The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-09-08


the depot, reaching it just in time.
1t was five o'clock of the same day,
and dismal Marcn afternoon. There
an hour ago, and the leadon sky prom
Used more to come; the straight road
which led into the little town was in a
horrible state to contemplate. A thin
yellow ooze of mud and water filled the
roadway, and the foot-path was scarcely
better.
Not creature was visible as far as
she could see, when Miss French came
out of the school-house and locked the
door behind her. She had staid to
make out her monthly report after dis
missing her pupils, and the early shades
were already gathering as she started
upon her walk to the village. Straight
on through wet and slop for there was
no avoiding the frequent mud puddles
in the path, until she came to the little
cemetery, turning there to make her
daily pilgrimage to that lonely grove
within.
Lonely and isolated still. Mrs.
Oliphant had been laid at rest beside
the husband whose name she bore. Lex
had come forward and insisted upon
bearing the expense of the funeral.
With all honors, therefore, dust had
been committed to dust, and q costly
monument was raised above the two
whom death had reunited.
Lex would have kept Dana if she
could. She used all her powers of per-
suasion to that end, but Dana would not
be persuaded. 1t was better to work;
better to drown grief in the weary tread
mill which left her no time for its in
diligence. so she had come back to
Riverton and taken up her task, and
life looked very long before her. lt.
1t need not have seemed either so
long or so lonely There was one who
was ready to take every burden upon
himself; that one, of course, Gordon
Marquis. 1t was of Gordon Marquis
that Dana was thinking as she stood
| under the weeping elms. She had a
little note from him in her pocket, the
merest line to tell her that he would be
in Riverton that evening, and perhaps
it was this fact as much as the monthly
report which had caused Dana to linger.
! There had been no recurrence of love
making on his part, she had hoped
there would be none, but thrill of COM
| ticipated the errand which was bringing
| him now.
81 ought to have told him." she MUIR
INJURED, half aloud.
Told him what?" asked voice at
her side. eff the person referred to
should by any chance be myself, sup
pose you tell him now.'
The sodden ground had deepened the
sound of his footsteps, but Gordon Mar
quis himself stood there, smiling rather
gravely into her startled face.
you have been standing here long
enough in this damp and chill" he
said, drawing his hand within her arm.
II watched you for fully five minutes,
and you were so absorbed in your own
thoughts you never knew / was near.
Of what were you thinking so intently,
Dana? OF what l once said to you
here? You must know, l think, that /
have come to repeat it, though perhaps
it is my duty to tell you
Gordon, don't. Be my friend still
if you can. More than that, you-no
one, can ever be.
"No onep" He stopped stock still,
looking down into her face. mot
Launt Harrington himself? Dana. is it
possible you can love him still?''
Three months ago, had he asked her
that question, she could not have an
swered it as she answered now, lifting
her eyes with an effort to meet her
glances.
81 love him still, shall love him
while | live. And he was not to blame
for leaving me, he could have done
nothing else. Shall L tell you why he
did, Gordonp don't want you to mis-
judge him." in wistful tone.
"Tell me. ~
He could have done nothing else. 1t
seemed incredible to Gordon, but even
his incredulity melted away as he lis
tened.
"She did not really-at least, not
wilfully-cause his fathers death, but
Launt believed it, and believing it, he
could do nothing else"
There was a little silence when she
paused. Darkness was falling fast, it
hid his face when he spoke again.
-" have great deal of faith in mis-
takes like that coming right in the end.
This will be no exception to the gen.
eral rule. l come to ask my greatest
happiness at your hands, Dana, but l
want you to believe that if / could lead
you directly to your happiness l would
Do it with all joy, and-and good wish
es for both of you"
They were drawing near her board
ing-place. He paused at the gate, and
took her hands.
1--WE will say goodbye here. Don't
forget, Dana, that / shall be glad when
your happiness comes. Once more,
goodbye"