The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-09-29

Miss barnett has considered me, ever
since the night of the concert, as the
most faithless of mortals. Is it not
sop
Ill did mott am sure" faltered
out Miss Marian, quite confused by this
sudden appeal. II never -"
"Whyl Did l not promise to make
up for my remissness in not coming pro-
vided with bouquet" said he. ''Well,
here is the best could get; for having
to wake up the seven sleepers, or rather
seventy, at our drowsy place, and hav-
ing to be in dozen different depart
ments at once, all day long, really
have not had time to see about so small,
yet so essential matter until to-
day" So saying, he handed to Ma
rian the ''lovely bouquet already adj
mired: The quick eyes of both his list
eners saw that it was clasped by an ele-
giant silver holder.
After one or two calculations of sur
prise and pleasure from both, Marian
managed to say: " But this is far too
beautiful and-and-costly for me-!
Only great singers ought to have such
offerings, Mr.. Pike. / ought to refuse
it, L am sure"
"Well, if you think it too much as a
gift, the only thing left is for you to pur-
chase it, Miss Barnett" continued the
visitor; land that can be done at once,
by your singing me another song. 1
had not sufficient courage to ask such a
thing at first but confess that took
advantage of my first leisure hour to
ride over in the hope of hearing one"
This was more overpowering still; yet
it was impossible to refuse anything to
so potent and generous a patron; so
Marian sang, nervously, at first, Mr..
Pike offering to do his best as accom-
PIANIST. His best appeared to be about
as good as it was possible to be, for he
was master of the instrument, and
then he showed that he was an admir-
able singer. In splendid baritone
voice he gave songs from the operas of
which Marian had only read, so de-
lighting her, that when she owned she
had never heard an opera, he declared
that it was cruelty to allow her to be
pleased with such a paltry imitation,
and that he would see that Mrs. barnett
had tickets sent to her every night dur
ing the approaching visit to Sands
mouth of great opera troupe. After
this promise he departed, resisting Mrs
Darnett's invitation to partake of a cup
of tea-at which refusal that lady,
hospitable as she really was, was
secretly reioiced, distrusting her re-
sources upon so short q notice-and
leaving his hostess and her daughter
bewildered and delighted beyond all
precedent.
This pleasing excitement had not sub
sided by the time Phil paid his custom
airy evening visit, when all particulars
had to be rehearsed to him, and all
sorts of variations rung in praise of the
new partner. Phil was much aston
ished at hearing all this.
"He does not seem that sort of man
to me, ;" was his comment. 81 can not
say that he has done anything harsh or
out of the way in the warehouse, yet l
am quite sure there is not man in the
place who likes him now, or who does
not feel afraid of him."
swell, Phil, dear, you, at any rate,
will never have cause to feel afraid OF
him." said Marian, logically following
such interest in my father, and shows
such kindness to my mother and my
self, he will be sure to think great
deal more of you, who are such help
to him. should not wonder if he made
you head clerk, when old Mr. Scamler
retires."
Phil shook his head, as though he
scarcely Endorsed this summary; and
then, after moments hesitation, said:
II never told you, Marian, of quarrel
which saw one evening between gen.
tleman and tramp, and in which, in
deed, 1 may aim ost say l took part"
mo, of course you never did" said
the young lady, "Wha. was it,
PHILIP" .E..
In reply, Mr.. Hartleby gave a detailed
account of the adventure, in which
Marian was greatly interested; and when
she heard of the Identification of Mr..
Pike with the horseman her look
changed to very serious one.
81 hope he does not remember you,
Philr' she exclaimed. II should not
think he should youP"
''I should not think so, returned Phil
Up, oracularly; ''only, that whatever
ought not to happen, and whatever you
don't want to happen, is exactly what
always does happen. Yet, must own,
that he has never dropped a word
which could lead me to think he recol-
lects me; and but for something in his
eyes when L first met them-in the of
fee, mean-I should feel pretty GER
tain that he had forgotten me. But
only think, Marian, l saw that very
tramp tonight, as was coming here. n
81 hope he will not get into any more
quarrels and involve you," said Marian.
'Why does he not go away somewhere
elseP He ought TO do so, you know, il
he is a tramp