The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-03-03


lowering DER the owers," Barby said.
while a dreamy look was in her eyes.
We were in the sitting-room when
she spoke, Fan, Barby and l; a room
bright with Barby's house. plants, Far s
worsteds and the cheerful fire. "Oh!
what a girl YOU are. Barby, to be always
saving odd things" said Fan, drawing
her knit shawl closer; IL am horribly
chilly and that great stretch of snow
makes me SILVER. What an idea, any
way, angels wingsr How did that
get into your headP"
Barby leaned up against the window
and looked out with half-closed eyes,
She seemed to speak partly to herself.
for her voice was very low: "Such
thoughts help me, some way" she
said; "may be angels whisper them.
| suppose, if it were not for our dull
hearing, we could really hear angels
wings rustic in this room, perhaps my
mother 81
Fan started and glanced hastily
around. "Oh, horrors Barby, what
ghostish talk; you make me dreadfully
nervous"
"Why. thought it was angelic talk,
Fam with little laugh and then
soberly 1.-The Bible says, you know:
The angel of the Lord encampeth
round about them that fear Him, and
delivereth them That thought quiets
my nery es in the most trying times"
thought of these words days after.
81 don't think you will live long,
Barby," Fan said, with puzzled look.
But with her quick, Jolly laugh, Barby
replied 81 won't die of nervous COM
plants, or fear OF ghosts, Fam"
But, Teddy, what are you doing? I
didn't think it possible for you to keep
still so long"
Trying to digest your spiritual talk;
didn't know but you would put on an
extra pair OF wings and try flying" l
said, grimly.
I'D prefer to try skating, and hum
BILE you little by getting ahead of your
fine, new skates"
"Oho! l am glad to see a little of
enrthly ambition remaining in you.
What will you bet, Barb, on the race"
/" L don't bet, SIR" said Barb, with a
reproving look, land if L did you
wOuldn' pay"
"Of course not" / replied, with
great self-importance, "the winner new
er pays"
Il shall beat you, Teddy Harrison"
she said, looking right into my eyes,
"just to spoil your self-conceit."
And establish your ownP" | asked,
lodging the quick, little brown hand as
she ran for cloak and cap.
We left Fan and her worsteds by the
fire. Fan seldom ska ed; she WASH
brave enough to skate, and she knew
she could not compare with Barby; be-
sides, she hated the cold, and could not
be out long at time.
The pa h was well beaten down to the
river, and we were soon exchanging
laughing words of greeting with the
merry skaters.
Then, buckling on our skates, we Cir
cled around few times, and then start
ed on the race.
We were to skate up the river, to a
point opposite an old dead tree standing
near the bank, then back to the starting
point.
Barbys cheeks were all aglow, and
with graceful wave of her fat, brown
hand she glided away. For awhile we
kept together, but teH / could not win.
Twice summoning all my strength, |
darted ahead; but in an instant she was
by my side, with sparkling eyes and fly
ing hair. tt
As we turned to 90 back, Barby gave
me little salute and said "Good-by,
Teddy" Then she fairly flew. Try
as | would and | did try never
quite caught up with her again. She
stood laughing as 1 circled up near the
bank. Lite Willie Brown sat there,
: vainly struggling with a refractory skate
strap; and as | anne up, he said pitifully
Let me take your knife, won't you,
Ted, long 'nough to fix this plaguey
, old skate" | drew it out and opened
the shining blade. "Be careful not to
| cut yourself, Willie,"' | said when 9
: cry from Barby rang out; "Oh! Teddy,
quick! Out of the wayn' And then
fell. | knew that my head was hurt
,, but felt there was something worse
than that. Il sopened my eyes and saw
BarDys face-so rosy minute ago
now white as death. A pool of blood
l on the ice; confused, frightened muir
muir of voices sounded in my ears; anC
l knew no more. Ned Brown told me
about it afterwa d. How. Harry Laws
l always blunderbuss, ran into me anC
made me fall with the opened knife il
my handt How she wonderful flow O
blood from a cash in my wrist made
; them know an artery had been severed
How Barby, With white cSmpfessed
Ms andgbloodless face was the only 600
9 one of them all.
! run for DR.. Emory, Dick Howard, >
3 she cried "Send him to Mr.. Harri
sons! / want the largest boys here t.
a carry Teddy home! One of you gc
Q ahead and tell his mother"
l "Barby don you think he will bleeC
3 to death?h said Ned.
"He won bleed to death, Me-