The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-06-24
THE LAWYERS SECRET,
By B. L. Farieon, Author of BREAD
Cheese and Kisses"
CHAPTER II.-CoNTINUED.

CHAPTER II.-CoNTINUED.
81 am sorry Miss Arden should have
ever learned them, if they have given
her pain" said the young man, quietly.
Ellinor looked up in his face and saw
that the blue eyes, looking down into
hers, had peculiar earnestness all
their own.
lie is not so bad, after ALL" she
thought. 81 have been foolish in ridi-
.culing him; but can never love him."
"Miss Arden" he continued, drop
ping into chair by the sofa on which
she was seated, while Horace Margrave
leaned against the opposite side of the
e-place-" Miss Arden, we meet under
such peculiar circumstances, that it is
best for the happiness of both that we
should at once understand each other.
Your late uncle was the dearest friend
ever had; no father could have been
dearer to the most atfectionate of sons
than he was to me. Any wish, then, of
his must be forever sacred. But have
been brought up to rely upon myself
alone, and am proud in saying have
no better wish than to make my own
career, unaided by interest or fortune.
The loss, then, of this money will be no
loss to me. If it be your will to refuse
my hand, and to retain the fortune, to
which you alone have a claim, do so.
You shall never be disturbed in the pos
session of that to which you of all others
have the best right. Mr.. Margrave,
your solicitor, and executor to your
uucle's will, shall tomorrow execute a
deed, abnegating, on my part, all claim
to this fortune; and | will, at one word
l., Il IL 4, Il.
FORE" he added slowly, with an earnest
glance at her beautiful face, " before my
heart is too far involved to allow of my
being even just"
"Mr. Dalton" said Horace Mar
grave, lazily watching the two from
under the shadows of his eye-lashes
"you bring Roman virtue into May
Fair. You will purify the atmosphere. :"
"Shall | 60 or stay, Miss ArdenP'
asked the young man.
"Stay, Mr.. Daltonr' She rose as she
spoke, and laid her hand, as if for sup
port, upon the back of "a chair that was
standing near her. "Stay, Mr.. Dalton.
If your happiness can be made by the
union, which was my late uncles wish,
let it be so. | cannot hold this fortune
which is not mine; but may share it.
/ will confess to you, and | know your
generous nature will esteem me better
for the confession, that | have dared to
cherish dream in which the image of
another had part. | have been fool
ish, mistaken, absurd; as schoolgirls
often are. The dream is broken. If
you can accept my uncle's fortune and
my own esteem; one is yours by right,
the other has been nObly won by your
conduct of this evening""
She held out her hand to him, he
pressed it gently, and, raising it to his
lips, led her back to the sofa, and re-
seated himself in the chair, close beside
her
Horace Margrave closed his eyes, as
if the long expected blow had fallen.
The rest of the evening passed slow
ly. Mr.. Margrave talked and talked
brilliantly; but he had very dull audi
ence. Ellinor was diStrdH, Henry Dal-
ton thoughtful, and Mrs. Morrison EN-
inently stupid. The lawyer repressed
two or three yawns, which he concealed
behind an embroidered fire-screen, and
when the clock, on which an ormolu
Pan reclined amidst forest of bronze
rushes, announced half-past ten, he
rose to depart, and EllinOr was left to
ponder over the solemn engagement into
which she had entered on the impulse OF
the moment.
- had better take cab to the Tenn
ple," said young Dalton, as they left the
house. "rll wish you goodnight, Mr..
Margrave.
"No, Mr.. Dalton, l have something
to say to you that must be said, and
which, | think, L d rather say by night
than in the day. If you are not afraid
of late hours, come home with me to
my chambers, and smoke cigar. Be-
fore you see Ellinor Arden again.
must have an hours conversation with
you. Shall it be tonight ask it as
favor; let it be tonight"
Henry Dalton looked considerably as.
tonished by the earnestness of the law