The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-08-25

background OF the paneled walls and
heavy curtains.
Through the downfall and misery of
others her good fortune had come.
Lex was far from heartless; that organ
in her anatomy responded readily
enough To real misfortune, and she had
cried herself i'll for days together six
months ago, but it was not in her nature
10 grieve long. She had dried her tears
to accept the goods which the fates pro-
vided, and was enjoying them now to
the full. RKE III
She had found a distant relative-not
Miss Alicia Power, who had angled in
vain for the position take the place
of companion and chaperon, and was
beginning already in quiet way to see
something of the world for which she
had longed all her life. The companion
was not visible at the present moment.
She had hint that she was not wanted
this bright January afternoon, though
the mistress of the mansion expected a
visitor, who was ushered in promptly as
the clock struck two. t.e1llCff1 !
He had been there twice before since
she had come into possession, and Lex
was actually blushing as she went for
ward to meet him.
you have the virtue of promptness
at any rate, Mr.. Marquis; and always
thought yoG artists were the most unre-
liable class going" ltt ~
81 came directly from the station
here" There was gravity in his face.
an abstraction in his manner, which
augured i'll for Lexis hopes. She was
pnt en- f,o,nh "a, b1 N mo Cor ba
tanned them. When Mr.. Marquis paid
her his first visit he had an excuse
That portrait of Mr.. Oliphant had never
been finished, and he wanted photo
graph to assist his memory in the small
er details. The portrait was not fin
ished yet, and the artist had come again
without even pleading it as a pretext
Now, what was any young lady with u
fair share of natural vanity to suppose,
if not that her attractions were the
magnet which attracted his wandering
fancyp
Il came" he, continued, ''impelled by
what fear is a forlorn hope. hardly
need to ask, now that have seen you,
ifyou have had any word from Dams? ~
He made little pause before utter
ing the name. 1t was the first time that
he had mentioned it except incidental
ly. He had listened in evident sympa-
thy while Lex bemoaned her cousin S
strange action-for Lex was loyal
through all.
None" she answered, with a sigh.
"What has become of QuestP" r
"That is more than / know--more
than care to know and Lexis eyes
snapped with indignant fire. "He
tried to levy blackmail of me, and when
he failed spread the whole, miserable
story which would never have gone into
the papers but for that. 1t was too
badl | don't pity aunt Rose so much,
but it was different with Dana. She
hadn't done anything wrong, and I'd
give anything to find her. They took
me in when was poor and friendless,
and it is absolutely unkind of Dana to
hide away, as if | wouldn't be as gener-
Gus, now that it has come my turn. /
am growing out of all patience with her.
You know that l advertised, and what
makes me angry is that l haven't a
doubt but she has seen the advertise
ment a dozen times, and is too stiff
necked and proud to answer it"
1T was terrible blow to her." said
Gordon, gravely. "Mr. Oliphant' S
death and her mothers flight alone
were enough to crush her, and when
you add the humiliation caused by
Quests revelations and Harrington $
conduct, what wonder that she should
feel like hiding her head from all the
world. He has not been heard from, l
supposep'
The bitterness with which he asked it
was like revelation to Lex. She an
swered the question with negative
shake of the head; for one moment,
perhaps, she would not have liked to
trust her voice in words. Then
81 dare say we could find Dana readily
enough if we were to put detective on
her track" she said, "but l have been
afraid to do it afraid, lest she might be
with her mother. What would they do
with her if they should find herp"
A sudden gloom overshadowed his
countenance.
Il don't think that consideration need
trouble you. Miss Braxton, l know
can trust you. If Dana were with her
mother l would not be here. 1t is be-
cause l know where Mrs. Oliphant is
and that fear she has not much longer
to live that am most anxious to find
her daughter / have an idea that
Quest would know by this time, but il
would never do to let Quest into the
secret have just told you, nor any de-
tective for the same reason. could
find him by going to Riverton, to those
trustees, perhaps, but if l take that step,
Miss Braxton, must rely upon your
misleading him as to my object. He
must think that you are the one urging
me tO search for Dana -