The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-01-09

CNOAA
poor Sim died and"
'"There, there, my good soul, be quiet
or you will make me nervous, and that
would be terrible said Dick, good-na-
turedly, as he finished writing line or
two upon a slip of paper. "Here, tell
the little one what fuel ard groceries
you need to make yourself comfortable,
and he will run down TO the, store below
and order them up. They will send the
bill to me. Now order all you need,
and will step in and see you in the
morning"
"Suc6 feeling, such nobility" said
the lady. II trust, SIR, that you will al
low me to share the expense.
"My God" exclaimed Dick, turning
pale; that voice again. II would know
IL anywhere"
She arose to her feet, retaining
hold upon the chair, and, as the dim
rays from the little lamp on the mantel
fell upon her face, he sprang to her
side, crying:
"Alice, my darling, look at me, speak
TO me again"
She sank back into the chair again,
and said, in tones of unutterable sad
ness:
"Alas! I can not look at you. can
not see you. / am blindr'
He staggered like drunken man,
and reeled against me. grasped his
hand, which was as cold as ice, and
babe him be man. Controlling HIM
self by an almost superhuman effort, he
knelt at her feet, and said, softly:
Sand that is why you gave me up"
eyes"
"You could not trust my love. Think
ing that because the light of your dear
eyes had been dimmed / could forsake
you. Was it lack of eonfidencep"
mo, no." she answered hastily,
mot that, not that. 1t was that you
should take me, even though / was
blind, and l be a burden to you. 1t
was very strange and sudden" she con-
tinued, YEARLY. My sight began to
fail me for some unknown cause, grow
ing worse and worse uAtil it was be-
yond the power of human skill to re-
store it. then returned your ring,
and almost heart-broken gave you up.
l could not bear to be burden or put
| your love to such test. We went to
Europe as last resort, but physicians
could not help me, and totally blind, /
returned to America with my father
We took up our residence in this city,
where he is striving to repair his shat
tered fortune. ], to forget my sorrow
and affection in administering to
Others"
"And a good angel she is, sir" said
the woman whom they had both be-
friended, while the children chung to her
skirts and stared in open-meuthed won.
derment at the progress of the denou.
ment."
"But now, my darling" ssstDick,
with all the impetuous ardor of young
lover, and entirely forgetful of his sur.
roundings. II am rich. have more
than enough for both, and you can never
be burden. Surely you would not re-
fuse me now, after all these years o.
trial"
would you always love the blind
wife as you loved the happy girl whose
eyes spoke the owners love for your
she asked.
GAS have always loved her."
at would be sin to spurn such low
as yours, hshe murmured, with swee
smile, as she tenderly stroked his hand
some face. In answer, he drew RIM
from his pocket and slipped it upon he
fore-fnger
II have never been without it, h
said, as he kissed her shapely hand.
James," she said, turning towar
her phlegmatic attendant, who was dis
cretely looking in an opposite direction
during this scene, "the Trinity bell
striking eleven; we must 90 home"
''Let me be your escort, Alice, wit
James for guide. can not lose 70
again, so soon. Wait for me in m
room, Lyn, if you are not too tired
will return in an hour or So" An
with the old, sunny-smile upon his nj
BILE face, Dick led his beautiful betrothe
away, followed by innumerable bless
ings from the poor creature who ha
: thus strangely been the means of rel
: hitting them.
went to his room and ensconcin
myself in his favorite chair, awaite
: his return, smoking and thinking vigo
ously. He had much to tell me whe
J he came. They were to be married
i three months, and were to live in I'll
prettiest and cosiest of places and lea
the happiest of lives. She was u
dearest of women, crowned by an affe
ton that made an angel of her, and
: was the most blessed of men. The o
letters were carefully gathered up al
}, reverently laid away, with many sci
! reproaches on his part, that he had ev,
S destroyed any, that he had ever doubtC
her.
The sequel had come after mar
L years, bringing added happiness. T
/, night, in the embers of the fire, OF
d see this loving couple. He, one of n
lures noblemen, gentle and kind
b with no thought save that Of unr
J. strained affection for his beautiful wifi
9 whose eyes are but heavily-curtsin,
windows to a noble soul, She Sc
through him; he is her sight and she
!, his life; they are each Others happipe'
IS And, as muse, am happy, for Ikno
70 that in this cold, empty world there a