The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1884-04-12
CHAPTER XIV.


One afternoon, when the time of
Philips promised arrival was drawing
near, Thekla Berghaus went to call
upon Grace Massey. She found her, as
she had expected. at home and alone.
with books spread around her and a
sheet of paper before her.
"What are you doingP' asked Thick
la. "Are you busy? Do l disturb
youp"
you never disturb me. was doing
this work now, intending to walk up to
your house this evening, but am glad
you came here instead. Take off your
hat, and we'll have a cup of tea"
1hekla did not decline the proffered
hospitality. She put off her hat, seat
ed herself on the sofa and said: Il am
glad found you in. did not want
you to come up to our house tonight.
or at all, until / had seen you and
spoken to you"
mo! Whygn asked Grace, looking
up in momentary surprise.
because you would have discovered
something which | want to tell you
not leave you to find out
"Ah!' said Grace, sweeping away
her books and writing materials as the
maid came in with the tray of afternoon
| tea.
She said nothing more, but poured
out some for Thekla, who sat looking
! somewhat nervous. Grace carried the
cup to her, placed it beside her at the
corner of the table, and laying one
hand on Thekla's shoulder, said in low
voice:
"Thekla, you have got engaged to
some one!
"Yes, / have" replied Thekla, sud
denly looking up, and throwing hel
arms round Grace's neck. she pressed
it tightly with one or two convulsivt
little hugs; Il shave. What have you
to say to it?"
TELL me first if it is Mr.. Reich
hardt?"
sit is Fritz Reichhardt-yes.
Then | wish you every happiness
that you deserve, and if you get tina
YOU will have no end of Joy. Frt;
Reichhardt is good fellow. 1 think h
deserves you, too, almost.
THANK you; I'll tell him so" sale
Thekla, beginning TO stir her tea.
Both girls had hard work to abstain
from tears, partly because they Wer
girls. talking about an engagement, ant
partly because of flood of memories
of hopes, fears and tender thoughts
which had agiated both their hearts
. and to which, as they both felt, it woul
be terribly dangerous to make any al
fusion.
Thekla knew that Grace had ardentl
desired Philip to fall in love with heI
| nd 70
knew that she knew it. Grace kneN
that TheF's had more than liked Philip
that since his engagement to Angel
) Fairfax she had suffered, and that thi
, engagement meant, amongst othe
things, escape from cond ton whic
oppressed her; and Thekla knew tina
Grace knew all this. But they wer
, both wisely silent on the subject. Grac
, poured out some tea Tor herself, an
said:
II suppose it is only just settled, an
if had come unexpectedly this even
ing | should have found Mr.. Reicl
, hardt there in his new and successfl
J role of accepted sutor-and you wishe
r 10 come and explain first.
"Yes, that is all about it," assente
{ Thekla; "but you will come all til
same. and see him and me in that ro
g you speak of, wont you?'
+ With pleasure; but IN that case
; shall have to ask you to go away ;
. once, rude though it may seem, or
f shall never have my Euclid ready fC
: tomorrow morning
n 81 90 at once said Thekla, risini
o "Ah, there is Mabelle Fairfax comir
+ home from school. How wretched ii
: child looksr'
+ Does she not? My heart aches fl
S her, somehow"
h " Perhaps Angela DULLES her.