The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1884-01-05
CHAPTER XVI.
HARD HIT"

"A gentleman, ma am, to see you.
CHAPTER XVI.
HARD HIT"
Margaret looked up slowly at first,
and found that while her eyes had been
closed darkness had come on, but the
freight was still bright, and glowed
upon tall figure, handsome face,
good, handsome and honest; it shone
into pair of dark eyes which scruti-
nized her very earnestly; it showed her,
in short, the figure of John Mallabarr,
of whom she had been at that moment
thinking.
"Mr. Mallabarr!' she exclaimed, ris-
ing to her feet.
He came forward, holding out his
hand, and saying:
"Yes, it is /. You did not expect to
see me?''
She tried to say: mo, but am very
glad to do so," but she could not, and
he did not seem to expect any such as
surance.
He laid down his hat and stood on
the hearthrug, looking at her silently.
Margaret perceived a great change in
him. Her heart sank, with dismal
foreboding of what was coming. She
was soft-hearted, and hated to hurt
or wound any creature. The idea of
having to put so noble creature as this
to a mortal pain of the supremest kind,
thrilled her with anguish, even in an
ticipation. She had never seen
him. look as well as he did now,
face which warned her that he
had braced himself for struggle and
would not tamely yield. What Louis
Baldwin had said was too true. MALTA
barr had, indeed, been "hard hit"
Before he spoke one wild idea darted
into Margaret's mind. After all, her
instinct, as well as her Judgment, told
her he was the best of these three men
who would each, within so short time,
have cared for her, and told her so-he
was noble, simple, true and high
hearted. After the glimpse she had
had of the hard and uncOmpromising
side of Louis nature, she feared him.
Could she not make up her mind to
stake her all on one throw, and say
"Yes" to John Mallabarr? He would
take her as far away from Foulhaven as
she chose, and for as long as she chose,
and she, unless she went out of her
mind, or were a very bad woman, must
gain some affection for him in time.
Horrid speculations!'' says Prudery;
improper, nay, immodest!" You are
very praiseworthy, dear Prudery, and
an excellent friend, no doubt, to those
who stand in need of your protection;
but you can not do away with the fact
that such horrid speculations do occur
daily to women who are both proper and
modest, and that they are very fire.
quently answered in the affirmative.
Before Margaret could give any kind OF
answer to herself, John Mallabarr had
taken up his parable, and she was forced
to give, ear to his words.
| You will hardly believe that have
been in London nearly all this time.
had great deal of business to attend
to. Quite unconscious of what was
taking place at Foulhaven, i quietly re-
manned in town. l came home the day
before yesterday. Yesterday afternoon
/ called upon Mrs. Lascelles. L asked
after you-where you were, She told
me-
THAT she had been harboring an i'm.
postor."
"You an impostorr' he echoed scorn-
fully. THAT shows what false ideas
have been put into your head of your
own angelic goodness. She spoke Of
you with enthusiasm and with the
warmest affection. She said that until
you had gone they had had no idea to
what extent you had been the sunshine
of their house; that you had gone home
because friend of yours was going Il
be married from your house; and also
forgive my speaking plainly, but SC
much depends upon it-because she be
lieved you had had quarrel with Louis
Baldwin, who had said something tina
he had no right to say to you. She
told it me in confidence, because she
said she felt so sad and lonely, anC
Louis had quite deserted them"
Mallabarr paused, and looked at hel
with wistful earnestness. Before tina
gaze Margaret could neither deny mol
equivocate. She felt it was no time fol
delicacy, for scruples, quibblings. Sh'
answered him with forced composure:
''Mrs. Lascelles was right. He sale
things TO me which | would not allow
any man to utter without resenting il
could not remain in house where
was likely to see him often"
Il did not tell Mrs. Lascelles mn
purpose, / saw she was distressed, anC
did not wish to distress her further
She has not the least idea of what wa
in my mind. -