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

hoarse, n1istinct voice: you may re-
member, perhaps, a few weeks ago, en-.
tertaining young soldier who passed
through this port on his way to Greece.
Your brother conveyed him in his boat
on board the Livadia, a ship bound for
SYRIA"
81 remember the gentleman WELL"
said Nina, in faltering voice. "He
gave Prosper a piece of gold before
parting to sustain us in our efforts to
collect large sum of money which is
demanded by Greek pirate as ran.
som for our fathers liberty"
1T is from this young soldier, Colonel
Lafont, " continued the old sailor, THAT
l bring the message"
Nina looked round quickly, with
sparkling eager eyes. What is the
message, mOnsieur?"
well" answered the old man.
speaking slowly, ''his words to you'll
mean to Prosper Cornillon - were
words of encouragement. You must
never despair! That was how the
young Colonel expressed it. Because,
as he argued, the day might not be far
distant when your father would be
set free"
with her eyes bent thoughtfully
upon the fire, Nina said: "a very kind
message. How good of him to think of
me!'
The message was to Prosper Cor.
nillon."
ITO think, l should say, of my broth
er Prosper. But"
But" continued the old man, 81
have not finished yet"
what more, mOnSieur?'
The old sailor, lowering his tone
and speaking as though he had diff
Guilty in not betraying some agitation.
continued: 1T was the Colonel hope
that neither of you would be de-
spondent-that you would rather in
dulge the fancy that you had heard
that the ransom demanded by this
Greek pirate had been paid-that your
father had regained his liberty-that
he had even started on his voyage
home, and was nearing the port of
Marseilles-"
Nina clasped her hands and cried, in
a trembling voice: THAT is what
dream of night and day"
Imagine, then, even imagine that
the ship has reached Marseiles that it
has entered the harbor. Nay figure
to yourSelf-though it may make Your
heart beat painfully-figurc to yourself
weather-beaten sailor entering your
cafe late one evening-a man with a
gray beard and shaky voice"
But at this point the old sailor was
interrupted. Looking round, Nina ut
tered a cry of JOY and sprang up with
outstretched arms and the word
"FatherI" upon her lips.
1t was Captain Cornillon who had
come thus as terribly trying surprise
Yet he was so changed that even Nina
had not recognized him. But the
recognition was complete now. So,
taking his daughter in his embrace. the
old sailor kissed her as he had kissed
her at their parting ten long years ago.
Not many weeks elapsed before Colo
mel Lafont again made his appearance
at Marseilles Prosper who happened
to be in the harbor at the moment of
his arrival, accompanied him in triumph
to the Cafe Cornillon as soon as he
landed. ....
Nothing could exceed the gratitude
which was shown by the Captain and
his two children towards this young
soldier, who, on reaching Greece, had
taken active steps to obtain the old
sailors release. Years passed before
Nina learned under what difficulties
Colonel Lafont formed the resolution
of restoring Captain Cornillon to his
family. For he was not a rich man;
he had gained promotion from the
ranks as a reward of bravery; and when
he had paid the ransom, he had parted
with nearly all the money he possessed
in the world. But he loved Nina Cor
MILLION. From the moment when, upon
that stormy winters night, Colonel La
font entered the cafe and saw the girl
standing by the hearth, he had never
ceased to think of the dreamy face,
nor of the low, passionate voice in
which she had told to him the sad cpl.
sode in her life.
These events happened many years
ago, and Nina and her husband, Colo.
mel Alphonse Lafont - who became
a General before he was forty-should
be old people now, if they are still
living, but one thing is certain-on the
quay at Marseilles there still stands the
little cafe in appearance unchanged,
except that it is called Cafe Cornillon
no longer. 4 Chambers JOarndl.
He Apologized.