The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-09-22

Wright to come out to the farm and see
the boy, she shall call upon your
friends and bring another dress for you,
or | can lend you one, whichever you
please
"But your bonnet Is spoiled" said
the girl, through her tears; land such
a beautiful bonnet, toor' Then remem-
bering that question had been asked
or implied, continued: 81 should feel
glad II you could send word; and yet it
would frigh.en my mother so muchl
No, | had better go home. i live in
Bithfield, in the Lower Down Road; my
name is Darnett-Marian BARNETT
and"
II know you, Miss Darnett," inter-
rupted her companion, with quiet
smile, although you, perhaps, do not
know me; and as we are now close to
my house, we had better go in and de-
eide upon our plans"
This was the beginning of an in
timacy between the recluse proprie-
tress of Fernlow 6ottage and Miss
Marian barnett, two beings as OPP
posite in their appearance and, one
would have supposed, in their tastes,
as could easily be found. For Marian
was rather shy and timid, yet frank
and careful withal. She had heard,
too, by local gossip, of Mrs. Vallens,
and held her in the same dislike, al
most dread, as did most of her neigh
bors. She found, however, that while
Mrs. Vallens still held the same repel-
lent front to all others, she was so kind
and gentle to her, and welcomed her
so cheerfully to her home-though
never could she be induced to return
the visit-that Marian felt sure she
had been secretly pining for COM
panionship, and was thankful for the
chance which threw them together.
Solitary and secluded as had been her
residence at Fernlow Cottage, Mrs. Val
lens must have exercised the proverb-
ial quickness of woman's observation;
for Marian soon found-greatly to her
confusion at first-that this lady was
fully acquainted with her intimacy
with certain good-looking young fell
low, Phil Hartleby, clerk in the ship
ping and general mercantile firm of
More, Keelby q Co., one of the prin-
cipal houses in Sandsmouth. When
Mrs. Vallens had shown how far her
knowledge extended, and her kindly
manner had won Marian's confidence,
she was evidently pleased to lead the
latter to speak freely and to receive
the little condolences the girl had to
impart
Having commenced our story, as it
were, in the middle, we are debarred
from making the usual detailed explana-
tons in regard to the positions and an
tecedents of our characters; for this the
reader should be thankful. We shall
merely say, in reference to Marian $
friends, that they were in a respectable,
although not extensive way of business
in the town, living, as being cheaper
and pleaSanter, in the suburbs. OF Mr..
Philip Hartleby, Mrs. Vallens had a
pretty accurate knowledge. He was
the son of a surgeon who had owned
one of the best practices in Sandsmouth,
but he-the surgeon-was an easy
going, careless fellow, clever enough in
his profession, but not in much else be-
sides; so, when he died, at the age of
forty or So his only son found himself
with no profession and no property.
He was, however, n clever, energetic
young fellow, by no means disposed to
eat the bread of idleness. Having, by
|
in the house of More, Keelby & Co., he
worked with such will that he soon
obtained promotion, and was now looked
upon as the most rising man in the es-
Enlistment.
The proprietress of Fernlow Cottage
encouraged Marian to speak of the
young man, and took pleasure in her
little history. Prosaic and common
place as such history would have
seemed to many, yet there is halo OF
romance inseparable from the plainest
love-story, which is dear to woman,
even when she is reserved and hermit
like, as was Mrs. Vallens. Not that
Marian would now ever allow that there
was anything in the least degree
harsh or repellant in the temperament
of her new friend. 1t was only man.
Ter, the young lady contended-the
effect, she was certain, of some early
sorrow. Perhaps, Marian used to think
and sometimes say to Philip, perhaps
she had once loved as they loved, ant
had been less happy; thus, in her turn
weaving something of romance about
the lady.
One evening, some months after the
incidents just related, when spring haC
grown to summer, and summer wa,
fading into autumn, Phil Hartleby called
at Mr.. Darnett's house, in the Lower
Down Road. This was no unusual cir
cumstance with him; but on this par
ticular evening he was to take Marian
to a school-room hard by, where was t.
be held a rehearsal for certain loca
concert, at which the young lady wa'
to sing She had a voice at once swee
and powerful, and which had been wei