The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1884-04-26
CHAPTER XVIII.


Philip stayed his two days and two
nights Mt Mr.. Grey's, saw much hnc
company, and had several converse
tions with Lady Elizabeth, who was very
kind to him, and asked him to come and
see them again. From Calliards he
wrote to his mother. telling her he was
coming over to Foulhaven soon, and on
leaving Mr.. Grey's house he went back
to Irkford and the Office, and asked to
see Mr. Starkie in private. During his
wanderings about the fir plantations at
Calliards he had made up his mind
what TO do if the doing it were within
the realm of possibility.
The interview was granted at once,
and Mr.. Starkie began:
"Well, Massey, I'm glad to see you.
I suppose you want little. settling up
OF business matters, Ell? You have
been drawing your usual salary while
you were away, but of course you knew
there would be difference on your re-
turn. That check will make it right,
and for the future"
Philip had taken up the check and
looked at it.
"You are very good, sir. This is very
liberal, and am much obliged to you,
but''-and he did not pocket the check
with the joyful smile which Mr.. Starkie
was accustomed to see on such occa-
sions-" there is something else wished
to say, il you will allow rue"
''Say on. Are you not satisfied with
the checkP'
at is much more than is due to my
poor services. If | have really been of
any assistance to you'll"
"You have been of very real and ma
terial assistance, and you must not
think we labor under the impression
that a check can pay of debt like
that
''And you would not think me pre-
sumptuous if | venture to say that you
could far more than repay me in a diff
ferent way than by giving me checks or
money!"
Certainly! Anything, almost, in
reason. What is it you would like?"
II would like, if you have any other
expedition on hand like the one | have
Just returned from, that you should send
me out again-any where-I don't care
where, SO that it is far enough. "
"You wish to 60 away again?
should have thought"
Il know what you would have
thought, sir. and at one time | should
have been of the same opinion, but not
now. l want to get away j don't
care what the work is, nor where the
place Isl and if you told me to set of
tomorrow in search of green diamonds
or blue roses, or any thing, l should bt
delighted. Not tomorrow, perhaps,
but the day after"
"Well, there is such an affair-not tC
search for blue roses"
81 didn't mean that, sir; I've beer
looking for blue roses for some time,
and not found them. But | an
glad to hear you have any thing l coult
do" said Philip, a CLEAN OF pleasure
lighting his somber, haggard eyes
''Where may it be, and whatP"
at is not China this time, but Aus
tralia," said his chief; diamond rock
boring for coal. It's in"
"Ahr' said Philip, with still create
qualification apparent in his face
THAT sounds well, and it would be
longer affair than the other, sup
, pose?"
"Three years." replied Mr.. Starkie
gravely.
, Three years!' Philip echoed tn
! words. Three years alone, with on
, European comrade and few colonia
| workpeople; such, he gathered fror
Mr.. Starkie's remarks, was to be tn
! arrangement. Three years away fror
: friends and home, with precariou
chances of sending or receiving news
: Three years safe-.three years in whic
he must be away. All the better, h
: said roughly within himself; what ha
n he to stay at home for? Who woul
I ever want to stay vegetating in Englan
: who could go away like this? II
q cheek. which had grown somewhat no
: low during the last few days, flushed
q and his eyes frightened again rs /
o. looked up to Mr.. Starkie.
S IF YOU only consider me trus
l. worthy, and will give me the chance,
$ said he, II would rather have it than
t thousand pounds. | am in earnest, 81
IS | am, indeed. would give more tina
n l can tell you if you would let me hay
my way in this
g II see you are in earnest reptile
1t the other, gravely. ''You need n,
o look so excited. You shall have IL
d job, and if there is any one you al
o anxious to see, goat once and see then
l for you will have to be off in about
3, week
\, "Must I? That's good" said Phili
a rising and Strengthening himself with
10 feverish, repressed kind of sig
L "Then I'll go to Foulhaven to-da
ot and return here at the end of the wee
1T shall IP''
4, well, the beginning of next we,
r would do There's no such despera
Y, hurry as that"
ID Very we'll. Say next Monday
'r said Philip.