The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-01-07

me at the Waterdale Station at GUAR
ter p,lst eight That added my aunt.
"is the hour at which the Albany train
stops there So, Victor, | shall want
the carriage at little before eight. l
am rather surprised" continued nv
aunt, turning to me as she spoke, that
Caroline is willing to travel with so
much valuable property about her.
Those diamonds of hers are worth, at
the very lowest calculation fifty thou
sand dollars"
Fifty thousand dollars Aunt, you
surprise me-"
Did you not know that Mr. West
has perfect craze for collecting pre-
cious stones, particularly diamonds.
Every time that he and Carrie 90 to Eu-
rope they come back laden with fresh
treasures in that line. She has a SUI
perb diamond necklace. Then, there is
the bracelet that belonged to the EN-
press Eugene, and the set of rose-pearls
and brilliants that she bought at the sale
of the Queen of Spain's Jewels, and the
pear-shaped diamond pendants from the
Musard sale, and ever so many more.
And only our good Victor, here, to
stand guard over all these treasures.
Victor, l shall have to take out the Cen
erals revolyers to lend you for to-
night"
If madame desires me to sit up all
night, | shall be happy to do so, to keep
watch over the house" replied Victor,
with his usual bow.
"No need of that. But perhaps it
would be as we'll for you to sleep on
the library sofa, with the revolvers
within reach. Now, let us be off. Liz
zie, you must come with me for COM
pany."
She said these last words just as Vic
tor vanished out of the door, carrying
with him the tray loaded with plates
and glasses. did not feel at all in
clined to take drive of over a mile in
the sharp frosty air, and was beginning
a refusal, when a glance at my aunt S
face froze the words upon my lips. l
cannot describe her expression. | can
compare it only to the countenance of a
ghost-seer, who has beheld some hideous
| and malevolent specter, invisible to all
other persons present. She laid one
finger on her mouth, in token of silence,
and the next moment was bustling
about, looking for shawls and lap-rugs,
and discussing, in her usual clear, de-
cided tones, as to what room she had
best put Cousin Caroline in, and
whether the diamonds had not best be
locked up in one of the silver chests till
morning. did not dare to question
her. Something very strange and terri
bly, wrong was going on; of that 1 was
convinced; but did my best to follow
her lead, and to talk easily and
cheerfully whilst putting on my hat and
fur-lined cloak which Victor had brought
in from the hat-rack in the hall before
going to get out the carriage.
| do not think that Victor was over
fifteen minutes in bringing the carriage
around; but short as was the interval, it
appeared to me endless. NY aunt,
meanwhile, occupied herself with put
ting on her wraps as quietly, and me-
thodically, as though she had been going
on shopping expedition at Stewart 5,
or for drive in Central Park, Her
face still kept its white, set aspect, how
ever; and when I offered to go upstairs
to get her a pair of gloves, she refused,
with more vehemence than was usual to
her. At last Victor appeared at the
door and announced that the carriage
was ready.
IAN ready, you sayP" said my aunt.
"Then we will lock the front-door, and
do you take charge of the key, Victor.
You have seen to the windows and to
the other doors, l supposeP
"They are fastened, madame"
THAT is well. And now to the sta
ton"
That drive--that drive! l have felt ice
and marble, in my day; but anything so
MORALLY, penetratingly cold, as was the
hand wherewith my aunt clasped mine,
l have never yet encountered.
commenced to interrogate her,
in whisper; but that frozen
palm was at once pressed to my
lips, and forbore, Some danger threat
ened us, even then, it seemed. So we
went on in perfect silence, the carriage
lamps casting quivering CLEANS of light
on the dark shrubs and leafless trees by
the roadside, and filing every shadowy
nook with vague images of terror.
That driYe-how interminable it
seemed-how welcome shone the glim-
mering lights of Waterdale when first
we discerned them in the distance.
Then came the streets and houses of the
little town; and, finally, Victor checked
the horses in front of the brightly lighted
station, with its usual group of lOung-
ers, and its waiting porters and railway
officials.
My aunt sprang from the carriage, and
followed. The next moment she had
caught Victor by the collar with two
frenzied hands, crying, as she did so, in
shrill, piercing tones:
"Help, help! This man is murder
err'