The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-10-13

house, my boy, to-day. Do you know
who is coming here directly, anc why
he comes?"
AZ do" said Phil.
"Then | fear your visit will only give
you pain" continued the elder. Il
know what young people feel, although
my day is passed; but do not quarrel
with fate"
"Fatel You do not call the wiles and
crafty plottings of such man as this
Mr.. Pike. Fate? You do not
More Philip would probably have
said but loud knock at the door an
nounced the arrival of the person he
was so energetically denouncing. In a
few hasty words barnett begged him to
retire, for the time, at any rate. Philip
agreed to do so, but added: "When
Marian is called, as you know she will
be, will come with her. What is to
be said shall be said in my presence. "
With this he disappeared, leaving Mr..
barnett to nerve himself for the coming
interview. with as little comfort in the
prospect as it was possible for any man
to feel.
What passed between him and the
visitor in the opening of this interview
was not known; hut those who were in
the next room could hear that one voice
grew more pleading, the other harsher,
as 1T progressed. At last Mr.. barnett
opened the door and called for his wife
and daughter
Zone moment, Mrs. barnett" eX-
claimed Philip; "let me enter with you.
Marian can follow us in couple of
minutes-I must 1t is the last time |
shall have an opportunity of speaking,
and will speak now"
Overpowered by his manner, Mrs.
barnett, weak and irresolute at any
time, suffered the young man to ac-
company her, and they entered the par
lor together
Pike was there, of,course, and turned
to the door with his blandest smile as
he heard the sound of feet. In an in
slant his expression changed to the
sternest scowl and, turning to barnett,
he said; "What does this meanP Why
is this fellow here? Are you conspiring
in some trick upon me?''
"No; II didn't wish Mr.. Hartle1y
to =" began barnett.
"You hear that!" exclaimed Pike.
addressing Philip. leave the house,
sir! A discharged, characterless serv-
ant ought to be glad to skulk anywhere
out of his masters sight. Leave the
house. sir!"
"When skulk from you, you may
call me characterless, indeed" retorted
Philip. 81 am here by an older and
truer right than you possess. l am
here to protect the girl who has prom
Used to be my wife; and will do it. You
are coward; l tell you that to your
teeth
Darnett!" cried Pike, turning, with
his dark face livid with rage, to the
old man; do you countenance this fell
low? / know him to be the associate of
thieves and sharpers. Do you counte-
nance him in thisp"
"N-no," stammered barnett, fee
bly,. Il have told him already -
Then, by Jupiter" shouted Pike to
Philip, IF you do not stand aside and
allow Miss barnett free entrance will
horsewhip you out of the -"
He stopped with such abruptness
here, and glared so wildly into the hall
over Philips shoulder, that the latter
involuntarily glanced round also. Ma
rian stood close behind him, leaning on
the arm of a lady dressed in black,
whom he had seen in the further room,
and known as Mrs. Vallens.
When he had previously seen her a
black vail hid her face; this was now
lifted, and showed pale but set and COM
posed features, ''She is here" said this
lady; miss barnett is here. What have
you to say to her?"
Mr.. Pike, whom she had addressed,
turned to a paleness which was all the
more striking for its livid hue, and
grasped the back of q chair as if to
steady himself.
| sis that the man who has prosecuted
you, MarianP" continued the lady.
But need not ask; might have known
it. / might have known that there was
but one man in the world could be at
once so cruel and so mean. That man
stands there. That man is my hus-
band!"
An electric start shook each of her
listeners, save the principal, whose white
lips seemed trying, but unavailingly, to
shape some words.
: "You need no confirmation beyond his
} abject look" continued Mrs. Vallens;
''he will not deny it, you may be sure. -
IL thought you were dead,''
gasped Pike. II was assured of that,
Mr.. barnett, or would mott would
, not
g And he would sooner have beheld
any specter than have met me in life, "
said Mrs. Vallens as the other faltered.
She preserved the same cold, hard,
level tone in her speech, affording a
striking contrast to Mr.. Pike. "But
J there can be no discussion between us
Margaret At this summons the serv-
ant from Fernlow COTTAGE Appeared.