The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-12-02

power of initiating handwriting. and by
the persuasion of some older heads he
forged a check for two thousand dollars
on the firm he was with. The check
passed the bank undetected, for the
Cashier was in the habit of paying over
large sums to Grady. But when it was
returned TO the firm the forgery was
discovered and traced to Stephen
when the truth came out that he had
gambled away the entire amount. and
the two men who had urged the crime
and pocketed the money had fed, leav-
ing the lad to bear the consequences.
He was arrested, and repentance came
when he saw the full consequence of his
acts. r,r
ut was then that Ellen proved her.
self the noble woman believe her to be.
She was suffering already for her broth
er's crime, having lost her place as or
ganist, and most of her music pupils
having left her. Despite all this, she
went to the firm and pleaded for the
lad. Her eloquence gained him some
thing. They agreed not to prosecute,
but to allow the boy to leave the town,
and go to an uncle who was willing to
give him another trial in Western city,
if-mark that if, Walter-if Ellen would
pay the $4,000 and interest within two
years.
"She undertook the task. Stephen
was released and sent to his fathers
brother, where he is doing well, and
Ellen left her home and came here,
hoping for higher wages than she could
earn in her own town. /, knowing all,
advanced her interest in every way.
Month after month, denying herself ev.
erythng but the merest necessaries of
life. she has sent her earnings to wipe
off her brothers debt With the rent
of the house and what she saves here
she has paid it all, the last installment
being acknowledged in letter band.
ed to her yesterday. You can under
stand why she could not take even
few dollars to subscribe for present to
me when l tell you the two years ex-
pired on the very day when the last hun.
dred dollars was received. Now, Wal
ter, you know Ellen's secret Judge for
yourself if she is miser."
"She is as noble and self-sacrificino
as my heart always told me she was, in
spite of appearancesp' said Walter,
warmly. Tomorrow Twill see if she
can ever return my love"
mot Tomorrow" said Mr.. Rodman,
smiling. ELLEN went home this after
noon, her task finished. Out of the
sum paid her for the last week of her
toll here. she begged the acceptance Of
the copy of Longfclow upon the table
beside you, asking me to believe she
was grateful for all my k ndness to her.
Let her rest little from her long strain
n fnil
then, if you can win her love, / will
gladly give her daughters place in
my heart"
Winter had come and gone and spring
sunshine was making all nature glad,
when, one CHEEKY morning, the train
through Lenwood left a single passen-
ger at the village station. He was a
tall, handsome man, dressed well, with
out foppishness, and he inquired of a
man at the station for the residence OF
Miss Churchill.
1.-The first white cottage as you turn
the second street from here" was the
reply.
1t was soon found and at the gate the
traveller halted. The windows, shaded
by wide verandah, were open, and he
could see the tasteful parlor. Near the
window stood a handsome woman, trail
ing vine over a network of string
Her face was partly averted. but the
stranger could see that all the pallor
and sadness of the past were gone.
Upon the graceful figure was dress
OF tleecy muslin, tastefully made and
trimmed with soft lace ruffies at throat
and wrist, and a few well-chosen orna-
ments. Suddenly some inner sense
seemed to tell Ellen she was watched.
She turned and saw Walter Rodman
looking earnestly, wistfully at her. A
quick flush swept across her cheek and
her eyes lighted gladly as she came for
ward to greet him.
MAY come imp he asked, opening
the little gate.
81 am very glad to welcome you,"
she answered, and then extended her
hand as he sprang lightly up the steps.
1t is not fair to repeat lovers talk.
Suffice it that before Walter left the lit
tie cottage to take the return train he
had won the dearest wish of his hearts;
and when summer roses bloomed Ellen
became the bride of the junior partner
of Meredith u Co, the new firm of the
factory where she had worked so faith.
fully.