The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-03-18

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I'VE his feelings nor his actions. Imo-
gene had only said that she quite ex-
cused him." Had there been anything
tc excuse9 And then this stranger! He
was quite as inexplicable. Governor De
Forest had simply introduced him as
'Mr. John Winthrop" He was little
man, with plain. positive face. His
skin was tanned, his hair light, and his
eyes of that steely blue which always an
noys weak and incapable persons.
MIR. Winthrop made very light of the
adventure, and gave all the credit of the
rescue to the Governor. except perhaps
for one moment, in which Imogene and
he once more changed eyes. The news
soon spread through the little town. and
tontaine was very indignant at fate
elf only he had been with Miss Imo-
gene! Managing wild cattle was a trine
to him. He would rather have enjoyed
such an encounter than otherwise. He
had half dozen plans always ready for
such emergencies, etc. And really he
did look so gallant and so handsome
that most girls would have been willing
to face herd of wild buflaloes under
his protection.
Duval felt Fontaine's bravadO q per-
sonal slight, but he did not wish Imo-
gene the subject of a quarrel, and after
a rather unsatisfactory visit the two men
went home together.
However, next morning Captain Fon-
tame had the most graceful little note
from Miss Imogene, asking him to bring
his guitar and assist her in entertaining
a few guests that evening. Duval had
oil a. 4. "a
ingly referred to their mutual danger
and escape, and hoped he would come
prepared to finish the exquisite poem
which had been so terribly interrupted
The evening was a remarkable one in
many respects. Scarcely ever had the
ex-Governor's mansion been so profuse-
ly decorated and SO brilliantly illumin-
ated, and to the magnificent feast pre-
pared all the principal magnates of the
neighborhood had been invited.
lmogene had never looked so Devil
deringly unreal and poetic Her oval
face, with its creamy color and soft dark
eyes, was crowned with great waves of
black hair and snowy flowers, and her
long drapery OF some soft silky tissue
seemed to simmer and glance like a
fairy robe, as with winning smiles and
gracious, graceful manners she fitted
to and fro among the guests.
John Winthrop was among them. He
did not dance. and he did not sing, and
he smiled queerly at the very idea of his
reciting poetry; consequently neither
Duval nor Fontaine felt uneasy about
his influence. Indeed, he seemed only
to be able to converse on two subjects
property and politics.
Still, he had one great advantage-he
staid in the same house with Imogene,
and could see her in many favorable
moments forbidden to less happy NOR
tails. But Duval, who watched him
closely, was soon convinced he was in
different to this immense favor; for Du-
val had found opportunities of putting
very clever leading questions to Mr.. !
Winthrop, and that gentleman had an
swered them with the greatest candor.
Indeed, he was so much more polite |
and sympathetic than he expected that |
Duval, who really longed for conf |
dant, poured out his whole soul to him,
and asked John candidly what was his |
opinion about his own and Fontaine's |
chances. Did he really think that Fon-
taine would win Imogene?
John said he knew very little of wom- |
en-, but he thought Fontaine would not |
win Miss Imogene.
1t is comfort to have a confidant, |
and Duval frightened so much under !
the process of pouring out his hopes to !
John that Fontaine noticed the change,
and began to fear that his rival had com
tort and encouragement of which he did !
not know.
He was bordering this question very
gloomily one night when he met John
How it happened he never
could tell, but in five minutes the two
men were talking of Imogene, and Fon-
tame had told John all his hopes and
fears with regard to her. John listened
with interest and even encouraged the
though he tried to moder-
ate Fontaine's complaints of Duval.
=" For, said he, sit is only right to
tell you that l am also Duval's conf
dant. L must say the affair is full of
interest to me, and | can partly under
stand how it fills and coors all the
hours of your two lives. For me, things
are different. If l should fall in love. I
could not afford to lose either an
hours time or an hours sleep about any
In this way matters went on for some
weeks. John was the known COMPLIANT
Of both men, post not half as difficult
as it appears at first sight For Fon-
tame often wanted to say something
about Duval he did not care to saw to
Duvars face. He therefore made the
remark to John, hoping that he would
be his mouth-piece; and it is needless
10 say that DnYal followed the snrnn