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

pIanJlng. 1 want 30 IA -e more corn
this year than | last ! lla barely
enough left to feed my stock the rest Of
this month. | don't like to be obliged
to buy corn before the winter fairly
ver--it shows poor management; but
| know there will be none of that when
you take hold.
Stephen Holden still stood with his
hand over his eyes, He did not look
up az she passed him, and did not
seem to see the hand she held out as
she said good-by
She looked back rs she climbed the
fence. and saw him still standing lust as
she had left him, with his hand over his
eyes and his head little bent; and she
went home salts led with the beginning
of her experiment.
As she opened the kitchen door a
young girl, who had been sitting by the
fire, sprang forward to meet her.
"Whv, Lydia Mayom cried Hulda,
"how glad | am to see you! Why have
you pot been near us for weeks past?n
Smother has not been very well. ="
answered Lydia, "and have not been
able to leave her'-and she kissed HUI
da warmly as she spoke.
There was acertain tone of constraint
in her voice that Hulda noticed at once,
and attributed to the right cause.
~ suppose Aunt Betsy has been tell
ing YOU about my intention in regard
to Steve Hoden?' she said, speaking
frankly and coming TO the point at once,
as 1t was her nature to do.
YES answered lydia, in a low
tone, and she walked back to the stove
and held her hands to the fire, keeping
her face averted from HuIdas
81 shall think myself very fortunate
if | can persuade him to take the land, :"
continued Huda, beginning her prepa-
rations for the MONDAY meal. He is
hundred degrees smarter than Rice
ever pretended to be. Why, Lydia, you
just ought to see the wood carving he is
dOing-it is really wonderful. | saw
to-day bracket he had nearly finished,
which would be an ornament to any
house. Stephen can turn his hand to
anything. Don't you remember the
pretty things he used to make us when
we were little girls?'
81 remember answered Lydia, in
the same low tone, but without looking
up.
"It's good he's got you tc blow his
trumpet for him, Hulda," said Aunt
Betsy, sarcastically. "He needs it,
dear knows. The most O folks don t
see much good in convicts just out O
States prison."
Il must co." said Lydia, rising hur-
riedly, her cheeks flushed, her eyes
SuspiciOuslv dim. Il must not leave
mother any longer alone. just ran in
to see how you all were"
She kissed Hulda again, nodded
good-by to Miss Betsy, and went out
."How could you speak so OF Stephen
before Lydia, Aunt Betsy?" cried
Hulda, as the door closed. "Surely
you must have forgotten that she was
once engaged to marry him"
mo; I've forgotten nothing" an
swered Miss Betsy. "But give Lydia
Mayo credit for better sense than to
have any feeling left for man who
disgraced himself as Steve Holden did
Besides, she was hardly seventeen
When he went away, and ii all's true
that | hear, she's had many a better
offer since
"She has not married, however"
said Hulda, land | don't believe she
would ever have broken her engage
ment with Steve. if her parents had not
insisted upon it."
Hes a fine catch now" said Miss
Betsy, with grim sarcasm. "Perhaps
he'll be good enough to give her
another chance"
Hulda did not answer this thrust, and
Miss Betsy, with an air of victory, re-
tired to the spare room to consult with
Miss Simms about the pattern of con-
templated cloak.
The following day Hulda had bust
ness in the village, and, after transact
ing it, went to the post-ollice for her
mail.
The post-office, as is usual in small
villages, was managed by the principal
storekeeper of the place, and Hulda,
after receiving her weekly papers anda
business letter, walked to the extreme
end of the store to look over some new
calicos which had Just been received.
About the stove in the center of the
store were gathered Il number of men
discussing the coming election of town
clerk, and so animated and loud were
they in their arguments for and against
the different candidates. that when a
great and sudden silence fell suddenly
upon them, Hulda looked up in quick
surprise to learn The cause.
1t stood before the counter in the tall
person of Stephen Holden, who had en-
tered, whip in hand, and was asking
the Postmaster for his mail. He turned
as it was hand d to him, and, address
ing the group about the stove, said in
a voice which it was evident to Hulda
cost h m a great effort to make natural
and friendly:
"A cold day. What will be the
chances for wheat if this weather keeps
onP Have anyCf you thought of SOW
ING Yet?''