The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-07-14
CHAPTER XII.
NOTHING SHALL PART U.s."


Through the brassy splendor of the
afternoon sunshine, through dust and
heat, over a grassy common, into the
green GOODNESS of overshadowing trees,
Mr.. Quest made his way from the vii
lage station, straight almost as the crow
flies, to the pleasant abode where he had
been summoned to attend.
1t was roomy cottage, quite lost in
tangle of green. through which one
caught a glimpse of the gold and Grim
son FLASHES of rioting roses, the SHIN
mer of a fountain playing in the sun,
the white CLEAN of the graveled drive
way, and perhaps the waving of sum-
mer drapery at the open windows or
in the low porches which surrounded
the house. .-,
"a deadly quiet, dull place." was
Mr.. Quests inward comment as he
turned in at the gate. 1t may suit
Mrs. Oliphant for reasons she best
knows, and anything that pleases her
will please her husband; it don't mat
ter to her daughter, who is in love, and
has her lover with her; but | doubt if
it is the sort of life the fair Alexia is
! signing for. ~
The fair Alexia" was lettering dis
contentedly in the grounds when he
came out, two hours afterward, from
his interview with Mr. Oliphant.
She was dressed in some wonderful
combination of Swiss ruffles and en-
broidery; the abundant mass of black
hair was disposed in the latest approved
style of waves and braids; the milk-and-
rose face held its brightest color, and,
in short, Miss BraXton made a vivid
picture of well-dressed young lady
hood, who should have been dazzling
some gas lit scene instead of wasting
her sweetness in the shadowy recesses
| OF lonely garden, with no one to see
her but fourth-rate lawyer of uncer-
tain years.
She took a step forward, neverthe-
less, frightening visibly.
1T is good to see even you," she de-
clared, frankly, if not hatteringly.
"Why don't you make the best of your
opportunity and stay with Uncle Power
as his secretary or agent or whatever
he wants, instead of starting off on such
wild-goose chase as that you were
speaking OPP
"Stay, to let you practice flirting
with me when nobody better offers? Is
that the idea you have in your mind,
Miss Braxton?n
"What n sharp little fellow he is to
find it out" said Lex, composedly.
That's it, exactly, Harmon. A little
Irritation won't do you any harm and
it would amuse me. 1t was bad enough
in Philadelphia, but it's worse here.
Uncle and Aunt Ohphant exist in each
other, Dana lives in the light of Mr..
harrington S smiles, and am left out in
the cold-driven SO desperate that you
would be relief. I've set my hopes
on you ever since l heard Uncle Power
say he thought of getting you to fetch
and carry between this and town:
What's the use of having pretty dresses
and wearing them if no one ever comes
to admire me in themP'
Something like a CLEAN of inspiration
flashed swiftly into Harmon Quests
eyes.
You are mistaken in one thing" he
said, in low tone. II would be liable
to infinite harm. l would admire YOU
too much for my own good if l were to
see you often. Your amusement would
be my madness. And yet, Alexia--''
A peal of laughter from Alexia cut
short his words.
"Oh, my goodnessr' she gasped.
"Do stop! Harmon. | didn't think YOU
would take me quite SO literally at my
word. You do it capitally, but 1 really