The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-06-24


repeats her question. as if it were the
last of all others which he expected to
hear.
"Yes, my fortune! How much of it
was settled on myself?'
mot one pennyW She gives start
of surprise, which he answers in his
most nOnchdIdnt manner "Not one
penny of it! There was no mention
whatever of anything like a settlement
in your uncle's will. He left his money
to you; but he left it TO you only on con-
dition that you shared it with his adopted
and beloved son, Henry Dalton. This
implies not only strong affection for,
but an implicit faith in, the young man.
To tie up your money, or to settle it on
yourself, would be to nullify your uncle's
will. The man that could be trusted by
him, could be trusted by you. This is
why | never suggested settlement. L
may have, perhaps, acted in rather an
unlawyer-like manner; but do believe,
my dear Ellinor, that | acted in the only
manner consonant with your late uncle's
affectionate provisions for the two per-
sons nearest and dearest to himP'
"Then Henry Dalton is sole master
of my-of the fortune?n
"As your husband decidedly yes"
And he may, if he pleases, sell the
Arden Estate?'
1.-The Arden Estate is not entailed.
Certainly he may sell it, if he wishes"
"Then, Mr.. Margrave, | must inform
you that he does wish to sell it; that he
does intend to sell it..
"To sell Arden Hall?"
"Yesr'
An angry flush lights up her face, as
she looks eagerly into the lawyers eyes
for one flash of surprise or Indignation.
She looks in vain.
"Well, my dear Mrs. Dalton, in my
opinion he shows himself very sensi-
BILE fellow, by determining on such a
proceeding. Arden is one of the dreari-
est, coolest and most tumbled-dOwn old
piles of building in all England. 1t
possesses all the leading features of a
country mansion; magnificent oak panel
ing, contemplate servants offices;
three secret staircases, and not one
register stove; six tapestried chambers,
and no bath-room; a dozen Leonardo
da Vincis, and not one door that does
not let in assassination, in the shape of
a northeast wind; a deer park, and no
DEER three game-keepers' lodges, and
not game enough to tempt the most
fabulous of poachers! Sell Arden Hall!
Nothing could be more desirable; but,
alasl my dear Ellinor, your husband is
not the man took him for, if he calcu-
lates on finding a purchaserr'
She looks at him with not little con-
tempt, as she says:
:" But the want of feeling; the out
rage upon the memory of my poor
uncle?"
"Your poor uncle will not be remem-
bered day longer through your retain
ing possession of draughty and UNI
comfortable house. When did Dalton
tell you that he meant to sell Arden?"
"On our return from our tour. |
suggested that we should live there
that is, of course, out of the season."
"And hep
"Repled that it was out of the ques-
ton our ever residing there, as the place
must be sold.
You asked him his reasons?'
Il did. He told me that he was UNI
able to reveal those reasons to me, and
might never be able to reveal them.
He said, that if l loved him, l could
trust him, and believe in him, and be-
lieve that the course he took, however
strange it might appear to me, was, in
reality, the best and wisest course he
could take"
but, in spite of this. you doubt
himP" he asks, earnestly.
How can | do otherwise? Of the
fortune which have brought to him, he
refuses to allow me penny. He, the
husband of rich woman, enjoins econ
omy-economy even in the smallest
details. | dare not order II jewel, a
picture, an elegant piece of furniture, a
stand of dollhouse flowers; for, if | do
so, | am told that the expenditure is be-
yond his present means, and that must
wait till we have more money at our
command. Then again, his profession
is a thousand times dearer to him than
|. No briefless, penniless barrister,
with a mother and sister to support,
ever worked harder than he works, ever
devoted himself more religiousiy than
he devotes himself to the drudging rou-
tine of the bar"
"Ellinor Dalton, your husband is as
high-minded and conscientious aman as
ever drew the breath of human life.
seldom take the trouble of making a We
hement assertion; so believe me if you
can, now that | do! Believe me, even
if you cannot believe himn'
"You, too, against me-" she said,
mournfully. 80, believe me, it is not
the money for which | wish it is not the
possession of the money which grudge
him; it is only that my heart sinks al
the thought of being united to a man
cannot respect or esteem. did not ask
to love him." she added, half to her
self; "but | did pray that | might bC