The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1884-02-09


taking the lirsn habit from the seat
where Kitty has dropped it, he triumph
aptlv brings forth from one of its pock-
cts the twin volume of Howells.
With a hasty and humble apology the
blushiup Kitty once more collects her
possessions, and in a very unenviable
frame of mind follows the crowd into
the Pullman. She is almost crying at
her own stupidity as she chances hastily
at the coupon which she carries, and
notices that it bears the number
six. She hardly glances at her opposite
neighbour small boy and his big
brother-as she arranges her luggage
and tries not to see her new acquaint-
ance. who is coming down the aisle.
To her annoyance, he pauses just at her
section, and scans his coupon with q
nonplused air. But Kitty obstinately
looks out of the window, although she
| it keenly conscious that, after an in
stant's hesitation. he takes the seat be-
side her. And while she is still feeling
hot and angry and uncomfortable, tho
train rushes out of the station and into
the wet, foggy streets beyond
Presently enters the white-capped
conductor, and one by one the psSsen-
gers tickets are examined satisfactorily,
| until it comes the turn of the people in
section six. Her three neighbors pass
muster successfully, and unhappy Kitty
! tmidly thrusts forth her checks, only to
be crushed with shame and consterna-
ton as the conductor turns the coupon
upside down, and, piercing her with
his cold, shiny eye, gruffly roars:
Number nine, madam! number nine,
please! You have mistaken your sec
TONI
Kitty's companion politely removes
her bags to number nine, and leaves
her to her by no means pleasant med
itations. She can see him in the mirror
of the panel beside her, deeply interest
ed in the misleading novel of Howells.
She notices that he reads steadily until
supper-time, and then he goes off to the
smoking-car, and she sees him no more
that night
Her vis-a-vis turns out to be wom-
an with teething baby; and Kitty alb
dicates the lower berth in their favor,
and goes UP aloft. where James evil
prophecies have their due effect, and she
dreams of brigands and the Sicilian
malta, and all manner of horrible things
until morning.
Perhaps it is because the dark-eyed
traveller orders breakfast in the train
that Miss Kate disregards her sister
commands, and decides to incur dys-
pepsia at the railroad restaurant in AL
lance. For the same reason she elects
to dine in Pittsburgh; yet her order is
scarcely filled when her ''chance ac-
quaintancen walks lelsurely in, and is
allotted place at the same table. That
he is gentlemanly and unobtrusive she
is forced to admit before the meal
ends. Even Jane herself could hardly
cavil at his demeanor: he is polite; sim
ply that and nothing more. Neverthe-
less she does not liuger over the meal
and at its close she hastily makes her
way to the gate, to be confronted by
an official whose brass is not limited tC
the buttons on his uniform, and who
authoritatively demands to be shown
her ticket,
Poor, needless Kate! OF course she
has left it in her bag in the car. Sht
attempts an explanation to the guard
who, on the whole, rather enjoys bully
ing pretty girl in her confusion, wher
quiet voice at her side requests thai
the lady be permitted to pass, and offer,
|
be. The officer steps back obsequious
ly, and Kitty passes on, timidly muir
murng her thanks. In her embarrass
!, ment at this, her newest obligation Il
the dreaded drummer, she steps ABOARD
the wrong car, and once again he qui
city sets her right, with few deferen
: tial words waving all title to her graft
tude.
Jane is too great pessmist anyway
she reflects throughout that gloom,
afternoon, as the train is flying alon;
through smoky Pennsylvania towns, ant
she makes 4 pretense of reading Will
covertly watching the traveller, who i
J stationed opposite just u seat or tw,
ahead. He has met the porter, and tn
, enemy is his. Evidently he has tray
eled before and knows his man, Mis-
Kitty thinks for after he has donned
becoming trayeling-cap, a word to tn
; attentive functionary and pillow 70
! his head is produced, against which h
1 leans in lazy, comfortable fashion AM
reads leisurely-to all appearances, a
least. But in his secret heart he i
blessing the laws OF natural philosophy
: and particularly the beneficent rule
that relate to the reflection from plan
mirrors; for from his easy position h
commands an unobstructed view of tn
: little girl who sits just back of him
9 and whose dark blue traveling-dres
and natty little hat of ultramarne fur
Il nish such an admirable setting for he
: bright, clear complexion and heav
@ brown braids.
S AT Pittsburgh she has sent Telegram
o to Edgar, and at Rochester the reply
. brought to her. AS she reads he
9 brothers message her blue eyes ligh
: up with an expression of love an
pleasure that her neighbours miro
faithfully reflects. From her hus