The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-09-22
OUR NEW MANAGER
From Chambers Journal.i
CHAPTER I.


A short half-hour's walk from Sands
mouth-a large seaport on the South
.ern English coast-lies the secluded
village of Bithfeld. 1t is but small
place, and may fairly be described as
secluded; for although so near large
town, yet, lying on cross-road be-
tween two other roads-which them
selves were never of great importance,
and are now shorn even of that by the
railways-B ithfeldseems to have grown
lonelier and quieter than ever.
A little outside of the village, and be-
tween it and the town, stood Fernlow
Cottage, the residence of Mrs. Vallens.
This at least was the title by which she
was known to the few persons-her
tradesmen chiefy-who had occasion to
speak of her; but it was given principal
ly on account of her mature age, for she
was past middle life, and as a sort of
compliment, rather than as implying
the existence, past or present. of MIR.
Vallens. She lived retired, solitary
life, and was so reserved in her manner
as to repel the few residents of Bithfield
who had sought her acquaintance. So
reserved was she, that no foot save that
of her own servants crossed her thresh-
old month after month; but at the
opening of our story an incident oc-
Cured which changed is monotony in
some degree.
When Mrs. Vallens walked out she
usually selected the least-frequented
paths, and with her deep double vail
screening her face her features were al
most invisible to the few persons whom
she encountered. One afternoon she
was following a by-path which led across
some fields to farmhouse and cot
tages, when she came suddenly upon a
spectacle which startled her. At the
foot of large tree knelt girl of some
eighteen or nineteen years, supporting
boy, mere child, clad in the COM
monest rustic garb of the neighborhood.
He was evidently insensible; and as the
dress of the girl was stained with blood,
and the face of the boy was also marked,
it was clear that he had received some
injury.
The girl was holding small scent
bottle to his nostrils, and on hearing a
step looked up. ''Oh, am so glad some
one has GOMEZ she exclaimed. II saw
this poor little fellow fall from this tree;
and when came up his forehead was
covered with blood, and he was quite
.senseless. What can we dop"
The mysterious lady of Fernlow Cot
tage Immediately dropped on one knee
by the side of the nurse and her patient;
then, with dexterous and gentle touch,
examined into the injuries the boy had
sustained. HE is not very seriously
hurt, think" she said; sand if you
will hold him until bring some water
there is spring just here-he will re,
cover. You are not afraidp"
"N-no," said the girl. "It is very
dreadful to look at all this blood, and to
see him looking like death; but I will
hold him."
Without another word, the elder lady
disappeared, but returned almost inn
mediately with her bonnet filled with
water--greatly to he younger lady's
horrors for she, after the manner OF
her sex, had noted the costly materials
of which the article was composed. The
water was sprinkled over the boys
face. He almost immediately sighed
and opened his eyes. The elder lady
drew out her handkerchief, with which
she bathed his brow and washed away
the clotted blood, then bound it careful
ly round an ugly cut which this process
had rendered plainly visible.
BY this time the lad could speak
then with an effort he stood upright
and was able to explain that he liveC
in one of the cottages by the farm
house; that he had been bird-nesting
The rest the ladies knew more abou
than himself. BY their assistance tn,
lad was enabled to walk slowly towart
the farmhouse, until the party met {
laborer who knew him and kindly tool
him in charge.
Relieved of this care, the younger
nurse had an opportunity to contem
plate and bewail the really insight,
blotches on her light-colored dress, th'
beholding of which, or the reaction
natural after her excitement, affected
her TO tears. which had in them ;
strong suspicion of Mysteries.
"Come TO my house, my dear child,
said Mrs Vallens, speaking with ;
softness and tenderness for which few
OF her neighbors would have given be