The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-07-08


or an excuse, know what course to
take"
And that course" -
al will tell you what it is, when re-
ceive Henry Dalton's reply. But 1 am
unjust to him." she said, she cannot
refuse to comply with this request
Three days after this conversation,
just as the half-hour bell had rung, and
as Sir Lionels visitors were all hurry
ing off to their dressing-rooms, Ellinor
laid her hand lightly on Horace Mar
graves arm, as he was leaving the large
drawing room, and said:
Pray let me speak to you for a few
minutes. have received Mr.. Dalton's
answer to my letter."
And that answer" he asks, as he
follows her into the little room commu-
nicating with the conservatory.
Is, as you suggested it might be,
refusal"
"a refusalr' He elevates his dark,
arched eyebrows family, but seems
very little surprised at the intelligence.
I" Yes: refusal. He dares not even
attempt an excuse, or invent a reason
for his conduct. Forty pounds year,
he says, viii be comfortable c0mpe-
tence for an old woman in the north of
Scotland, where very few ministers of
the Presbyterian Church have larger
income. That sum he will settle on her
Immediately, and he sends me check
for the first half-year. But he will set
tie no more, nor will he endeavor to
explain motives which are always mis-
construed. What do you think of his
conductP'
AS she spoke, the glass door, which
separated the tiny boudoir from the
conservatory, swung backwards and
forwards in the autumn breeze, which
blew in through the outer door of the
conservatory; for the day having been
unusually warm for the season of year,
this door had been left open.
"My dear Ellinor," said Horace Mar
grave, "if any one should come into the
conservatory, they might hear us talking
of your husband"
Everyone is dressing" she an
swered, carelessly. I" Besides, if any,
one were there, they would scarcely be
surprised to hear me declare my con-
tempt for Henry Dalton. The world
does not, hope, give us credit for being
happy couple"
LAS you will; but am sure | heard
some one stirring in that conservatory.
But no matter. You ask me what l
think of your husbands conduct in re-
fusing to allow superannuated nurse
OF yours more than forty pounds yearP
Dom think me a heartless ruffian, if
tell you that L think he is perfectly
right"
but to withhold from me my own
money! To fetter my aims giving! To
control my very charities! | might for
give him, if he refused me a diamond
necklace, or pair of ponies; but in this
matter, in which my affection is con-
cerned, to let his economy step in to
Illustrate my earnestly-expressed wishes
it is too cruel.'
"My dear Mrs. Dalton, like all very
impetuous and warm-hearted People,
you are rather given to jump at conclu.
sions. Mr.. Dalton, you say, withholds
your own money from you Now, your
own money, with the exception of the
Arden estate, which he sold on your
marriage, happens to have been invested
entirely in the Three Per Cents Now,
suppose-mind, haven't the least rea-
son to suppose that such thing has
ever happened, but for the sake of put
ting case-suppose Henry Dalton, as
clever and enterprising man of business,
should have been tempted to speculate
with some of your money!"
Without consulting me?'
Without consulting you. Decidedly.
What do women know of speculation"
Mr.. Margrave, if Henry Dalton has
done this, he is no longer a miser, but
he is-a cheat. The money left to me
by my uncle's will was mine. To be
shared with him, it is true, but still
mine. No sophistry. no lawyers quib-
BILE, could ever have made it his. If,
then, he has, without my consent or
knowledge, speculated with that money,
no longer despise him az a miser, but
l detest him as dishonest man. All!
Horace Margraye, you with noble blood
IN your veins; you a gentleman, an
honorable man; what would you think
OF Henry Dalton, if this were possible?"
"Ellinor Dalton, have you ever heard
of the madness men have christened
gamblingP Do you know what he feels
this man who hazards his wfe's fortune,
his widowed mothers slender pittance.
his helpless children's inheritance, the
money that should pay for his eldest
sons education, his daughters dowry,
the hundreds that is due to his trusting
creditors, or the gold intrusted to him
by confiding employer, on the green
cloth OF West-end gaming tablet Do
you think that at that mad moment,
when the gas-lamp dazzles his eyes, and
the piles of gold heave UP and down
upon the restless green baize, and the
croupier's voice, crying: Make your