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


massive mirrors.
eff ever saw fool in my life l see
one now. Don't you feel little
ashamed of yourself, my dear? Thought
he was in love with you, did youP 1t don't
appear to me you're a very good sub
ject to inspire the tender passion. Even
Quest couldn't get up the semblance
of it, much as he wanted your money.
Dana is more to him''--not meaning
Quest now-''than you ever will be to
any man, and you may as well make up
your mind to it. Lex Braxton, if you
are baby enough to cry about it, III
never forgive you" ~ '-. -'t'f'
She winked away the crystal drops
which were more of modification than
real heart pain. afel bsllnIuaHu
Mr.. Marquis returned to, New York
that evening. The next day he went to
Riverton to pursue his inquiries, and
found, as he had supposed, that the
trustees of Rodney Frances unclaimed
money could supply him with Quests
address. rfE slsm E3.l Gd
Brooklyn!'' he repeated with little
start. Mrs. Oliphant was there in lodg-
ings of his choosing. Could it be that
the lawyer was on his track. He dis
missed the apprehension after n mo-
ment's thought. 1t was only one of
those condolences which are always
happening. .,l g1.K . IL .H
He had an hour to spare while he
waited for his train, and walking along
the winding road which led beyond the
village, he paused~at the gate of the
little rural cemetery, all grown up with
somber frs and weeping elms, through
whose dropping branches came the
CLEAN of occasional tombstones, though
one-half of all there seemed to be neg
lected and oyergrown graves. ii Hl .io'
g. His would be of that lott mused
Gordon. g / wonder if could find itPp
The gate was unlocked. He went in
and wandered about the deserted paths.
The place was small, less than an acre
in extent He passed the well-kept
plots with the merest glance, to push
aside the briars from gray, sunken
headstones, where the Inscriptions were
half obliterated by moss and age, but
he did not find the name for which he
sought. He was on the point of turning
away at last. Off in one corner lay a
solitary grave which he had passed
without approaching. A broken shaft
a narrow path broken through the light
snow which covered the ground showed
that, though lost, the one who lay there
was not forgotten. AS Gordon paused
| for one last glance around, girlish
| figure fitted across his sight, directing
her course toward that isolated mound.
His heart gave sudden leap. He
had not seen her face, but the figure and
walk seemed too familiar to be mistak-
en-. He followed her. and his eyes fell
upon the tablet of the shaft. 1t had
| only a name with dates of birth and
| death, but it was the name for which
| he had looked in vain--that of Rodney
| France. A moment more and he was
standing opposite her, stretching out
| his hands to Rodney Frances daughter.
"Miss Oliphantl'' he exclaimed, II
have found you at last"
She lifted her eyes, so large and dark
in her thin, colorless face. In that first
moment he had time to note the change
which suffering had wrought in her.
II WONDER he thought, wrathfully,
''if it is for the scoundrel who deserted
her when she needed him most?"
81 have found you," he repeated,
holding the little, wasted hand she had
given him in an unconsciously tight
grasp. "And oh, my love; it will be
your fault if | ever leave you again.
1t had been no part of Mr.. Marquis
intention to make an avowal of love in
the very first breath but it broke from
him unawares. Dana colored painful
ly, and tried to draw away her hand;
her eyes fell upon the grave at her
feet.
do you know" she asked, "that
he was my father, and-a martyr?"
! - know. l know all that has been
said, and that brings me back to the
news l have for you. / did not mean
to speak of my own affairs so soon, of
the love have had for you since l knew
you first.
Il don't expect any answer yet. If
/ may hope that you will forget what
has gone in time, and learn to care for
me then, Twill be content. Don't speak,
please. There is something else to tell
you which you will be panied to hear.
1t is about your mother"
The wide eyes flashed up at him with
sudden terror in their depths.
Have they found her?"
He put that fear at rest and told her
what he had already told Lex,
CHANGING anxiously at his watch as he
concluded.
Il have barely time yet to make my
train, but l will wait for the later one if
you will accompany me-"
81 will 90, of course, Mr.. Marquis,
but how did you find mammal"
He colored, hesitated. Ell aided
| hon. To esnnnn y he nlunittad Mt LIST