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


want you to amuse yourselves here for
a while, for 1 may come back in an
hour. l an, sorry to go, but can't
we'll refuse
"Do you go for love, pity or the pitch
err" asked Mr.. Cathcart, smiling.
For the pitcher" replied Kate, hon
estly. 81 can't pretend to love Madame
Burrill; I'm afraid | don't pity her much
either; but do want the pitcher"
And then she was gone, and we were
left to our own resources. Mr.. Cath
cart asked Louise to play a slumber-
song he bad admired, and our broken
whist evening was changed into mu-
steal. Louise went on from one thing
to another, played exquisitely, as she
always does; and after awhile, Mr..
Cathcart having fine bass voice, he
and she were singing duets. | was audi
ence part of the time, and part of the
time | read q novel. Then Aunt Lydia
sent us III a delicious little supper of
oysters and chocolate, and looking at
the clock we were surprised to see how
late it was.
Il wonder what poor Kate is do.
ingP" said, as / slipped my fragrant
chocolate from dainty gold and brown
cup.
''Now isn't it a curious study in hui.
man nature" said George Cathcart,
"to watch how such a thing as this
china craze can so absorb lady
mind that every thing else in life sinks
into insignifcance? | value an heir
loom as much as anybody, but for these
CT, cked dishes from other people fam
lilies | have no fancy"
"Well, | don't know" put in Louise,
in her gentle voice. "The other day
my old nurse gave me very pretty
china plate that had belonged to her
grandmother. She told me quite a
story about it, and it really made me
feel little bit like being collector my
self.
Don't, for Heavens sake?' ex-
claimed George Cathcart, with an ardor
that made us laugh.
We left the house at last without see
ing Kate, and she never told me how
late it was when she returned. Mr.
Cathcart accompanied us home, and the
; walk seemed unusually short, he was so
: pleasant and entertaining.
/ 'If Kate really loves him, said to
Louise in our room that night, 81 won
der that she ventures to neglect him
| So"
"She doesn't love him, " said Louise,
impetuously; "she is in love with an old
pitcher"
Mother went the next day to call on
Madame Burrill and to carry her some
whipped cream. She found the old lady
much DETER, sitting in her rocking-chail
as usual. The blue and white pitcher
also was there, for mother saw it her
self up in the cupboard But about {
week later, as was slowly walking oveI
to my Cousin Kate's to tell her an i'm
portant piece of news, met her coming
out of the street that led to Madame
Burrilps. She looked pale, but bright
and she carried the pitcher.
HAS she let you have it?' ex
claimed, as we walked on together.
"Oh yes" smiled Kate; ''she sent TO
me this time to say that she wanted
new dress and some wine, and would
like to have the ten dollars and tn
buckwheat at once, and l might tax
the pitcher.
We reached her house and went int
the parlor, where she set the pitcher Of
its topmost shelf.
'Superbr' she said. "But see new
! in your face, Harriet. What have yo
come to tell me?"
, 1--WE thought the relatives ought t,
| know it first" said, hesitatngly
"Louise was engaged last evening t
| George Cathart."
My cousin Kate sat down in the near
est chair, turned paIer than before, ant
then laughed. "Tell me, Harriet Up
t ham" she said, looking straight in M
face, "have | been foOl?"
mot that, dear" l answered, sooth
r ingly, "but little like Esau, perhaps.
''Sold my birthrght for a mess @
pottager' she exclaimed. "You ar
t right; but don't tell Louise | said SC
[ Give her my dearest love, and to-mol
7 row will come over early to congrar
ulate her. Mary L. Boiler Brdncl
, IN Harper'S s, BGzGr.