sign
that his mothers heart is closed to
him.
"Marv said she looked so awful, she
was afraid to open her lips, and when
Mrs. Mansell ordered her to bed she
was glad to go. But ali night long, the
pacing to and fro went on. Breakfast
time came, but no sign of Paul.
He STAYED all night at Grey's,
Mrs. Mansell said but an anxious look
had come into her eyes. At noon still
no news. The mother ordered one OF
the colored men to ride TO Grey's and
tell Mr.. Paul she wished to see him.
The man galloped back in about an
hour.
Ills Mr.. Paul coming? called out
Mrs Mansell.
80 Lordy, ma am he answered,
Mass Grey he say Mass Paul started
fur home fore ten o clock last night.
Mass Grey axed him to stay, it was
SIGH bad night, but Mass Paul lowed
he couldn't miss de way Gaze you allavs
I kept light in de wnder fur him. He
/ lowed you'd be scared to def eff he
didn't git back, and Mass Grey he say,
/ sartain sure, Mass Paul got in de salt
mash. and he s drownded.'
| Mrs. Mansell sank to the floor with
out sigh or a groan, and when she re-
covered consciousness her mind had
/ lost its balance.
From the moment she heard he had
! started for home. she knew perfectly
what his fate had been. His remains
were not recovered until the next SUM
mer-a very dry one-when he and his
horse were found in a Doggy 'cOue2,
which had literally swallowed them up
Mrs Manselrs disorder is quiet
mania. She seems to have forgotten
all that passed between her and her son
on that terrible evening; in fact. think
she supposes him boy, aud looks for
his return every evening. The BUSH
ness OF her life seems to be to keep the
lamp in the window trimmed and burn
ing, and her trembling soicitude about
it seems the only halt-conscious link to
connect her with the past"
" Is there no cure" asked. " Has
she ever been put in an asylum
Yes, her relatives tried that, but it
made her worse. She is quiet and
docle when she is allowed to tend her
lamp, and you can't tear her away
from this place. l don't think sanity
would be blessing to her under the
circumstances. She is quiet and calm
during the dav, but as night comes on
she gets restless, though when hel
lamp is ready she will sleep part of the
night"
| looked at the unfortunate woman
the next morning with deep sympathy
Her poor frail life was evidently neal
its close, for a more worn face | never
saw; and those piteous, imploring eye
were dim with death shadows.
IF you meet my PaUl, Mr.. Bruce,
she said, "'tell him not to be late to
night My head aches sou putting he
hand to her forehead, "when h
[ doesn't come early. I'm SO silly" witt
quavering little laugh, THAT fame.
, all sorts of things about his losing hi
, way. He couldn't do that, could ne
, with that lamp in the window! No, in
, deed. He'll see it. and he'll know
, home and mother are waiting for him
But waiting, waiting is so hard OF
l me.'
We looked at her and felt the tear
} moiSten my eyes as we rode away. He
l weary waiting would soon be over, an
the bitter tragedy wrought by I'm
bridled passions ended. = YOUTHS Com
pd9iOn.