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

The girl looked up with distant,
dreamy expression in her eyes, THAT
ship" said she, as though speaking her
thoughts aloud rather than addressing
herself to any one, "that ships bound
for some Greek port.
"For SYRIA, said the stranger, prompt
ly, while at the same time he removed
his cloak and sat down at table near
the hearth.
Prosper Cornillon turned away and
joined the fishermen at the other end of
the cafe. Like true catetier, he was
soon laughing with the customers, TAX
ing hand at dominoes, and calling to
his sister Nina to serve him. as though
he were customer, too.
Meanwhile, the stranger sat in silence,
waiting for his supper, with his back
leaning against the wall and his legs
stretched out towards the fire. He was
dressed in the uniform of a French
Colonel, though only a man of twenty
eight or thirty at the utmost. He had
a handsome, expressive face, his eyes
frequently Frightening with some pass
ing thought. But when he turned his
glance upon Nina, his look grew serious
and sympathetic.
Few could have resisted studying the
face of Nina Cornillon, not merely on
account of its beauty, but because some
trouble, sustained with brave resolution,
was portrayed in every feature. That
dreaminess in the eyes, already referred
to, which seemed to indicate that her
thoughts were wandering far beyond
the port of Marseilles, was seldom sup
pressed except when she was spoken to;
and when the conversation ceased, her
look appeared to sink away again into
the distance, while a smile would break
pensively upon her lips and tears glisten
upon her long black lashes.
Scarcely word passed between the
stranger and Nina Cornillon until the
supper was cleared away when
monsieur lit his cigar and drew his
chair closer towards the hearth. But
when the girl had served the customary
cup of coffee and was pouring out the
petit Uerre, the gentleman remarked
"Shall | tell you, mademoiselle, where
NOul luOuSulS arc lIdNtDlu09
The girl looked with puzzled ex-
preston into the strangers face. "You
would indeed be a magician" she said,
''if you could"
"Your thoughts" said he "are
travelling along the shores of Greece"
Nina started and changed color. For
awhile she seemed too troubled to
speak. Seating herself in front of the
hearth, she looked thoughtfully into the
fire.
IF mademoiselle will trust me-" the
stranger presently remarked in a soft
tone, ''even though she might wish a
message taken to her lover, / will
promise to execute any errand faith
fully"
The girl glanced up with a touch of
Indignation in her face. But suddenly
dropping her eyes, she said, with deep
blush on her cheeks, 81 have no lover. "
The stranger looked grave; and as
though conscious of having made blum
der, he fastened to change the subject.
81 will not try any further to read your
thoughts. But tell me-" he added,
"Why does your brother keep boat
for hire in the harbor when he has such
an excellent little cafe to attend to? 1t
seems to me that the work is too severe
for you all by Yourself"
"Ah, monsieur, you would not say
that" exclaimed Nina, eff you only
knew how anxious we both are to make
money"
The stranger could not conceal a look
of surprise. Such sentiments, uttered
in such an avaricious tone by an humble
girl like Nina, appeared inconsistent
"You mean, perhaps" he limited "that
you do not find it congenial work to
keep cafe, and that you will be glad
when you can afford to retire from
business?"
"Oh, no. monsieur! That is not what
l meant When we have accumulated
10000 francs, we shall part with the
money; and then"
Then, mademoselle?"
ave shall begin again." continued
Nina, with light hearts; for if we ever
save that sum we can purchase our
fathers liberty
What" cried the stranger, greatly
moved. lis it possible that"
"Hushn' Nina whispered, with her
finger to her lip, as she glanced around
at the table where her brother and his
companions were seated over their
game. Whenever Prosper hears this
subject mentioned he is like mailman.
If it interests you, monsieur, this terri
bic disaster which has befallen us, draw
your chair closer, and l will tell you in
few words how it all happened"
The stranger came nearer to Nina's
side, and leaned forward in listening
attitude. His face assumed an ex-
pressSion of intense concern as she pro-
ceeded.
In low voice, frequently choked by
tears, the girl confided to the sympa-
thetic stranger her sad story. always
anxious to assist his family" Nina be-
gan, lit one day occurred to father to
buy a vessel, for the nurnoSe of trading