The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1881-04-29

heard him whisper, Love needs no
symbols. Ingomar will know Ny
dear one, it lies with you to do the
resti"
"HOw?" drearily.
"Well, of course ycu know they
alluded to Mrs Kent's bal nsasque on
the eighth. Go as Parthenia your
self"
"I?"
"Yes. VIII you let me arrange
with the costumer? 1 shall have
that dress sent to you-another to
her,"
The girl started as if she had been
shot.
"No," she cried, passionately-"nOl
Listen to condolences not intended for
my earl 1t would be mean, dishon-
orable, underhand. No"
"Ianthe, you have mistaken idea
of honor. You may save Elsie's hap
piness as well as your own. Do
not misjudge her. She is a good lit
tie thing, and thinks he loves her
only. Did she know of the double
game be is playing, l am sure she
would 'sccrn him, as she should.
This man asked you to be his wife.
Let him prove himself worthy to be
your husband. You should stop at
no silly society scruples to tear the
mask from that which may bring you
misery and dishonor. My dear. if |
am mistaken, 1 will beg your par.
don and his, and give you to him
with all my heart; but l love
my child too dearly to risk her young
life's wreck. Will you be Parthenia?"
eyes"
At the door, Mrs. Burnham paused
and looked back, with eyes grown
suspiciously moist and great throb
of compassion at her heart. For,
in the center of the room, with
bowed head and nervously-
clasped hands, Ianthe How
ard stood. a pitifully childlike
figure, despite her heavy ruby-velvet
draperies-a girl standing alone un>
der the shivering, tottering ruins of
her first love castle:
X X X x
care the costumes ordered last
week fnished?"
eyes, madam"
The proprietress hastily left less
profitable customers to attend Mrs.
Burnham.
"As l have the crrriage and will
be passing Miss Gaudet's. shall drop
hers there, if it will be convenience
to you"
Madam was too kind. They were
rushed with work. They would be
very grateful.
So madam's liveried coachman lif-
ted the two long brown paper boxes
into the carriage and itsrolled away.
1t was quite dark when it drew up at
the Souther,ands' door.
"Just ring:and hand..this in, John.
Make haste is late"
She pushed a box toward him.
de obeyed her. Then he climbed to
his seat, she gave the order "HOme"
and the carriage drove off.
Mrs. Burnham laughed a little
sadly, to herself, and patted the box
which held the. pretty Parthenia
dress.
"Elsie will think 1t mistake.
How else could l convince!her! Be-
sides, alls fair in love and war
X x 4
Parthenia. stood alone in the recess
of window, and watched the mot
ley crswd surging through Mrs. kents
lofty rooms.
Hapless Marie Stuart and "Hea-
then Chinee," Sir Walter Raleigh
and Red Riding Hood, Richelieu and
Little Nell foated serenelY by.
Sab, you have come at last?'
Parthenia started suddenly at the
whispered words, and turned to con-
front tall fur-clad Ingomar.
"Have you no word for me, ma
belief
eyes; but not here.
She spoke very low, and in French.
She took his arm, and together
they passed into room made famil-
lar to both in their social visits the
library.
The room was long, silent, dimly-
lit. As yet it was toe early for the
dancers to wander off in search of
cooler air, SO they were un1isturbed.
Once there, he turned and faced
her in that mellow half,light which left
the corners mystically dim. :
He took off his mask, and showed
a decidedly handsome, decidedly evil {
face.
my Parthenial how beautiful
you look"
The expression was involuntary. 1
Beautiful indeed was the statesque
young figure, in that simple, severe,
exquisite. dress which challenges the
many, adorns the few-the Greek
costume.
The soft white robe fell in graceful, 1.
classic folds to her feet-the heavy ,
sto fr ,S,a takaa vrhan she crives har lou .