The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-07-31

the young horsemen, and although he
could not approve of their reckless rid
ing could not but admire it. The
school-house was in the midst of a
beautiful grove of tall, straight young
trees which furnished hitching posts
for all. In this grove were wagons,
carts and buggies, and large number
of saddle horses. He assisted Pinkey
to alight at the stile and hitched her
horse at convenient sapling. Then
he accompanied the young lady to the
door of the school-house, when she
passed in, taking a seat on the ladies'
side, and he on the other.
As usual in country churches there
were several loafers and loungers wait
ing on the outside of the building.
They were men and boys who attend
church merely to see who is there, but
who never hear a word of gospel
preached. Among them he recognized
Bill Martin and shuddered as those
baleful eyes were fixed on him. There
was more than one nod and wink
exchanged among the women with
marriageable daughters, as the new
farm hand entered with Pinkey.
Mrs. Goss, who sat by the side of
Mrs. Jones, wondered why Mrs.
Miles would allow her daughter to GO
to meeting with tramps. The mar
riageable young daughters, neverthe-
less, looked with no little envy on Pin
keys companion His slender form
and urbane air contrasted strangely
with the rough uncouth youth of the
neighborhood. His manner was gen
tlemanly and quiet, while the iliterate,
ill-bred young man of the country sat
chewing gum and springing up every
few minutes to run out of doors, much
to the annoyance of Rev Mr.. Ban
croft, who was endeavoring to in
terest his congregation.
When the services were over Walter
stood at the door awaiting the exit OF
his companion. Some one touched HIM
on the elbow, and upon looking around
he beheld Bill Martin at his side. Those
eyes with the same evil look were fixed
upon him; the pcrnicious grin on his
face betrayed the evil thought of his
heart and sent IA chill over the frame OF
our hero.
Don't be uneasy" he said, in low
tone :" | ain goin' to give you away.
How hateful he seemed, and Walter
! spurned him with the contempt he de-
served.
Pinkey made her appearance, took
the arm of the new farm hand, and
they walked through the crowd, that
had gathered about the door to the
stiles. Walter assisted Pinkey to don
her riding skirt and mount her horse,
then sprung upon his own animal and
rode by her side. The woods were
alive with reckless horsemen, and thcil
shouts would make one think that 9
grand fox chase had been :naugurated
We can not describe tEat ride home
Walter refers to it to-day as the hap
piest hour of his life. What did they
talk aboutP Of the trees, the blue
SKY, the deep forest and fairy-illC
dells; but be the subject what it might
their eyes spoke a deeper, holier Ian.
guage than words can, The glancet
given and returned were tie commun.
ings of fond hearts. When Walter as
sisted the beautiful daughter of his
employer to alight his hand trembled
as it touched hers. The road seemed
far too short, and he wished it would
extend indefinitely, and that Pinkey
might be his companion. No words
were spoken, but each understood the
other, and Walter felt troubled at the
thought
When she had dismounted Pinkey
ran up to her room to undress and cry,
while Walter led the horses to the
barn, and 80 contemplate his own sad
fate--a cruel fate that made him love
an object so far above him.