The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1884-12-13

the drawing room. She must have
crept from her bed to see that her
charge got into no mischief. l chafed
at the espion age. but as yet it was too
early to escape from it.
Before Teresa could hobble out of
doors | had met Pauline more than once
in the same wav. She seemed, ] was
glad to believe, pleased when joined
her. The difficulty labored under was
to make her talk. She would listen to
all had TO say without comment and
without reply, save YES or no. II, by q
rare chance, she asked question or
spoke longer sentence than usual the
effort was never sustained | attributed
great deal of tins to shyness and to
her secluded life-for the only person
she had to speak to was that terrible old
Teresa.
Although every word and action of
Pauline's told me that she was we'll
educated and well-bred, was certainly
surprised at her ignorance of literature
quoted an author, mentioned a book
by name, the remark passed unnoticed;
or she looked at me as If puzzled by
my allusion, or distressed at her own
ignorance. Although | had now seen
her several times, i was not satisfied at
the progress | had made. ! knew had
not as yet struck the keynote of her
nature.
AS soon as the old servant, duenna,
friend, or what she was, grew well,
| heard some startl NO news. NV land
lady asked me if could recommend
her apartments to sny friend of mine
such as myself she was good enough to
say-Miss March was going to leave,
and the landlady thought she would
prefer taking a gentleman in her place.
felt certain this was countermove
of that old bag Teresa. She had cast
venomous chances at me when we passed
each other on the stairs; had respond
ed surlily when [ asked her if she had
| quite recovered from the effects of her
accldent-in word, knew she was
my enemy; that she had discovered my
feelings toward Pauline and was doing
her best to keep us apart. l had no
means of knowing the extent of her
power or influence over the girl, but
had sometime since ceased 10 regard
her as nothing more than servant.
The intelligence that my acknowledges
were about to quit showed me that to
bring my love for Pauline to success.
full issue, must in some way make
matters straight with this unpleasant
olafttendant.
That same evening, as l heard her
coming down the stairs, l threw open
my door and stood face to face with
her.
"Signora Teresa" l said, with high
flown politeness, "will it please you to
step into my room? Iwish to speak to
you"
She gave me a quick, suspicious
glance, but nevertheless complied with
my request. Iclosed the door and placed
chair for her.
"Your poor knee-is it quite wellp'
1 asked alphabetically, and in Italian.
ut is quite well, signor," she replied
laconically.
'Will you take glass of sweet wineE
l have some here"
Teresa, in spite of our inimical rela-
tions, made no biection, so l filled 6
glass and watched her sip it approx
ingly.
lis the Signorina-Mis March wells
l have not seen her to-day"
"She is WELL"
1T is about her wish to speak tC
you-you have guessed thatP'
Il have guessed it." AS she spoke
Teresa gave me "a sullen, defiant look
YES" l continued, ''your vigilant
faithful eyes have seen what l have n,
wish to conceal. love the Signorir;
Pauline"
"She is not TO be loved" said Teresa
sulkily.
"One so beautiful must be loved.
love her and will marry her"
'She is not to be married"
"Listen, Teresa. l say will MARI,
her. l am a gentleman and rich.
have $4,000 lire a year"
) The amount OF my income, magnifi
cent when reduced to her native coin
age, was not without its expected effect
Ii her eyes, as they met m ne, were a
: unfriendly as ever, their look of aston
ishment and increasing respect told m
I | was appealing to her tenderest feeling
cup dity.
Now tell me why should not MARI,
the signorina? Tell me who her friend
are that may see them and ask her il
r marriage?"
''She is not for marriage"
This was all could get from the oil
: woman. She would tell me nothin
f about Pauline's family or FIR ends. Sh
would only reiterate that she was no
: for love or for marriage.
| had but one chance left. Teresa
eager look when l mentioned the in
: come possessed had impressed Inc.
a must condescend to the vulgar act G
direct bribery; tho end would justif
{ the means.
e AS was so often travelling it was m
: habit to carry large sum of money o
: my person. Idrew out my pocket-boo
/. and counted out hundred pounds i
!. new crisp notes. Teresa eyed ther
f hungrily.
~ on know what these are worth?
, pnlInd .,nnrhnd M,