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

impossible for him ever to raise it. In his
letter he adds that we must, therefore,
relinquish all hope of ever seeing him
again" The girls eyes were blinded
with tears, and for some moments she
could not speak, but, by painful effort,
she succeeded at last. 1--WE are striv-
ing by every honest means in our
power, to collect the money. 1t is a
hard fight. This is only very modest
little cafe, and our profits are very
small. Prosper gains a few extra
francs every week with his boat in the
harbor, but many years must pass be-
fore we can hope to accomplish this
trying task"
"How long" the stranger asked,
"has your father been prisoner?"
Ten years"
SIS it possble?'
II was fifteen when he went away.
At parting he kissed me on both
cheeks" continued Nina, smilino
thoughtfully. Now | am twenty-five. y
Poor childp' said the stranger, with
great tenderness.
During these years we have man.
aged to save nearly three thousand
francs. Perhaps, in ten more years. if
we are very fortunate, we shall be able
to complete the sum, and father will be
sitting in the old corner where YOU are
seated now, as | remember seeing him
when ] was a child" While she was
still speaking that dreamy look, which
the stranger had observed already. be-
gan to reappear on her dark eyes, and
she seemed gradually to lose herself in
thought.
The stranger, who felt that his pres
ence at her side was forgotten, rose
from his seat with a suppressed sigh.
and, crossing to where Nina's broth
er and the fishermen still PLAYED
at dominoe's, he placed his hand upon
the boatman's shoulder. Monsieur
Prosper" said he, sit is almost time we
started But before we 90, let us drink
a glass together; if, he added, looking
round-"if your friends will join us, so
much the better"
The fishermen expressed them
selves agreeable. So Prosper filled
glasses all round Every one rose and
"clinked" with the stranger, at the
same time wishing him bon voyage.
Then Prosper Cornllon assisted
monsieur to envelop himself once
more in his cloak, while Nina came
timidly forward to take his proffered
hand and to bid him adieu. And then
out they stepped into the wind and
rain, followed by the fishermen, leaving
Nina all alone in the cafe, with her
hands clasped and wistful look in her
eyes.
II. THE OLD SAILOR.
1t was still stormy at Marseiles. For
some weeks owing to the gales which
had visited the Mediterranean, the port
has been crowded with vessels, driven
in by stress of weather. In times like
these Prosper Cornillon reaped har-
vest; for his boat was in demand from
morning till night. 1t was firing work,
but generous impulse gave him en-
ergy. He was toiling with the direct
object of obtaining his father freedom.
One evening, worn out with his unre-
hitting labors, Prosper had thrown
himself down, with his elbows on the
table, in the corner of the cafe near the
hearth; and soon his head had sunk
upon his arms and he had fallen asleep.
In front of the fire was seated his sister
Nina, with weary look, too, upon her
face; but her great dreamy eyes were
wide open; for although late in the
evening, it was not yet the hour for
closing the Cafe Cornillon. At any mo-
ment a customer might enter; and
some customers, if Nina was not very
wakeful and attentive, were apt to grow
impatient; indeed, she had scarcely less
peace and quietness during the twenty
four hours than her brother Prosper.
At the moment when it became so late
that Nina was on the point of rising to
turn out the lamps and lock up for the
night, the door was slowly opened. An
old sailor in rough coat, the collar OF
which was turned up about his neck,
mysteriously entered the cafe. He
touched his slouchng hat with his sun
burnt, horny hand in feeble, hesitat-
ing manner; then choosing table neal
the hearth, opposite to the one upon
which Prosper's head was resting, he
sat down and began to stroke his long,
white beard thoughtfully, without rals-
ing his eyes.
With what, monsieur, can | serve
youP"
The man answered in low voice,
with his head still bent Cafe noir. -
Nina fastened to place cup of cof-
fee before him, and when she had
filled little glass with cognac, she re-
sumed her seat before the hearth. The
girls chair was placed with the back
towards the door On one side of her
was the table at which the old man
sat slipping his coffee; and on the other