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


vehicle stopped before the gate, and the
driver, shining in his streaming oil-skin
cape. came toward them. o,
fare you emptyP" asked Mrs. Val
lens. "Can you take fare to Sands
MOUTH"
The man did not reply for few Sec
onds; and thinking he had not under
stood her, Mrs. Vallens was about TO
repeat the question, when he said: "Do
you want to go into the town, ma'am?"
"No. it is this young lady," returned
Mrs. Vallens, ''who wishes to 90 to the
Lower Down Road. You can take her,
l hope?"
at is Miss barnett, I see." said the
man, touching his hat II have the honor
of knowing her friends, so will take her,
although am not on regular business
now. drive only now and then" he
continued. Nobody had expressed any
desire for further detail; but he went
on: 81 am employed at the circus; but
they have taken out q drivers license
for me; and was going to bring a lady
and some children from Bithfeld"
Mrs. Vallens had frowned at first at
this loquacity; but an idea struck her
as to its cause, which changed the frown
into smile, and calling to her servant,
she desired her to bring brandy and
water into the hall.
You can drink glass Of something
before you start, coachman, l dare
say?" she said.
"Well, yes, ma am" replied the driv-
er, who had n curious way of ewing the
person to whom he spoke so closely as
to be rather unpleasant. "Not that l
am given much to drink. l have not
drunk more than would do me good at
any time for this four years"
II am glad to hear it, coachman,"
said the elder lady, as he paused.
"Here is your brandy and water, but
do not drink it now, if you have any
objection"
mo objection in the world, ma am"
returned the man, taking the tumbler;
land here are my best respects to you,
ma am, and the young lady" TIE
curious, searching look was very strong
upon him as he spoke. ''But as / was
saying, ma'am, 1 left off drinking in
consequence of my nearly having a
fatal accident. All it must be five
years ago, now l come to recollect. 1
was abroad at the time
As he paused here to take second
draught, Mrs. Vallens said: Now, my
dear"' to Marian. But the drivers
narrative was not quite finished.
Yes, ma'am," he resumed; 81 was
in Gibraltar at the time"
In Gibraltar" exclaimed Mrs. Val
lens, with more of interest and surprise
in her tone than she had yet shown.
Eyes, ma'am. l suppose you have
heard of the Rock of Gibraltarp You
have! Perhaps you've seen it, ma amp
continued the driver.
:" Yes, have. But my young friend
| is in haste to get home, and + must ask
you not to delay" said Mrs. Vallens.
Her latter words were spoken rather
sharply as if she were vexed with her
self for having been led to admit any
thing to such man. The driver took
the hint; and touching his soaked hat
again, led the way to the fly aRd opened
the door. Marian following anu entering
the vehicle.
, As they drove off, Mrs. Vallens said
to Margaret, who was an old familiar
servant: II almost dreaded to let Miss
barnett 60 with that man; his manner
was so strange"
Lor' bless you, mas ami exclaimed
the attendant; "he is all right, ma am;
it's only his way. l know he belongs
to the circus, as he says, for have seen
him about the doors every time / have
gone into Sandsmouth, for months
past"
This was to certain extent reassur-
ing; but the features of the man and the
sound of his voice haunted the lady in q
most unaccountable manner.
Had Mrs. Vallens, or any one else,
indeed, been DESTROYS of testing the cor
rectness of Miss. Darnett's story, no
great trouble need have been taken to
prove its perfect truth; for as it hap
pens to most men who fall in love when
past the heyday of life, Mr.. Pike dis
played more earnestness in pressing his
suit with the girl of whom he had so
suddenly become fascinated than would
have been shown by many mere lad,
who had the hot blood and the inexpe-
rience of youth to excuse him. He may
have intended to be guarded at first;
but the opposition it met with irritated
the torrent it was intended to check;
and while half Sandsmouth was aware
of his suit, the whole of his establish
ment made common discourse of his
| infntuation.
Possibly Mr.. barnett had been too
communicative among his friends; per-
haps it was merely official watchful-
ness which gave an inkling of the secrets;
but certain it was that several of the staff
in Mr.. Pixies offices were very well in
formed of the position of affairs-as
Philip Hartleby found He had received
some plain hints, and some well-meant
advice, while the distress of Marian, and