The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1881-11-05

imeut-well. if the consequences are
unfortunate 1 Will not ask any one to
help me bear them"
As she spoke she TOOK from a peg by
the dresser a shawl aud warm hood.
"Gon' out?' queried Miss Smms.
Yes, | am going at once to speak
to Steve about the farm" answered
Hulda
Miss Betsy said no more, for she
knew well that no argument she could
use would shake Hulda' determination:
but scarcely had the door closed on the
young girls 1.-the, graceful form, than
she repaired to her sisters room to beg
that maternal authority should be put
into force; but to her chagrin, found
that Hulda had been before her, and
that Mrs Dane entirely agreed with
her daughter views as to the. disposal
of the coming seasons crops.
Meanwhile Hulda was walking with
vigorous step over the bare, frozen
fields which were being slowly thawed
by the March sunshine. She stopped
when she came TO u fence that divided
her farm from the one adjoining, and
leaning her arms upon the upper rail.
stood tor a few minutes looking over
into her neighbours dooryard.
Steve iloIden's house, q small one,
painted a dull brown, stood long way
back from the public road, and was
given an air of seclusion by the many
trees that surrounded it, and which in
summer completely screened it from
view. a path bordered by lilac bushes
| led down to the gate, and there were
few rose bushes scattered here and
there, all carefully protected from frost
| by wrappings of straw. There was a
lonely, desO,ate look to the place. The
blinds of the house were all closed, and
silence reigned supreme. Even the
dog, basking on the doorstep in the
sunshine, did not stir or bark rs Huda
climbed the fence and sprang down in
to the yard. A faint motion of his
bushy tail was the only sign he gave of
being aware OF the intrusion.
Hulda went around to the kitchen
door and knocked; but, receiving no
answer, turned down the path which
led to the barn, hoping for success
there.
The barn door stood wide open, and
to her qualification, she saw the man
of whom she was in search sitting on
bench with his back toward her. Her
step was so light, and he was so intent
upon some work he held, that he did
not become aware of her presence until
she spoke.
"Mr. Holden she said, speaking in
a cordial, easy tone, ." | am so glad to
find you at home. | knocked at the
house door, but, receiving no answer,
came here to look for YOU"
At her first. word stephen Holden
| G tor .tp fn loft oil
scroll-saw he had been using fall to the
| looking Young man of twentv-eight or
eyes, and firm. square chin; but there
was an expression OF bitterness and de-
fiance on his face that almost disigured
it. To-. 20. ..E
"Why did you wish to see me?" he
asked, in tone that was curt almost to
rudeness.
Il want to consult you on a matter
of business" answered Hulda, flushing
little, but speaking slowly and pleas
antly. "May sit DOWN."
He nodded, clearing the bench of his
tools and wood with one sweep of his
brown, muscular hand.
He did not sit down himself; but
.
with his eyes riveted on the floor at his
feet.
Where did you learn to do such
beautiful work?' asked Hulda, noticing
partlY-caved bracket which lay
among the tools.
In prison." was the answer, spoken
in tone of such bitterness that nuIda
wished most feryently that she had not
asked the question
1T is lovely she fastened to say.
"4ou must have great talent for such
work But | must tell you my errand.
You know, perhaps, ever since my faith
ers death l have managed my farm my
self"
81 know nothing" said Steve, as
she paused. 81 have been shut up in
prison for eight years, and convicts
receive little news from the outside
world
His tone was reckless and harsh, and
the defiant, bitter look had deepened
on his face.
But Hulda took notice of neither tone
nor look
81 have been renting the land on
shares to Mr.. Rice She continued
"but he is about to move out West, and
| must make the same arrangement
with some one else. l thought per-
haps | could make it with you, as you
have not enough land of your own to
keep you busy"
She paused to give her companion a
chance to speak, but waited in vain for
him to do SO. Stephen Holden turned
abruptly and walked away from her,
and, standing in the doorway, put his
hand over his eyes as though the sun
light hurt them, And yet the suns