The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-11-03

ernesses complained of their charges.
Margaret, who had an almost magic
influence over children herself, main
tanned the very reverse, saying that
of course there were ways and ways of
treating them, but that adopt what
way you pleased, they were trouble,
and always would be. They did not
pause now TO have one of their dis
cuss;ons on this topic; but Mrs. Pierce
shock her head. and wondered how it
was that Miss Percival could not always
look like that.
Supper was over. Mr.. Biddulph had
taken Margaret, having managed his
tactics in such a manner that she could
not refuse to go with him when he
asked her. Margaret was off her guard
tonight. The idea which had flashed
into her mind while Miss Percival had
been with her had never left it since.
1t possessed all her thoughts and made
her very absent. Already her scheme
was ripcning and she had arranged a
thousand details in her mind She
hardly noticed Mr.. Biddulph's manner
to her; she had almost forgotten that
Laura wanted her to be married to him
"a wish for which she could not quite
pardon her cousin.
The supper was quite success. AT
one moment, indeed, Mrs Pierce,
though quite happy as to the cham
payne, found herself much perturbed in
mind as to an accident which almost
happened Margaret's health was
drank; Mr.. Pierce got up and made n
little speech-a better speech than Mar
garet had expected, in which he care
fully suppressed all mention of the
trouble she had given him, and spoke
only of her good points. Margaret felt
grateful. 1t was now that Mrs. Pierce
suddenly remembered that she had
forgotten" to arrange for some one to
reply to this speech, but after being a
moment disconnected. she thought She
saw her way to an interesting develop
ment of the situation, and telegraphed
to Mr.. Biddulph to make the reply. He
would willingly have risen to the occa-
sion, but Margaret suddenly becoming
aware of what was being agitated, said,
composedly:
mo, Mr.. Biddulph do not trouble
yourself. Tom and have arranged it
all, and he has got beautiful speech
off by heart and is going to deliver it
now"
And, indeed, to Biddulph's extreme
annoyance, and Mrs. PIerce's horror,
Master Tom was perceived on his legs,
glIbiy repeating an Grafton which was
at least amusing, and at the end of
which, winking visibly at Margaret,
who was utterly unprepared for his TAX
ING the peroration into his own hands,
he announced that his father had for
gotten just one thing in his speech, and
that was, TO request the company, on
filling their glasses, to rise and give:
For she's a Jolly good fellow, that no.
body can deny" II assure you, ladies
and gentlemen, that l know it from
experience to be true" he added, sol
EMMY; land now, having exhausted
the subject, will resume my seat, -
which he did, amidst loud and prolonged
cheering.
Supper over, Margaret found herself,
she hardly knew how, arm-in-arm with
Mr.. Biddulph in the large, marble.
paved hall, near the open door. Mrs
Pierce usually devoted her conservatory
to loungers and flirters, and it was full
of them now. But Mr. Biddulph had
no desire to form one of that crowd; al
! least it would seem not, for he said tC
Margaret:
Shall we 90 into the garden? It,
deliciously warm-as warm as June
See! Ii l put this little shawl over YOU
shoulders -"
eyes, that is good idea," said Mar
garet, dreamily, as they stepped out o.
the house into the garden, which was
partially illuminated by some Chinese
lanterns, and they wandered to another
side of the building, where there was 6
short terrace of well-rolled, dry gravel
atfording a solitary promenade. The
air was, as. he had said, balmy. The
night was fair. Though they were
close to the great thoroughfare, it wa:
so late that traffic had quite ceased. The
last omnibus had, hours ago, rumbleC
past. Nothing but, now and then
some belated foot passenger, or {
smoothly-running brougham returning
from some similar party, disturbed the
quietness of the night. That, and tn,
sounds of music from the ballroom; tn,
melancholy wailing SchmucbtSc0H ton,
of some German waltz, rising and fall
ing in measured cadences, and waited
to them by fits and starts. Margaret
excited by her thoughts, and uncon
sciously by the music and the dancin!
as well, walked along, .humming tn
air AT last she said, almost abruptly
"How do you like Miss Percival, Mr.
Biddulph? think she is charming"
$50 do l." he replied; Il wonder
never noticed her before"
This is promising" was Margaret
thought; while Biddulph mental,
wondered why on earth Miss Percival'
name should be dragged into the con
versation He want.d to speak O