The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1885-04-11

MN undecided. He must be governed
by Rue's own manner. AS test of her
feelings toward him he would ask her
for his sake to withdraw from the
operetta. If she loved him she would
do this cheerfully. If she would not do
it-Mr. Coleman had not provided for
the latter contingency when Bridget
ushered him into Mr.. Haywood's par
lor. Miss Rue and Mr.. Lynde were |
practicing duet for the operetta, both
too rapt to observe the intruder "a fact
inexplicable on musical grounds to
poor Mr.. Coleman, who did not know
the notes apart, or care to know them.
According to his inference, the young
people were absorbed in each other,
and he was off in limbo. Under
these circumstances it may not
be strange that his face, that
instant spied by Miss Rue, was not
the face of an amiable man. 1t prompt
ly reminded Mr.. Lynde of waiting
pupil, and having congratulated Mr..
Coleman on his safe return, he hustled
his music under his arm and departed
in haste.
Miss Rue wheeled the big easy-chair
in front of the CRATE, playfully forced
her sullen sutton into it, and perched
herself on lis arm to hear about his
Journey. Had he been lip No? Then
he must be fearfully tired She knew
his head aehed. Shouldn't she try to
magnetic it and put him to sleep?
No, he preferred that she should not.
He had kept his eyes closed too long al
ready, sega .reszs s.R.F..
AS wen might zephyr have attempt
ed to pet an iceberg. With SILVER Miss
Rue slipped from her perch and seated
herself with her work in q neighboring
| rocker. What had come over John?
She had never seen him like this before.
He d d not seem a. bit glad TO meet her.
He turned away from the distracting
vision, mentally preparing his BRET
this astute lawyer, as ignorant Of the
nature ola girl as an elephant of the
structure OF a rose. Presently he began
about the festival. He admitted that
4 RE had once confded to him her inten-
ton of participating id an operetta, out
a he had supposed an operetta to be
something like an oratorio, not a tumble
! Of silly love songs. Did she, think it
becoming in herself, an engaged young
D.. lady, to carol amorous ditties from
morning to night with tuneful swain?
s'They are burlesquess lJohn--only
burlesqdes 1fI had dreamedi of your
disappearing, Iwouldnit have promised
u sing; ,but lcan,t retract now"
A ssNot when i PARTICULARLY request it,
Ruean 4g "a ia FL.
Indeed, no, John. l have the lead
ing part. l can't refuse to act without
offending Mr.. Lynde,"
ION the other hand, you can't persist
/ in acting without offending me-
q " Now, John, do'be reasonable. How
/. Should Ifeels announcing at the mex
rehearsal that l must be excused-Mr
: Coleman was not willing to have mt
y connected with the operettaP What
: would Mr.. Lynde Think"
"Oh, if his opinion has more weigh
! with you than mine, | will retire.
"John, you're too absurd. Can't you
see how ridiculous it would look for mt
: to throw up my part the moment yor
e came homeP People would say YOU
a were jealous of Mr.. Lynde.
q "The jackanapes!"
r "And that you We're Blue-beard
|. EJohn, I'm not sure hut the'd be right.
s"H I'm tyrant, Rufelle, you're al
I amazingly fearless Fatima. .
d 81 don't propose to be your Fatima
r John"
o What did Rue intend by thatP TIL
4 wrinkle in Mr.. Coleman forehead deep
:. ened into a trench, his brown fac
i flushed like an oak in October.
\ "Please lay aside paradoXes, Rufelle
,. Do you mean you don't wish TO MARI.
;, me? Rumor has told me as much. "
= In truth Miss Rue had meant nothing
. of the kind, but her lovers insultin,
- tone exasperated her into silence. Ha,
:, . it come to this, that she could not win
." without first consulting his lordship
- Her blue eyes flashed ominously, tn
- steel hook in her fingers darted in an
:, out of her crocheting with murderou
. rapidity.
3 "Rumor has told me as much" II
a peated Mr.. Coleman, as impressively a
n if he had been addressing a jury.
+ "And you let people talk about m,
10 John, and listen to what they say!"
% II might have known that girl VIII
is would not respect my dignity could nc
(. value my esteem. Tyrant or not, Ru
r. ellie, at least I've no desire to riv,
g. calling letters. Henceforth you al
e. free to smile upon Mr.. Lynde or an
p other gentleman. Et
,c Had he omitted the last sentence, a
{ fectionate, kindly little Rue could eve
Or then have made up" with John, br
this was too much for her tempe
W Snatching the golden circlet from hi
a. engagement finger, she flung it at hi
lover, with cheeks aflame.
t.; Take back your ring" cried sh
IS "the girl who wears it should be sail
E. or simpleton, and I'm neither. Goo,
n bye, John"
ut Auburn head erect, chin in air, 81
swept out Of the room with all the stat
i'll illness possible to slight girl of fly
- / E. h. fol 4 L. -