The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-07-28

ways ulLnHlSneu DHs lclllnS III, my uear
lady, and Il am not ready at mo-
ment's notice to put valuation on
yours" aa'. Il 'v
Then you mean to betray mel''
She said il quietly, bur with sunalter-
BILE conviction, unutterable despair.
Mrs. iOliphant, do mean to betray
you. Not to-day, however. Not even
tomorrow, perhaps, or for many to-
morrows. That depends" ---'
The whole aspect of the man changed
as he spoke. The consciousness of
power, of triumph, broke into his look.
All his life he had found it hard
struggle to keep even with the world.
He had his ambition, and he had been
thwarted so often that he had lost faith
in himself, and now the hour of his tri-
umph had come.
That depends, " he repeated every
man has his weakness, and have mine.
1t is the weakness of wanting to be, once
in way, hand-in-glove with the upper
ernst. l will probably never have a
better opportunity than this. Your
husband once offered me a position in
his household, Mrs. Oliphant, / believe
at your instigation. Let him offer it
again with this difference, that | shall
stay, not as employee, but az guest"
There was no time for her to answer.
The door opened and her husband en-
tered, starting little to find her there.
Rose, is this wise? Had YOU not
better retire while l settle with the
man?'
She lifted her eyes, wistful and plead
ing, to his face.
LET me stay, Power" H|
" As you will. Quest, what success
had you in your searchgp
The best of success, Mr.. Oliphant. "
81 can readily believe that" broke
from the other, bitterly. you have us
at your mercy. All have to say is,
name your price,
''For what, may / askP'
For keeping our secret inviolate. ~
(Which secret, sir?"
81 was not aware that there was more
than one. Good heavens, man, if YOU
have learned what l suspect you have,
out with it. Have you or have you not
discovered the person you were in
search of-Rodney Frances child?n
Il have discovered her in your
adopted daughter l have discovered
more than that"
There was world of meaning in the
quiet words, world of meaning in the
look which he turned full upon Mrs.
Oliphant; world of meaning which
her husband was quick to see and resent.
4" You have discovered nothing re-
garding my wife which do not know, -
he declared, sternly. 81 have neither
the time and the inclination to enter
into explanations now, but | am ready
to pay you well for keeping secret the
discoveries you have made. Once more
| ask you what is your price. That sum
in bank was originally $4,000, l be-
lieve, and of the whole amount YOU
could hope TO receive but meager per-
centage from the trustees who have it
in charge, for doing them the doubtful
service of producing the heir. l will
give you $4,000 to keep silence-S20,-
900 you will swear never to betray the
knowledge you hold"
Twenty thousand dollars! The
blood in Hartman Quests tishy veins
was thrilled. ssas.-sea.s.g,s-ss
II accept, of course" he replied.
1.-The offer is too tempting to refuse
Your check for 500, 900 and an invita-
ton to dinner, Mr.. Oliphant, and |
promise you everything you may choose
to ask. y ~ ~ "a - n e.
Everything he might choose to ask!
Rose turned away with sinking heart.
What her husband might ask would
never include the danger which men,
aced her.