The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-05-19
which grew suddenly red as she looked

40 Philiplr she cried, jumping down
and catching his hand with a nervous
sob and laugh. 'Such a good day as
this has beenl Mr. Nixon has not scold-
ed since morning, and ! have made two
sales, and now you are come!'
\ 1850 Nixon was seoldmg you, was be Z
said Philip, his face darkening. a"1'he
scoundrelI To think that you must
submit to che tyranny of rafiiarN like
him, and can do nothingr'
"Hush-hr' She glanced in terror at
the half-open door. ''He is at supperin
the back room. Don't offend him, Phil
ip, or he would discharge me, and then
what should doP 1t is impossible for
girls to get work in the city now, and l
must live"
"Yes, and you must earn your own
living" he said, bitterly. If 1 were
half man would have been able to
marry before now. It's ten years since
you promised to marry me, Susy; do
you remember? You were a little
freckled tot then, munching candy, and
1 lubberly farm-boy. But 1 deter
mined to make you my wife, and keep
you from all trouble, though slow
enough I've been about itr'
"You have done more than any other
man ever did!'' cried Susie, holly. "You
have educated yourself; earned your
profession
profession! I'm beginning to think
Frazier is right, and that had better
be a hod-carrier than doctor. Then
at least would be sure of work and
wages; but now, when / leave the hos
pital next month, where am to go? 1t
may be years before l can earn enough
to keep us from starving, if we should
marry
"Never mind'' said Susy, laughing.
though her blue eyes were wet with tears.
What are yearsP We are very young,
Philip"
"Frazier is going to try something
else."
"And will youp"
Wharton hesitated, and then that de-
termined look came into his face which
Susy knew so well.
mo! I'll stick at it. never have
given up anything until 1 did it, and III
not begin now! But you-you must
help me to keep up heart, Susy," and
with long breath he took both her
hands in his.
"Why, there's no reason why we
should give up heart!" she said, with a
cheerful laugh. 'Go now; there is
Nixon coming. He does not like to see
you here"
'No," said Philip; "he is afraid he
will lose his clerk! He'll not find an
other that he can grind as much work
from on starvation wages"
$50! go!' She pushed him to the
door, still laughing; but when he was
gone she dropped her head on the
ledger and sobbed.
Susy was an orphan. She had no
friends in the world but this man, who
had loved her since she was child.
She had more courage and energy,
probably, than he; but the life of the
girl in Nixon's shop was almost intoler-
able, and she was very lonely and tired
If DR.. Wharton was moody and de-
spairing the next day his patients did not
know it. He never had been more gen.
tie or untiring in his care of them.
They were all poor, for the hospital was
a city charity. But the more heavily
his own trouble pressed on him the
more tender to these wretched paupers
he grew.
He was busted all the morning with
one old countryman, who had fallen in
the street from his horse, and been car
ried in insensible. DR.. Frazier found
him beside the old mans cot early in
the afternoon.
Frazier had been absent nearly all
day. His face was flushed and his eyes
burning with excitement. He beckoned
Philip aside.
There's chance! It's something
bign' he whispered, excitedly. "Call
Poor to take your ward this afternoon
and come with me. He's going to take
mine"
81 can't give up my ward to Poor.
He's blunderer, said Wharton, gruff-
ly. "You may, if you choose"
"No need to snub me, Phil, when I'm
trying to do you a service. You said
the other day you had saved couple OF
hundred dollars"
Eyes; that's my capital to begin the
world with in September"
"Well, Frank my brother, you
know-has just had private informa-
ton of great e, pected rise in the OAR
ling Silver Mine stock. He'll let you
and me into the chance. Wen 60
down with him to the Stock Exchange
and buy up all the shares we can"
81 can't leave my ward to Poor" he
said. "There is no patient in danger
but this man. But he is in very crit
ical condition. l won't leave him."
"Nonsense! What can a couple of
hours matter? 1t is a chance which
may never come to you again. It's a
dead sure thing, tell you"
Wharton shook his head.
"Listen to reason, Phil. You may
| clear enOuoh hV this venture 10 make n