The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1884-03-29

Z
who waited upon Mr. Starkie inquired:
1" Is Mr. Massey herep'
He is, replied Philip.
&c Mr.. Starkie wants to speak to you
at once, please
Philip rose, lttlO surprised at the
unusual summons, and in a few mo-
ments found himself standing in Mr..
Starkie's private room, alone with that
gentleman.
You sent for me. sir?"
"Ah, Massey-yes, | want you"
In his hand he held telegram, as
once before when he had wanted Philip
he had held Il letter There were signs
of grave disturbance on his face. Philip
stood waiting in silence while Mr..
Starkie read the telegram again. and
then, turning to him, said:
"Bywell-you remember making in
quiries for me about Bvwell?n
Perfectly well, sir"
"Bywell has turned out much worse
than 3 expected. He has made off
with a lot of our money, and left the
bridge, nearly finished, and all his
work-people, to any fate that may
overtake them-in fact there's the dick
ems to pay, and that's all about it,
| Eyes, sir"
us that all you have to say about
| it?"
81 don't know of anything else, at the
moment"
"Ha, ha! Well, what you have to
do is to set off at once, in Bywell's
| place, without losing an hour. From
Y you will report to me. If you
hear, or find out anything giving the
! lnact |,
rest | shall put into the hands of the po-
lice, but the main thing is to send a sub
stitute for him. Do YOU understand
THAT | am to set Off Mt once for
- said Philip, deliberately.
"Just So"
And remain until your contract is
performed-and then come homep'
Exactly"
about how long shall l be out?''
Perhaps six months, perhaps eight.
1t might be a year"
at might be a year." repeated Philip,
passing his hand over his brow.
1t might. l don't say it will Well
you don't wish to shirk it, do you?"
Far from it. | am ready to 90 i'm
mediately, but-eXcuse my putting such
a question, sir. 1t is not from grecdi-
ness, or graspingness, | assure you, but
because it is n matter of something like
life and death to me. If succeed to
your satisfaction, and return safe and
sound, will my position shall /"
"Will your position be improved? 1t
all depends upon how you conduct
yourself. If very well, it will be i'm
proved very considerably. l can not
say more.
"TLank you sir. l felt sure it was
SO. | only wished to hear it from
yourself. And now, l am ready any
moment"
So he was, perfectly ready There
are few pleasanter things than to see a
man, young, strong, honest and honor
able, ready to do what he is told intel
ligently, not servilely, about to enter
upon an expedition of much response
bility, and not without considerable
risk, at moments notice; not dis
mayed, but not over-coniident; self-pos-
sessed, but mod st, and not under the
impression that he was going to do
something surprising everything that
any one else had ever done before.
A conversation took place between
Philip and his chief-not long, but con-
centrated-in which Mr. Starkie ex-
planned his position, and Philip took it
in, receiving also instructions and Gre
dentials. There was an express from
Irkford to London ut eight O'clock. 1t
was then nearly five. He had three
hours in which to purchase what was
; absolutely necessary for his sudden eX-
, petition, go home, take leave of his
sister, land your friends as Mr..
Starkie remarked, in a general way
write to absent or distant friends, pack
up his belongings, and be at the station
in time for the London express.
He left the room, alter shaking hands
with Mr.. Starkie, with the brief words
"You may depend on me, sir to do the
, best have it in me to do for YOU"
: THAT is enough" was the reply, and
, Philip found himself again in the outer
. office, which he had left scarce a quar-.
ter of an hour before, at the pages sum
, mons. The rest of them were still
. seated there, and one or two looked UP
as Philip came in.
, "Well, Massey, what did he wantl
. ANYTHING about tonight? Did he ask
I you to bring some comic sOngs?"
A stihed burst of laughter greeted this
t suggestion. Comic songs were not Mr..
D Massey's strong point. He answered
e nothing to their suggestions, but said:
: "What bosh!' Good bye, all of you
I I'm off to make acquain lance with the
4 heather Chinee."
What" came in large capitals from
all parts of the room; but Philip had
: no time to explain, He shook hands
with few friends, and hurried away
with general goodbye to the others
A hasty visit to a large outfitting
shop, where he explained his needs
. and received a promise that what h,
. wanted should be packed and sent t.
y meet his train to London, and then, il
+ a dream, strange, unnatural trance