The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-09-16
WHICH WILL SHE CHOOSE?

Great news, glrlS!' cried pretty
Belle Winters, as she came dancing
into the parlor, where a group of young
girls were assembled. All belonged to
what they proudly denominated THE
Cranston Benevolent Sewing Society,""
and they met punctually every Wednes-
day afternoon, at the house of some
one of the members; but, if truth must
be told, the amount of talking done ex-
'ceeded the amount of sewing, as thou
sand exceeds single unit.
AS Bellies exclamation reached their
ears, every needle was suspended in
mid-air, as its owner eagerly demanded:
what is itP Tell us quick, Belle"
"Well. said that young lady, as she
subsidized into chair, % 1 met Joe Rich
ards this morning, driving with such
splendid-looking man. o, can tell
you he was just perfect! And l Won
dered who he could be, and made
up my mind to find out. So l was think
ing and thinking about it. as walked
here this afternoon, and just as l turned
the corner of this street who should |
meet but Joe and this same gentleman
walking. Joe stopped and begged to
introduce his friend, Mr.. Kingsley, and
then said that Mr.. Kingsley was an old
school-friend of his, who had Just re-
moved to Frankfort, and he had prom
ised to bring him here to Cranston for
all the parties this winter, so he should
depend on us TO invite him. OF course
said we should be happy to do So"
so, of course" echoed all herlisten-
ers, sympathizingly. vff4 .
There is the sociable for next week,
Belle; did you invite them to thatP"
asked Lizzie Cutler. "You were ON the
inviting committed
Certainly, didr' responded Belle.
And what did they sayP" exclaimed
a dozen voices. r.s p
why, what would they sayp''
laughed Belle, with little triumph in
her tones. Promised they would come,
and each begged for the first dance, of
course"
'And which did you chooseP' was
THE next question. N.
MIR. Kingsley, to be sure. l can
dance with Joe any time, besides
promised him the secondp'
Her auditors looked slightly disap-
pointed. but all were accustomed to
yielding the first place to Belle, and
she was such a general favorite that
there was never ANY hard feeling on the
subject,
Joe said something" continued
Belle, ''about Mr.. Kingsley's brother.
They had turned half away, and | did
not hear distinctly. 1t will be fun if
there are two additions of that kind to
our stock of beaux."
well, am sure such additions are
needed" cried Addie Palmer. ..for
there are scarcely dozen young men in
-Cranston, and Joe is the only one who
ever drives over from Frankfort to at
tend any of our partiesr'
MIR. Kingsley may as well STAY
away for all we shall gain" laughed
Lizzie Cutler, ''fer Belle will mo-
nopolize him, as she does every one."
There was, however, No unkindness or
Jealousy in the remark; Lizzie thought
Belle perfection, and would have
quarreled on the spot with any one who
dared to disagree with her.
"All L want is a fair field and no
favor" said Belle, merrily. IF Mr..
Kingsley prefers any of you girls to me,
i am perfectly willing. But, now, to
complete the arrangement for next
week." and thereupon followed long
and earnest discussion of order OF
dances, the music. supper and toilettes,
during which sewing was a thing for
gotten, and if the poor of Cranston
were waiting for the Benevolent Society
to clothe them, it is much to be feared
that they would have little to protect
them from the winters cold.
The night for the sociable arrived in
due season, and with it Mr.. Richards
and his friend, whom he impartially in
troduced to every young lady of his ac-
quaintance, but though gay and polite
with all, Mr.. Kingsley was at Belle
Winters side whenever it was possible.