The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-06-26

the nnlSnlng bOucneS 10 mel COlleJ,
when she heard a little tumult in the
house, but thought nothing of it. I
should have told you that my grand
mothers death had placed her at the
head of affairs. She went on, there
fore, arranging her dress, when pale
faced servant rushed in and begged
her to come to the foreign gentleman's
room and see what was the matter.
My mother hcsitated, and asked where
her father was, and why he had not
been appealed to-; but the servant was
in so great agitation and alarm that
she was obliged to yield to her entrea-
| ties.
guest chamber-and lighted by Soon
ces. In the middle of it and on can
opted bed lay Signor Bolacca in full
dress, but CHASTITY pale and suffering;
the servants were all about him, en-
deavoring to relieve him, and fright
ened half out of their wits. A faint
odor of coffee prevailed the atmos-
phere. My mother opened the win
dows, applied restoratives and had the
satisfaction of seeing the gentleman re-
vive, but was interrupted in her minis
trations by messenger and note inn
ploring her to come instantly to her
friend and neighbor Lily Van Colt.
Imagine what predicament for her to
be in! Dressed for ball, the whole
house lighted and decorated, the per-
son for whom the entertainment was
in honor i'll on her hands, and another
friend beseeching her presence as if her
life depended on it. And, indeed, her
life was in danger, as my mother soon
discovered from the messenger. Quick
ly giving her orders, and summoning
physician, my mother drew a cloak
around her and hurried to her friend.
The same sight met her eyes. Lovely
Lily Van Colt in all the bravery of ball
attire was stretched motionless and
speeches. on her bed, and the
same odor of coffee filled the atmos-
phere. Her husband was frantic, her
attendants helpless. My mothers sus-
picions were now fully aroused; but
she maintained her GOODNESS and COM
posture, and camly administered stimu-
lants. She had the satisfaction of see
ing her friend rally, and able to ex-
plain that she had been taken i'll after
drinking cup of coffee; and as the
physician had arrived, my mother
FASTENED home.
"She was just in time to receive her
guests-a throng Of whom were pour
ing into the drawing room. My grand
father was very much annoyed and sur
prised at her absence, and still more
: disconnected that the chief guest of the
evening was unable to appear.
my mother was equal to the occa.
sion, but watched long in vain for the
r arrival of Vanessa. Would she come
l or would she stay awayP Had she the
courage to invoke the shades of dark
ness in dealing these deathly blows
l and yet the cowardice to dread the re
. sultP Evidently to stay away woulC
: provoke comment, and that was some
g thing not be desired. She came-lat,
in the evening when many had left
a in her customary brilliancy of dres
4 and manner; but my mother noticed
: that she was feverishly restless and i'm
n patient; that in spite of her clever tall
$ and easy grace her color came and wen
l like flashing lightning, and that sh
It avoided her, and was in haste to de
+ part. Perhaps her own suspicion
colored her criticism; for she has tol,
: me that Vanessa had for her the fas
}. cination of a basilisk, and that sh
d could not keep her eyes off of heI
: My mother you see, had a quick wit
: She had made some inquiries, an
G found that the package addressed t
,; Signor Bolacca in Vanessa's hand
/. writing contained coffee, that it ha
: been sent as if by an anonymous aC
e mirer, begging the signere to accept
e as something especially rare and de
l. liclous.
l. "This the signore had done, and on
t, of the servants had prepared it accorC
"a ing to his directions in little Frenc
+, tin, which he always carried in h
3 travelling case, and served it in a Gu
& of the willow pattern Indian chin;
n which was the common breakfast sci
l. vice. The signore had drank it, lea7
n only drop or two in the cup, whic
my mother saved. The package, to-
q was laid aside, and the paper on whic
r was the superscription. A similar pacl
l age had been left at Mrs. Van Colt
lie without any address, and Lily's Sc
t. wants had used it as a matter of courS
as supposing it came in the eustomal
N way from the grocer, but the curiol
to fact that the servants were all Engli'
people and cared only for tea, savC
70 them from drinking it. Mr. Van Cot
f. too, had dined early, having busine
lg in Communipaw, so that Lily was res
if ly the only sufferer. Both packag
by were examined by a chemist, al
n found to contain a large quaint
o. of arsenic-so much, indeed, tn
w it had overshot the mark, and n
h done its insidious butm deadly wor
ut "And now you will expect to he
sa some startling details, but | have no
1t. to give you. The victims of this afr
gs cious attempt both recovered. Sign
is Bolacca left the oountry-with VIII
We impression l leave you to imagir