The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-05-05

no sunfe niiliar word to her. "And
yoursp Through ual these wears your
face has haunted me always. but your
name never knew"
She hesitated moment, then turned
to him: .rff
"You never knew my name? Then
think of me still as you have thought of
me through all these years. she said,
a half smile lingering about her mouth,
but never lighting the great dark that
was shaded by some subtle sadness.
The look, the tone, transported Cara
dine beyond all remembrance of place
or circumstance into the unreal realm
of imagination in which his wish was
supreme ruler.
~ have thought of you always as my
life and my love-" he said, half con-
sciously, his dreamy, deep gray eyes
glowing upon her face. She blushed
suddenly, and then paled in an instant.
just then her former companion entered
the room.
Il am Leila Auvernay," she said,
hastily, land this is Cecil Wyndham,
my-my betrothed husband"
Not another word was said. As the
young man approached Carradine fell
back step and looked at the two. His
was a fair, handsome face, so little
marked as yet by time that it would be
hard for an Impractical eye to coniect-
ure with what lines the shaping char
acter would yet stamp it. Neverthe-
less, with one keen gaze Carradine es-
timated both present and future.
She said few low-spoken words to
her companion, who presently moved
toward Carradine, and addressed him;
81 have the honor of speaking to Mr..
Carradine, the painter of this pictureP"
Carradine bowed without speaking.
"Will you pardon me for asking if it
is fancy sketchP'' continued Mr..
Wyndham.
partly so, but suggested by the face
of a little girl" answered the artist.
"But the likeness is so very strik-
ing" muttered the young gentleman.
g l must have it at any rate. Of course,
you will part with it-at your own
priceP"
1.-The picture is not for sale," said
Carradine, quietly, still regarding the
young man with that cool, steady gaze
which had already caused him to betray
a hesitation, almost confusion, very I'M
like his usual easy confidence. He
seemed to have an instructive knowl-
edge that the artist was measuring
him, and to shrink from that measure
ment with unconscious dread.
Carradine saw Leila Auvernay once
more before she returned to her home
in a distant town. Then he took his
picture from the academy walls and
hung it in his studio, where his eyes
could find it whenever he looked away
from his work. For he did not give up
work; yet, among themselves, his
friends pronounced him an altered man,
and marveled what had caused so subtle
a difference. Always silent, he now
seemed to live in an ideal world of his
own; and, whatever he might occupy
himself with, there was that in his man
ner which appeared to imply that it was
only temporary diversion until the
coming of some event for which he was
waiting.
So passed half a year, at the end of
which there came letter to Carradine.
1t was very brief but it was enough to
assure him of that which he had been
almost unconsciously expecting.
The letter was from Leila Auvernay,
He went to her at once. She met him
with laughing light in her eyes such
as he had not seen there when she
stood in the gallery beside her betrothed
husband-a light which recalled the
merry child who had smiled down on
him so long ago.
''Mr. Carradine," she said, II told
q nrt11 hut
did not tell you how utterly it had been
swept away, am nothing better than
beggar. Will you take me as one of
your students, for charity's sakeP'
He looked searchingly into her smil-
ing face.
"And Mr.. Wyndham," he asked, in a
low voice.
She replied without so much as a
flush of emotion:
"Mr. Wyndham has gone with the
rest of my worldly possessions. Did L
not say that had lost everythingP You
see, Mr.. Carradine, that l am not of as
much worth as my picture"
The words as she said them did not
seem bitter. He took her hands.
Leila" he said, "does your loss
make you unhappy"
"Do 1 look SOP" she asked, gayly.
GAS for the marriage, it was my faith
er's wish, and to crafty his dying re-
quest L consented-before l knew my
own heart" Here a quick, vivid
color shot into her cheek, but she went
on: "There never was love on my side;
and on his-well, money is more than
love with some natures. do not wish
to blame him.
Carradine's grasp frightened on her
hands.
Leila" he said, "once your answer