The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-07-07

point OF going out together anu ulu
not detain them. Iasked for you, hut
Mrs. Oliphant told me you were en-
gagged and could not be seen. They
were so cold to me, Dana, that l lost
my courage, and went away heavy
hearted, never expecting to come back
again.
"Oh, Mr.. Farrington-Launt, 1
msanr 1t was this exclamation that
Alexia heard, as she stood for an instant
in the open doorway. In that instant
she realized the mistake she had made,
and retreating softly, closed the door
after her. Dana was looking up into
her lovers face with shining eyes. "But
you came,' she said, softly.
81 did not really go. / found letter
from my grandmother awaiting me at
the hotel, which had been forwarded
from New York. 1t gave me reprieve,
and | fingered, not bold enough to put
my fate to the touch by going directly
to your father before l had the assur-
ance now have from you. wish you
knew how happy you have made me,
Dana. L have been wretched and ieal-
Gus. 1 watched you often when you did
not dream of it"
. From across the street, and at Mr.
Schoenberger's studio?" asked Dana,
with mischievous CLEAN, though
thinking at the same time how much
brighter she would have been had she
known it then. 4.
''Good little Schoenberger! said
Launt, with laugh. II wonder if he
suspected that only went there because
l picked up word about you? If he
nt ,aI
family, l should think him madly in
love with your cousin, he sang her,
praises so persistently." M =.
Poor Lex!n and Dana echoed the
laugh. She Imagined Lexis chagrin
when she should learn the truth,
not suspectingthat Lex had arrived at
itlalready. The next moment the door
opened and Mrs. Oliphant entered One
glance was enough to tell her how far
matters had gone; if it had not, Launt
was ready enough, now that he knew
Dana's mind,
Sand with your permission. dear
Mrs. Oliphant," he finished his appeal
to her, ~ will go to your husband at
once. / want to set myself right in
your sight and his; l hope to prove that
| am not altogether unworthy of your
daughter"
IF it has come to that, 1 will 60 to
him." said Mrs. Oliphant, slowly.
''Dana, you will make no promises;
MIR. harrington, you will bind her to
none, until her father and / talk this
matter over. | ask it,"
"Ah, Mrs. Oliphant, it is too late for
that Promise or no promise, we are
pledged to each other, said Eaunt,
seeking ms Fconfirmation in Dana's
eyes. .A 4 ~
A stranger was leaving the library as
Mrs. Oliphant entered it, man of the
shabby genteel' order, who bowed
and held open the door, darling keen,
searching look into the lady's face as
she passed. fBF3 taH8
s''Who was that, Power?'' she asked.
''Only Harmon Quest Alexa's Mr..
Quest, you know, Rose | might call
him miney now,r as aptly. He is very
tolerable lawyer, and has been making
himself useful in these real-estate nego-
tiations of mine. He's the. cleverest of
fellows at getting hold of secret
points"
Rose did not give the lawyer second
thought SD ~ blht tbtAN
Power" she said, 81 may as well tell
you at once, the time we have dreaded
has come"
That time was bound to come sooner
or later" Mr.. Oliphant remarked, when
he had heard all she had to tell. 'And
really, dear, l don't share your an
tipathy to that young man. l am in no
hurry to lose our girl, and did what |
could to discourage him-and felt guilty
every time l looked into the child's
dropping face. If Dana likes him, and
they have made it up together, you and
l must put away our scruples and stand
aside.H VDT rTTU hgr
"If it were any one else" cried Rose,
pass onately. g If it were Gordon Mar
quis i could trust him. But that man!
Power, i feel that be has only won her
from usto break her heart" .fI tf
Mr.. Oliphant took his wife's hand in
loving clasp. These two were fond
lovers in the middle age.
81 understand " ur prejudice against
his. Southern origin, and that is his
chief objection in my eyes. He will be
wanting to take Dana away from us,
but l can never consent 10 that. We
must make it a cond ton that he shall
settle here. For the rest The secret will
be as safe when Dana marries as it is
now. The one fact that he need ever
know-that she is an adopted child
will not have feathers weight with
him If he is the true stuff"
"If he is the true stuff'!' repeated
Mrs. Oliphant to herself, almost with a
groan. And he is. in the way Power
means, He would marry her if she
were a beggar's daughter. But how