The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1884-12-20
CHAPTER v.
BY LAW. Not LOVE.


Proud and happy as l felt when seat
ed side by size with Pauline in the rail-
way carriage which was taking us to
the north, fortunate as 1 told myself L
was to have won such a fair bride;
great as my love was for the sweet girl
who mad just vowed herself mine for
ever, Ceneri's extraordinary stipulation
kept recurring 20 my mind-tse man
who marries Pauline March must be
con ent to take her as she is; to wish TO
know nothing of her past.
Not for one minute did think such
contract could 90 enforced. AS soon as
had succeeded in making Pauline love
me she would surely wish to tell me all
her history--there would be no need to
ask for 1.-THE confidence would then
be given as a matter of course. When
she learned the secret of love all other
secrets would cease between us.
| NY wife looked verv beaut ful as she
sat with her head leaning against the
dark clot of the carriage. Her clear
cut, refined features showed in that po-
sition advantageously. Her face, as
usual, was pale and calm; her eyes were
cast down. A woman to be indeed proud
of; to worship, to cherish, and how
sweet it seemed to whisper the word to
myself-my wife!
Yet suspect none would have taken
us for a newly married couple. AT any
rate there were no nudgings and SLY
chances among our fellow passengers.
The ceremony had been so hurried on
that no attempt had been made to in
vest Pauline with the usual bridal ac-
cessories. Her dress, although becom-
ing and fashionable, was one in which
L had seen her several times. Neither
of us had any brand new belongings to
stamp us rs being bound for a honey
moon; so the only notice we attracted
was the notice which was due to my
! wife's great and uncommon beauty.
The carriage was nearly full when we
started from London, and as the
strangeness OF our new relations pre-
vented our conversing in an ordinary
way, by mutual consent we were all but
silent; a few soft words in italian were
all l could trust myself to speak until
we were alone.
At the first important station, the
first place at which the train stopped
for any time worth mentioning, l exer-
cised little diplomatic bribery, and,
changing our carriage we were in-
stalled in a compartment the windows
of which bore the magic word zen
gagged" Pauline and were alone.
took her hand in mine.
my wifer' 1 said passionately,
'mine, only mine. forever!"
Her hand lay lstless and unresisting
in my own. 1 pressed my lips to her
cheek. She shrapk not from my kiss,
neither did she return it-she simply
suffered it.
pauline" 1 whispered, ''say once,
Gilbert, my husband"
She repeated the words like child
learning a new lesson. My heart sanh
as her emotionless accents fell on ms
ears. l had hard task before mel
l could not blame her. Why should
she love me yet? Me, whose Christian
name, think, she heard yesterday for
the first timer Better, far better, in
difference than simulated love. Sht
had become my wife simply because hel
uncle wished it. | could at least com
fort myself by thinking the maria ,
bad not been forced upon her; also that
so far as could see, she entertained M
dislike to me. | did not for one mo
ment despair l must now WOO he
humbly and reverently, as every MAJ
, should woo his love. Certainly, as he
husband, l did not stand in a worse pc
sitlon than when was her fellow-lodge
, and old Teresa was following my ever,
movement with her black suspicious
eyes.
/ would win her, but until l coul,
, claim the rights which love would give
| resolved to take none of those will
| which the law had invested me. Nom
, save this, and this only once.
Pauline" l said, "will you kis
: me2 Only once l ask it. lt will max
: me happier; but if you would rattle
wait until we are better acquainted,
shall not complain"
She leaned forward and kissed m
} forehead. Her young lips were red ant
warm, bit they chilled me in that kis
t there was not susp cion OF the passion
, which was thrilling me.
| drew my hand from hers, and, still
, sitting beside her, began to do my bes
I to maze myself agreeable to the wo l,a
! | loved. + | felt distressed and some
what disappointed, / concealed it an,
stro,e to talk p easantly and natural,
tried to ascertain what manner o
woman ! had married to get at he
likes and dislikes Ito study her disposi
ton to determ ne her tastes-learn he
. wshes--read her thong Is and event
ually TO make her regard me as on
Who would spend his lie in yenderin
r her happy.
}. When was it the idea first struck m
: the horrible idea that even the pecul
3 iarity and novelty of the situat o.
o could not altogether account for Pau
i ines apathy and lack of animation