The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-10-06

will not think me intrusive, or as
neddling with what does not concern
me, Mr.. Hartleby, if / tell you that. /
have learned something about Mr.. Oar
nett and his family
Phil started visibly upon hearing this,
but did not speak.
II have no doubt you know" contin-
ued the clerk. ''that what the governor
wants. and will have by fair means or
foul, is to get Mr.. Darnett's daughter
to marry him?
Hartleby could not suppress a slight
groan in reply.
The young man looked at him for an
instant with an air of COMMUNICATION, as
though he thoroughly sympathized with
him, and then hurriedly proceeded:
''He will have her, too, sir, if it is to be
done. | know that some of the men
who have bought from old barnett can
not meet their bills. which were given
on the express understanding that they
should be renewed; but-and here comes
in the worst-Pike's solicitor has got
them from the man who discounted
them-of course, you can Judge who set
him to work-and he will not renew
The consequence is, there will be a
smash, and poor old barnett will go
first. l am afraid you can't do much,
Mr.. Hartleby; but although it was
hardly business-like for me to mention
what had heard, could not help Civ
ing you chance to see if anything
could be done"
Hartleby wrung the young fellows
hand and thanked him briefly; but as
the other disappeared his heart sank
IN hnt I, &c
spoken when he said he feared Philip
could not do much. What could he do?
II he held Marian to her engagement,
he believed she would be true to him,
although she died in the struggle. She
must suffer; while her father would be
ruined, and his gray hairs indeed be
brought with sorrow to the grave.
That he himself would suffer also was
certain; but he was manly and resolute
enough to care comparatively little
about this, even although he had reason
to think his dismissal with disgrace was
included in the programme.
In this depressed mood, he felt no in
clination to go home, but walked aim
lessly about the town until-when he
had quite forgotten where he was-he
turned the corner, and came suddenly
upon the great circus, now just bursting
out into blaze of gas, preparatory to
the opening of its doors for the evening.
As Philip crossed, to pass down the by
street along which the side of the circus
ran, he heard his name pronounced
aloud; and looking round, saw, some
what to his veXation, the man who had
been engaged in the quarrel with Mr..
Pike. At the moment, he would have
preferred seeing almost any one to this
man; so, with q brief answer, he was
hurrying on, when the other called to
him again.
"What do you want?" returned Phil,
with touch of irritation in his voice.
why, want you," was the answer.
"Pve been trying to get round to your
place all the afternoon. Can you see
me after the show? We close at quarter
after eleven"
"What forp" was the natural inquiry
of Philip.
"What forP" echoed the other, with
! an expression of contempt. "Why, if
had got time to tell you now, do you
think L should want you to come round
then? 1t is on your business, and not
on mine. that l want you; and the ques-
ton is, will you be here at quarter
after eleven, or won't you? Just say
yes or no, for I've got to dress and be in
the ring in half an hour"
" Yes. " said Philip, who was impressed
| by the man S earnestness.
"All right, mister" said the man;
II will be there, too, and your time
won't be thrown away" With this he
vanished behind the canvas door at
which he had been standing.
During the remainder of that evening
Phil kept up an incessant speculation as
to the reason of this extraordinary APP
pointment. Sometimes he almost made
up his mind to disregard it, as founded
on the invitation of a worthless va
grant; but ere this resolution was fairly
framed.in his mind the remembrance of
the man and his strange earnestness ut
terly banished it, and left instead some
thing like alarm, and dread of some
yet more unwelcome revelations.
He did not, however, fail to keep his
appointment, and stood in the shade of
the circus walls just as the nearest
church clock chimed the quarter. He
had met the crowd, which flowed like a
tide from its gates as he arrived, show
ing that the performances were con-
Guided; his associate was not long be-
hind him.
"Here you are then, misterr' ex-
claimed the latter, as he emerged from
the circus, budding on his shabby great
coat as he came. That's all right!
Now, won't keep you long. just come
into the Fisherman's Arms, for it is
precious cold here, and L will get to
business in minute"
| Ihn clrcns-nnan-P Phil did not Irnn,xr