The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1881-02-04

used to being embarrassed, and Frank
wondered why she forgot her selfpos-
session. Was Alfred more manly,
athletic aud kind than himself !?
Frank silly heart gave heavy throb
just then, for he would not have Ber-
tine think him inferior 20 any.
al have had gala day of it, said
Alfred. rubbing his hands. but | have
come home to settle down." and tie
laughed rOundly.
(Which MEANS" added Frank, chat
you intend to find YOU wife. My
best isheS for the enterprise"
"Thanks; but having seen so much
matter of-fact the past six years, pro-
pose making a romantic match. |
shall marry some damsel saved FROM
the flames. or, mayhap, one that may
possibly fish out of the river
Cor" but Frank suddenly checked
himself as he saw Bertine's eye hxed
intentIy upon his cousin, and remem-
bering that to speak of Alfred's horror,
beggars, would panther, he left his SEN
tence unfinished.
Eumce rang for apples and nuts,
and they forgot their discussion in the
golden pippins and accomplishments.
Bertine held hers over her head mo-
ment saying: "Now shall name my
apple. My true, true love it shall be,
if the seeds do not play me false"
"The fates grant it may be me" "
laughed Alfred, but Frank kept pro-
found silence. Somehow, he watched
that tiny fruit knife, making its way
to the core of the apple, with nervous
chill, and when she laid out the brown
seeds within the palm of her snowy
hand, she grew faint and blind.
"Four of them" she said in voice
very like the tinkie of silver bell !;
:'thc fates are in your favor, Mr.. Day
ton, and my apple was true to me-"
He stopped over and touched the
tips of her taper fingers with his lips,
asking pardon upon the plea that ne
was Franks cousin.
Then she sang with her glorious
voice for him until the china clock up
on the shelf warned them that they had
long since glided into midnight. Al
fred took his leave, but not without
hearing Bertine's sweet, "Let us see
you again, please"
Frank walked off moodiIy, either for
getting or not intending to give Bertine
his good night kiss, but she ran after
him, and twining her arms about his
neck, she cried out, "Why, Frank, have
you forgot to give your child her daily
farewell ?"
lie kissed her then and put her arms
away from him, for their touch scOrch
ed his flesh. he hurried away from her
to battle with the new truth that had
come to him. lored BertiHe NTH a
decper lore than he had ever realized be-
fore; he loved her with other than a
| fathers or brothers love. But he would
not stand in the way of the child. Al
fred was rich, handsome and talented.
he would never ask a sacrifice Bencv-
olent to fault, noble III every princi
pie of his manhood, he WAS so utterly
unselfish in regard to her happiness,
that he would not ask her to fs'ter.
Alfred became constant visitor at
his cousins. lie was always welcOm-
ed cordially, and Bertine's face always
beamed with gIadness. He brought
her books and music, took her in his el-
egant cutter over the ice clad earth,-
in fine, he watched over her as tenderly
as if she had not two of the warmest
hearted bcnefacters in the vide world.
Her laugh grew more joyous; and
when his free, quick step sounded in
the hall, that her cheeks flushed so be-
comingly, and she was so charnihgly
confused for moment. To be sure, he
had not one half Franks character,
neither one fourth his naturally grand
| impulses. If he had met Bertine in
shabby garments, he would have ruth
lessly brushed her out of his way. AS
it was, he loved her madly, passionate
ly. Among all the beauties he had met
in foreign countries, he had never seen
one that thrilled his being as did Ber-
tine De Roy. There was that about
her that charms with its strsngeness,
that lures with its mystery.
And Frank was trying to kill the love
that had grown so many years, that was
so firmly rooted, that had been fostered
by her smiles and carcsses. The battle
was severe. 1t made him grow old and
sad eyed. Eunice thought him i'll
and to esse her sisterly care, he said
business WAS extremely pressing; 1t
would be over in a few days, and then
he would be himself again.
1t was the last day of February. II
was unusually bleak and dreary. The
white crust, tinged with the gorgeou.
crimson that streaked the western
sky. was yet thick upon the earth
There was no sign of animation upon
the street, for the bitter cold was toe
cuttingly cruel. Men strode hurrisdly
home to wife and tea, mufiied up unit
they looked like avalanches of over
coats. Yet, Alfred hraved th'
weather, and walked 80 Franks.
IL thought must come and max
my farewell yisis,r he said, ses,iDi
himself; 'antI right glad | was of an ex
cuse to come oyer. Ask me to stay
rs mat see FIHnk before go y
We will gixd syoit some tea whce b