The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-12-18


so that they need not mix buckwheats
any more in my glorious beauty, for l
was afraid Miss Janet would break it.
So now it clean and bright up in the |
corner cupboard, and look at it when
ever / go there. l shall get it at last,
Harriet UphamN"
1t was during one of these reading
visits of Hates that the doctor came in |
to attend Miss Janet, who was far from
well. He told her plainly that her con-
slant confinement to the house, and her
waiting upon her mother by day and
sleeping with her by night, were break
ing down her health, sapping her vital
ity, and If he kept charge of the case he
must insist on her occupying a separate
room at night, a comfortable and we'll
ventilated one. So Miss Janet, wanting
to live and to get well, exerted herself to
prepare small room off the kitchen,
and at night, after establishing Madame
Burrill comfortably in the grand old
high-post bedstead, betook herself to
her own modest couch. There she slept
the sleep of the innocent till near mid
night, she was awakened by a clutching
at the bedclothes, and heard trcmu-
lous voice pleading: "Janet, Janet n "
l lie down on the floor by your beu!n
And thenIof course Jal Ht's heart melted,
and she threw open Fer bed to let the
old lady lie down by her warm SIDE
That ended the prescription.
"And do you think an old lady like
that will give you her ptcherP" Iasked,
when Kate told me the story.
"Oh, she's coming up to it," said
Kate. "She used to say she never
would part with it, but now she says it
doesn't seem as if she could part with
it, and that, you must see, is encourag-
ing. Oh, am sure to have it at last.
But it is provoking sometimes. l have
had to refuse two invitations to drive
with George Cathcart."
care you engaged to him, as report
says" | asked, bluntly.
mo, oh no." she said, with con-
scious look; ''but we are the best of
friends"
Then" said I, 81 would not refuse
his invitations"
"Work first, then play" she replied,
with an arch smile. That means
pitcher first then drives.'
But she did not smile when she came
to our house the next evening in her
ordinary street costume, while Louise
and l were just dressing for delight
full party given by one of the incest fam
lilies in town.
aren't you goingP" we exclaimed
mo. Old Madame Burrill has had
a poor turn, and is dreadfully nervous.
She has sent for me to come and read
her to sleep, and says she will feel under
the deepest obligations to me. expect
to get the pitcher this very night, but it
Is annoying, for you know what lovely
gown meant to wear to the party"
So Kate missed one of the oh eff pleas
ures of the season, and was m ssed by
others as well. Soon after we reached
the brilliantly lghted@Farlors Mr.. Cath.
cart made his way to our corner, and
said that he had heard that Miss Gar.
land was detained by the illness of an
aged friend, and as he believed Miss
Louise was her substitute on such oc
casions, he should beg her to give him
all the dances Miss Garland had prom
ised him. Louise blushed rosily, looking
prettier than ever saw her before, anC
said she was not sure she liked being {
substitute. IE
"Oh, of course, shall expect all thu
dances should have begged of YOU
yourself bes des, " he replied, laughing
and led her away for galop. 1t cndet
in Louise being fairly belle that even
ing, which was the last thing we had
as family, expected of her.
Three days after, met Kate GU
shopping,
did you get the pitcherP" 1 asked.
: "Not yet" she replied, with a sombe
, look. II read aloud till eleven o'clock
: and then she suddenly dropped asleep
so there was no more to be said tina
f night, and | haven't seen her since.
| want you and Louise to come to m
house this evening to play whist. Mr.
| Cathcart will make fourth. Do come.
/ | promised for Louise and myself
t and after an early tea we had pleas
2 ant walk across the town to Ccusil
5 Kate's lovely home. She showed u
> her collection of old china and pottery
5 and it was really quite impressive
, though the shelves We're by no mean
| full.
l "When l get Madame Burrill's blu
= and white pitcher, l shall set it at tn
S very top to crown the whole, she sal
glancing up with an anticIpatory pr dc
= Mr.. Cathcart came previously, an
: we four then established ourselved i
= the cosiest corner for a game. We wei
< Just fairly launched in it, Ehen the Zoo
e bell rang sharply, and a messe rgC
It entered to say that Madame Ba{ri
/ was suddenly taken worse, and .au
n see Miss Garland at once Kate husy
c hesitated, and laying her cards " Il
n table, arose.
5 "She thinks she is going to dia, 81
: means to g We me the pitcher, "she lSit
glancng at us.
|, l could not help thinking a.,
g Madame Burrill was like a malicyp
&c old fairy godmother, who knew by soy
l. subtle prescience just when to pract>
d her tyrannies with the most effect. Ks
l Laid ~ ,,-,A+,-