The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1885-03-07

which was gradually creeping from the
misty past would bring her SORROW
now that she remembered, she wished
to forget. The rings were cast aside to
show me, if possible, without words,
that she was not to be my wife.
How could speak now? The answer
had been given before the question had
been put
She saw me looking at that little
white hand of hers, but simply dropped
her lashes and said nothing. No doubt
she wished me to spare her the pain of
an explanation. If / could nerve my
self to it, perhaps Che best thing would
be to leave her as speedily as possible
leave her to return no more.
Moody and respondent as / felt at
the discovery just made, it was not
long before found great change in
Pauline's manner. She was not the
same. Something had come between
us, something which entirely dispelled
the old friendly intercourse; changing
it into little more than conventional
politeness. Shyness and constraint
now made themselves manifest in every
word and action - perhaps, in mine
also. We spent the day together as
usual, but the companionship must have
been irksome to both, so greatly was
its footing changed for the worse. That
night went to bed wretched The
prize had striven for seemed to be
snatched away just as l had hoped to
win it.
So several days passed. Pauline
made no sign, or certainly none | could
construe fayorably. l could bear this
state of things no longer. Priscilla,
whose sharp eyes saw that something
was amiss, pestered me beyond endur-
ance; and spoke her mind so rounily
that | began to suspect she had alreaiy
executed her threat of telling Pauline
everything; and l felt inclined to at.
tribute my failure to the old woman's
otficiousness in making premature
revelation. All might have gone well
had l been given another week or a
fortnight to win my wife's heart. l be-
gan to believe that she was growing
unhappy; that my presence troubled
her. Not that she evinced any wish
to avoid me; indeed, she came so surely
at my beck and call as to suggest a
shadow of the obedience she had always
given during those days upon which
now dreaded to dwell. But l felt
she would be happier and more at ease
in my absence. So l resolved to depart.
Lcould not 60 without explaining
| fhfY, 70 hAH 7 ,,ool
her by abiding to our relationship, but
must inform her that she was not the
heiress she believed. l must tell hel
she had plenty to live upon without say,
ing that l, her husband, would supply
it. When this was arranged, farewell
forever!
As soon as had finished my pre-
tense at breakfast, / walked across to
the house where Pauline lodged Al
yet she knew nothing of my purpose.
held her hand rather longer than usual
and by desperate effort forced wordl
to my lips.
II am come to say goodbye. 1 90 t.
London to-day"
She answered not word, but fel
her hand tremble in my own. Her eye
l could not see.
Eyes, I have loitered here lonl
/, enough" l continued attempting tt
speak easily; "a great many things cal
me to town"
{ Pauline was not looking in the best o
health this morning. Her cheek wa
. paler than it had been since my arrival
She looked languid and depressed
Doubtless my presence had worried her
Poor girl, she would soon be relieved o
that,
? Seeing that paused for her to speal
she found her voice, but even tina
[ seemed to have lost some of its FRESHNESS
and tone
, when do you goP" was all that sh
+ said. Not word about my return!
{ "By the midday coach. have still
some hours left. AS it is the last time
= shall we walk to the Clearing togeth
, err"
"Do you wish it?"
I IF you have no objection. Besides
= l want to speak to you about yourself
D about business matters" l added, t
! show that she need not fear the intel
t view.
V ~ will come" she said, quitting VI
room hurriediy.
r l waited. Presently Priscilla az
1 peared. She was looking daggers !
l me-undeserved at least from hel
: Her voice was harsh and raspy, bring
e ing back to my mind a familiar SCUM
G of early childhood, when l had con
it mitted some petty crime which excite
a her ire.
miss Pauline begs you will walk O
d and not wait for her. She will join yo
1 at the Clearing presently"
l took my hat and prepared to do {
h commanded. Priscilla had said not
s ing which showed she knew of my a.
1 preaching departure, but as 1 WI
n passing out of the house she said, in
@ tone of whitening scorn:
d master Gilbert, you're bigger fo
than | thought you were."
n Such an observation, even from q
n old servant. could not no naSsnd nv