The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1884-03-08

qua.ntance with congenial spirit suf- |
heed to turn any of Thekla's favorites |
into great friendly "And / want YOU |
TO know her. Meanwhile, let me intro |
duce her brother"
The whole trio turned, and another of |
those slow, fascinating regards was be-
slowed upon Philip.
" MIR. Massey, Miss Fairfax, Miss Ma
belle Fairfax, old friends of ours, who |
have lust come to live in Irkford'
Philip bowed profoundly, slowly, pro.
longing the salutation in part because
he suddenly felt himself tongue-tied. |
Mabelle said nothing. but her cheek
dimpled. and there was smile in her
eyes. Miss Fairfax did speak, saying:
"l have seen both Mr. Massey and
his sister go past our lodgings several
times"
We'll, let us go and find his sister,"
said Thekla. shall we 60 into the
| drawing-room, or-oh, Mrs. Lee!n
She advanced to receive batch of
fresh arrivals, and Philip found himself
alone with the Misses Fairfax.
''Have you lost any more books since
| last saw youP" was the only thing
Philip could think of as an opening re-
mark
81, noH' said Mabelle, laughing. at
was Mr. Massey, Angela, who carried
my books for me that day-don't yot,
remember?"
al think" began Angela, when
Louise, the youngest daughter of the
house of Berghaus, came rushing up,
and claimed Mabelle with much iubila-
ton as her own. They vanished, and
Thekla was still receiving new arrivals
"Shall take you into the drawing,
roomP" asked Philip, Offering his arm
to Miss Fairfax.
A smile, melancholy, but very sweet,
crossed her face, as she said, raising
her eyes in an appealing manner which
led one to think How beautiful! and
how helpless"
Thanks, if you do not mind"
The answer, after the appealing look,
might have struck cavalier as some
what tame, but Philip only saw tho
magic of her eyes, and heard the pa
thetic softness of her voice.
They went into the drawinG-roon
which was half full of people.
''Do you know any one here?" asked
Philip.
mot a creature, except the Berg
hauses. | am perfect stranger in lrk'
ford.
"And what do you think of it?" h,
inquired again.
They were seated now on settee in i
corner. Miss Fairfax shook her head
with the same melancholy, bewilderinS
smile, and raised her eyes again slowly
as she said, with a sigh:
81 do not like it. l must try to 81.
accustomed to it, as it will most likely
be my home for the rest of my life, and
| have heard that it is not, wise to quar-
rel with ones bread and butter-or even
with one S dry crusts," she added in an
undertone.
"The rest of your life?" echoed
Philip, Immediately deciding that she
was engaged to some fellow whose bust
ness was at Irkford.
Why had he not thought before Of
such an obvious possibility?
Eyes; the rest of my life. After mis-
fortune such as 1 have gone through,
the merest shelter seems like palace,
and one clings to it. and fears to lose
it."
Philip looked at her with respectful
sympathy on hearing these mystic
words, his curiosity, his admiration and
, commiseration all on fire. He was
quite unconscious that he was gazing al
, Miss Fairfax in manner more intent
and prolonged than is usually thought
} desirable upon ten minutes acquaint-
ance. But how was it possible to help
: it, with the tones of that sweet and
melancholy voice echoing in his ears
with that beautiful, pale face, those
mysterious, dreamy eyes, and that pen
z sive, low white forehead constantly
turned toward him? Her voice, hel
5 looks. her very proximity exercised q
strange, sudden, subtle fascination ovel
5 him. more like intoXication-more like
! the effects of some potent drug--thar
r like the gradual drawing into intimacy
g friendship or love with some ordinary
mortal woman.
"Whatever may have happened in thu
> past, am sure you are not doomed t.
v live in Irkford all your life," he said
S though half an hour ago "doomed'
/ would not have occurred to him as the
S most appropriate word with which t.
e describe a residence in lrkford.
n Again the strange, melancholy smile
- slow shake of the head, and raising c
e the eyes.
e 1T does not bear talking about, ;
V said she. "Have they been dancin!
y long?"
il ''Only one dance, | think. May
: hope for the pleasure of dance, Mis-
! Fairfax, if you are not engagedP"
d 81 engaged! Who would be likel
h to engage mc?
S ANY one who got the chance,
/ should suppose" said Philip, stoutly
is - But may 1? l hope you like dancingP
}, "With pleasure. used to be pas
J. sionately fond of Waiting in days gon
Q by" said Angela.
"Then may have the next waltzP
n "With pleasure, repeated Miss FAN