The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1884-05-10
CHAPTER XXI.
PREPARATION REourRED. a

father S house. Grace was wandering
from one parlor to another. looking into
them, shaking her head and then look
ing out again.
"Where can the child have hidden
herself? She must be in her own
room,n speculated Miss Massey, as she
took her way up the broad, shallow,
oaken staircase, and, going along
white-washed passage, Knocked ut a
bed room door.
"Come inr' cried Mabelle's voice,
and Grace entered. Her visitor was
seated at a table which stood in one of
the windows. She had writing ma
terials before her, and appeared to be
engaged in the composition of a letter.
"What are you doing?" demanded
Grace. "Why are you shut up herep l
have been looking for you every
where"
IL am writing letter, which | want
to go by to-night's post when the boy
goes to the town." said Mabelle, look
ing rather embarrassed.
"Indeed Well, make your letter as
short as you can, for | have a lot of
things want to say to you. We are
talking about picnic.
Eyes; l shall have done in a moment.
l never could understand Bradshaw
you know, and that is why / have been
so long about it. "
4" bradshaw echoed Grace, with
a sudden look of suspicion. What do
you want with bradshaw
'To tell Angela by what train to eX-
pect me, of course" replied Mabelle,
nervously, and unsuccessiully essaying
smile of Indifference.
"Why, in the name of common sense,
should Angela want to know the train a
month beforehand"
"A month! Oh, but | must 90 the
| day after tomorrow, was the answer,
in would-be matter-of-coursc tone.
Nonsense! You are to stay another
month"
Indeed, Grace, can not. 1 have
been away quite long enough as it is.
l am sure they would not like me to re-
main so much longer"
"Who said they would?-but Ue
should like you to do so, and that is
the principal thing" retorted Grace,
unscrupulously. Now, don't be silly,
Mabelle. 1t is utterly impossible for
you TO 90. Give me that letter, and let
me tear it up"
She stretched out her hand toward it,
but Mabelle's little fingers closed upon
it like wise, and there was anything
but yielding expression in her eyes.
Il know it for a fact continued
Grace, "that Mr.. Fordyce told you to
60 away and enjoy yourself as long as
you liked, for you needed change.
You wrote and told me so yourself.
Will you deny your own dispatches, as
the Opposition say the Government
dop"
belle, hastily. ''And please do moi
hinder me, Grace, or my letter will
not be ready for Tom to take it down y
II am sure l hope it won't, so far as
am concerned. You offer me premium
to stay and interrupt you. Why do you
wish to 90? Why this sudden adherence
of us and our society? You said moth
ing about it before"
Mabele maintained an embarrassed
silence, and Grace continued: "Yor
know perfectly well that we all wish
you to stay
Not ALL" escaped from Mabelle':
lips involuntarily, and she bit then
with vexation, and, folding up her let
ter, said:
"For several reasons, must go or
Thursday, and you will be very unkinC
and very unfriendly if you try to pre-
vent it.
Nov l know said Grace, tri
umphantly. g | might have guessed
before. 1t is because you want to run
away from Philip, you absurd little
creature"
No, don't want to run away from
him." answered Mabelle, miserable il
the consciousness of a burning face
which would not return to its norma
hue.
q" DO you mean to say that if Philip
had not returned you would have treat
ed me in this way?"
Treated you! How unkind you are
Grace. 1t is absurd to pretend that he
can like me to be here, and whateve
you say, will not stay. | should b,
miserable if l did"
Upon my world A compliment t.
us and our hospitality! Pray what diff
ference do you suppose it can possibl.
make to Philip"
4 can not imagine what reason you
can have for raking up the past in this
way when all wish is to have it for
gotten. You can not forget that m,
sister treated your brother shamefully
and he can not have forgotten it, either
| have never for day forgotten it
The very name of Fairfax must b.
abominable in his ears, and the sight o
me must be hateful to him. 1t mus
completely spoil his pleasure in being
at home again to be confronted by M
at every turn. 1t is an idea that can
not bear, and l am going home; m.
mind is made up
"And what if | told you that yol
We're quite mistaken; that Philip hat