The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-04-07

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why, so do 1. For example, l don't
than Edith anywhere" "Ohor' 1
cried, "her name is Edith, isitp" Blu
dell blushed, but couldn't deny it; and
l dare say he would have revealed her
surname also had pressed him.
August brought me an invitation from
viii Carlyon to spend a fortnight at his
fathers place in Scotland, and have a
shot at the grouse. "rve asked Marby,
Smithers and Budell," he wrote, land
| expect them all. I know you four
have frightful hains-and-slavery no.
tions about matrimonv; but there are lots
and if you don't all 90 home with the |
Benedicts / shall be surprised. Anyhow, |
we have plenty of birds"
When l arrived l found the house full |
of pleasant men and agreeable girls;
while the grouse gave very fair sport. |
The club was there in full force. Budell |
was in tolerable spirits, and came out
in grand style as master of the cere- |
monies, and as the originator of all
sorts of amusements. He was too busy
to infict any more condolences, but
udu uO ItdSOn W SUPPOSE llllJ uc lldu
yet accomplished his proposal.
One afternoon heavy rain-storm had
driven the sportsmen in sooner than
usual; / was examining my breech-
loader in the gun-room when Smitbers
mysteriously requested me to come to
the smoking-room at once. There l
found Budell and Marby. Smithers
had convened the club, and we had the
| - III II,
planned his object. 'Ihave an announce
ment to make" he said, "similar to
one made by Budell not long since.
I'm going to follow his example, and
hereby invite you all to the wedding.
Like Budell, haven't yet put the final
question, but l am not afraid of the an
swer. have no objection to tell you
that the young lady is at present in this
house. and that her name is Miss Max
we'll"
GOOD heavensr' calculated Budell.
"Well," said Marby, 81 may as well
take this opportunity of informing the
club that /, too, am going to follow suit.
Only I've taken the precaution to speak
to the young lady first, and Fanny
Carlyon is shortly going to become Mrs.
Marby."
was thunderstruck. "In that case"
1 said, with dignity, as 1 strobe from
the room, 81 am now the only member
of the Square Club" .......
Just as was tying my necktie few
minutes before dinner, and rejecting
that, though nervousness, want of leis-
ure and even blighted affections might
be got over, at least had a reason that
; would preserve me from matrimony,
Budell hurried into my room.
"Look here" he said, "rm "a the
deuce of box! Smithers is going to
propose to Miss Maxwell; and hang it,,
that's Edithr' ...
What! you're both in love with Miss
MAXWELL"
, Eyes, and that forward beast, Smith
J ers, will be sure to propose right off;
: and I've neverhad a good opportunity. p"
5 my dear Budell, you must make
your opportunity. Do it tonight"
a "To-nightP Why, it's dinner-time
t already! and after dinner we're to have
n these blessed tableattr UiUantS; and good
e ness knows what Smithers will do while
Y I'm looking after the wretched affairs
i And then tomorrow, I've promised
> Carlyon to start for the east moor al
;; nine o'clock."
a 1 endeavored to comfort him by sug
It costing that possibly Miss Maxwell
It might refuse Smithers; but Budell shud
d dered at the possibility of being fore
r stalled. He was palpably upset, ant
e he looked nervous and anxious all din
r. ner-time. The company generally at
S tributed it to theatrical responsibility
: but they were wrong; Budell was too
it old hand to be anxious about any
g thing so simple as tableGur viUantS
e Smithers, on the other hand, had Sc
l. cured seat beside Miss Maxwell, ant
seemed to be making himself vastl.
e agreeable.
r The tableaur began Immediately afte
c dinner, and they were great success
Budel had skilfully arranged them
a without attempting to make them int
k a series; and music, supposed to be ap
II propriate or to have some reference t
each tableau, was played while the cul
y tain was up. Curiously enough, in tn
it second last tabledU, Miss Maxwell
1t Smithers and Budell were to appear b
10 themselves; and still more curiousl
ID the subject of it was 9Th
~ Rivals" Where Budell had got
S, 1 don't know; probably in hi
s. inner consciousness. 1t was suppose
y to be woodland scene in the paint
and-powder days. A young lady wa
ii discovered seated on a bank, with
lover kneeling at her feet, and holdin
he one of her hands. At little distance
ID and unseen by either of the lovers, wa
10 a rival glaring from among the trees
to the unsuspecting pair. The tablea
We was very effective. Miss Maxwe
ct looked very charming in her costume