The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-10-20

had an hours real care since"
Z" | don't quite see the point of It. l
am sure Robert is good husband-in
deed, sometimes look upon him as an
angel; but, you see, NO one has pro-
posed TO me. And if some one did,
already have home; and | have no
need to have any particular cares that
l know of. Well, but your further adj
viceP Surely You had something more
to say than Look at mel
lit is only, dear, that Robert and /,
who have your welfare at heart, and
who feel sure that your intentions, at
least are good"
'"That Is kind WellP"
"We hope you will not do any.
thing-anything that would be pecul-
lar, or compromise your chances after
ward"
Chancesr' echoed Margaret. her
head suddenly elevated. ~ suppose
that means that ii 1 do not behave very
prettily, may not find this sort of hus-
band you would think desirable for me.
In other words, you and Robert are con-
vinced that | am hopelessly mad in
reality; but you hope l shan't have anv
paroxysms until L am safely out of your
hands. | am sure, if l were in your
place, / should feel exactly the same.
What plan would you adopt, ifyou were
me, to keep myself quiet?n
Mrs Pierce had been issued into the
world minus any Imagination, or sense
of humor. She replied very seriously:
"Well, dear, if were you, would
90 and stay some time at Beckbridge
Abbey, and try to become acquainted
with some of your own tenantry and de-
pendents. You are Lady of the Manor,
you know. Maurice Biddulph was tell-
ing me the. other day, that he should
soon be going to his place at Beckbridge,
which is really next door to the Abbey,
and am sure he would be too glad tc
give you any advice and help"
Mrs. Pierce's touching picture Of ruIa,
life and mutual good will was inter.
rupted by n little, hard, sarcastic laugh
on the part of the recipient of her ad-
vice.
laura. must think about it. Sup
pose l talk it over with Mr.. Biddulph
tonight" o.
Il wish you would. As said, am
sure he would be delighted"
"Oh, he is vastly obliging, I know.
Miss Darlington of BeckbridgeJ Alb
bey;' Mr.. Biddulph, of Beckbridge
Hall How well the two names sound
together, don't theyp" .-0 st,
o Laura, though not humorist, nor a
woman of mind, usually knew when
people were really agreeing with her,
and when they were only pretending to
do so. She replied: 0l'r
"No, not at all, as you say them. j
know it is of no use talking to you.
You Will listen to no one, though you
have seen nothing of the world. and
L"
"Was married at eighteen. and have
never seen anything but drawing-rooms
of weH-to-do people since; if you cab
| that knowing the world. AS you say.
Laura, have seen nothing of the world
The one object of my instructors APP.
pears to have been to keep me quite ig.
norant of it. Tom knows far more
about it than do; yet he is not twenty
one, nor has he an estate and anincome
to manage. 1t is just for that reason
that, whatever else do, I will see a lit
tie of the world before I-before think
of anything else. Meantime, hope you
won't imagine every time you see me
open my purse that l am about to dissi-
pate my entire fortune upon some un-
worthy or absurd object. Credit me
with little of the reason granted to
more favored mortals, l. pray. There
is Roberts voice below. | hope he is
not going to give me advice, for don't
feel as if could stand it. l shall be
too limp to dance step, if L have any
more advice tonight - 10.
Mrs. Pierce, relieved to know that her
husband was in the house, inquired
next: How many dances have you
promised for tonight, Madge?"
Dances One"
"Only one. Isiit the first?" 10 ua
at is the first" f..s ..I.e
81 think 1 can guess who. will
have it. "
II don't believe younean! You may
haye three tries if yen like, Now then"
"Maurice Biddulph."
'tNo,h said Margaret coldlyl and
conpQsedly.l sinnimou uBdl asIt
mo! Then l give it up, l cannot
imagine you comforting the favor on any
other man."
any dear, l have not conferred the
favorion man at all.p rul 5000 lg
+" mot on man! Margaret, what do
you meanP"
"Calm yourself! You don't call Tom
man, isuppose; though am aware
that he calls himself one, and is under
the firm impression that he has arrived
ut the full maturity of his powers Of in
tellect and of fatal fascination for our
sex. "'"t i'o'" @'" "@ 9'l't
at is absurd! 1t will look fidic1-
lousn'a- .i;lT ain a. ,s.,I sob.
Il mot at all. He is nearly as tall as
I am He has promised to put on d
pair of white gloves, to part his hair