Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-24
A ROMANCE OF THE NoRrHwEs1

AASeDeAA~A4D4S
the Queen Of Caribou.
From the Victoria Colonist.
Among the large estates In chancery there is
one likely to be withdrawn this year under very
romantic circumstances, which has stood for
twenty years with no heir apparent. It is located
In Hampshire, near the beautiful village of Hurs-
ley, about seven miles north OF Southampton
Just beyond the village limits stands an imposing
mansion, surrounded by many acres OF beautiful
grounds that In years gone by were veritable
paradise, so perfect were they kept in point Of
landscape gardening. There was q period when
Heathdale presented the picture OF animated life.
In those days the name Of Heathdale was SYM
Dolical with grandeur, splendid banquets lovely
women, noble men and the creme de La creme Of
English society. Sir Charles Heath was man Of
the world, passOnately fond OF social distinction
and possibly vain of his magnificent estate and
guests. Being an only son he was nurtured ten
uerly, and as he approached manhood he was
taught to look upon Heathdale as his own, and
with 1t all the power and aristOcratc beartngSuch
possession implied. The first Lady Heath, his
mother, died when he was child, and Sir Charles,
The son inherited all the naughty mien and
intelligence OF his race, and acquitted himself
creditably at Oxford. Hewas handsome almost to
fault, and his commanding presence inspired
that Difference and respect which he invariably
expected even from his most intimate associates.
mothers and fair young women. but he was alike
implacable to them ALL and when in his twenty.
third year his father died, Sir Charles was un-
without wife for his palatial home and no pros
pect of heir, as the Heath family was nearly ex-
tinct in the direct line Of male descendants. It
was during the following three years that Heath
dale presented the life and gayety previously
mentioned, and Sir Charles found the grand old
though rather mOnOtOnOuS when left to himself
and servants. About four years after his fathers
death sir Charles planned an extended tour OF the
AmertcOn continent, and Heathdale was closed to
the world and left In charge OF an old family but
Ter.
Sir Charles sailed for New York and nothing
was heard from him for several months, aside
from an occasional letter to his solicitors in Lon
don. A year passed, and Sir Charles did not re-
appearance. Anxious friends called upon his
solicitors for news, but in vain; the last letter
ceived from Sir Charles had been sent from British
Columbia In the tenth month OF his absence, in
which he stated that he would probably return in
the spring, and with him mistress for Heath
dale. Five years passed, and communication with
the absent one had entirely ceased; in fact, he
was lost to his friends and to the world. His sOc-
tors advertised everywhere for Information,
and as time rolled on Sir Charles Heath was for
gotten by his associates and Heathdale fast going
to destruction for the want OF proper attention,
finally found its way into chancery.
After all these years the solicitor in London has
obtained faint clue to the mystery OF Sir Charles
disappearance, and to fully investigate the matter
an agent was sent to this province find the heir
TO the Heath property. From this gentleman's
version it appears evident that the missing heir is
tity. Sir Charles visited British Columbia in the
year 1858, and, being fond OF hunting and adven-
ture sought the widest spot for sport In the Sell
kirk range with small hunting party. His CON-
panlonS were Americans and he dropped the Sir
from his name, concealed Ills real identity, and
Was ast known to his companions as plain Charlie
racy "reminiscences OF travel and generous to
fault. 1t was about this period that the Caribou
excitement was at its height, and, like thousands
OF Others, Charlie Heath and companions were
drawn thence by stories OF fabulous wealth.
About two months after young Heaths advent
IN Caribou there came stranger, accompanied by
his daughter, then girl OF Is years. The new
conner built cabin, staked off a claim, and took
up mis- routine work with the rest, delving deeper
ana deeper into his drift, with what success only
himself knew. The young girl was seldom observed
in camp, and her naughty lnien prevented even the
most daring young gallant from any attempt at
and even her name was not known, consequently
she was dubbed one night in Oppenheimers saloon
by an Intoxicated admirer the Caribou Queen. The
father was man of gentlemanly bearing, past
the middle age, and evidently an American, whose
fortunes had been swept away in that country.
the soubnquet OF sold Caribou AS the months
passed away it was whispered through the
and this belief became more certain from his
strange reticence. Various were the SUMS at
tached to his claim, and the Queen was placed
In new light before the camp, as a catch worth
having. Despite his descent Charlie Heath was
conscious OF all these things and the very exclll-
siveness OF the Queen and her utter indifference
worked as charm, and ere he was aware OF it the
young heir OF Heathdale was madly in love with
the Caribou Queen. AT first his wits We're severely
exercised TO shape excuses for visiting Old Carl
bou's claim, but as time passed on the Old gentle
man became less reticent, and seemed to look for
ward to the young mans visits with pleasure. Yet
young Heath was Obliged to Se Content ten With a am
occasional smile or nod, which only tortured bis
heart. The months passed into year, and the
new-iOund queen OF his worship that home and
friends were forgotten, and only one letter was
written to England, and In that he spoke OF bring
ing home mistress for Heathdalc TO win his
queen was his life. TWAS early spring OF Charlie
ileath'S second year in Caribou when fate gave
him a chance to WOO her.
The winter had been unusually severe and the
hardship was TOO much for the falling strength Of
Old Caribou. He was obliged to give up work On
continued TO grow worse, until the faithful
daughter became alarmed for his life and sent Tor
young young Heath as the only friend OF her father:
When the young man entered the cabin he found
her weeping by the bedside OF Old Caribou who
was apparently dying: Old Caribou called the
young man to him and tried to speak in reference
to his daughter, but his tongue was paralized AS
ii divinins his thoughts young Heath deliber-
ateiy asked do Ior The daughter in marriage, at
world and revealing his identity. Caribou
smiled SarcaStically he listened TO the
and IL for pens and
all, and II he then desires to make you his VIE,
marry him." After the Old genLleman's demise
he was quietly buried, and Heath was alone with
the Caribou Queen. she told him the history Of her
fathers life. Old Caribou was an ex-bank presl-
dent or San Francisco, who had become involved
In mining ming stock speculation, and was obliged
TO flee The country. Love is beyond the common
principles OF life that regulate the laws OF social
standing, and young Heath herOically buried old
afterward the Caribou Queen was married
to Charlie Heath and became Lady Heath
OF Heathdale, Eng. 1t must not be supposed
that she was without dOwry, for the rumOrs OF
Old CaribOu's wealth were well founded and
within his treasure bag many a shining nugget
nVf M &c Tn -
was SO rich that young Heath concluded TO re-
main another year and work 1t ere returning to
England with Lady Heath. new home was
built, and, despite the marriage, the Caribou
Queen was the ideal Of many miners, who were
satisfied with one glance at her lovely face
immigration ceased, and those who had only mod
crate success lett the camp for the new excite
ment on Skeena river. About this time an event
happened in Caribou that created great Sensa-
ton. A young miner called at HeathS cabin re-
garding certain claim matters, and to his aston
her arms, upon whom She gazed with that in
describable mOther-lOve we have all known once
In our infancy. The news spread throughout the
camp that night, and the occasion was duly cele-
DRAFTED at OppcnheinerS by Publication, during
which many a toast was drank for the little prince
event happened which caused the estate OF Heath
dale TO 20 into chancery. Charlie Heath was
killed by falling rocks in drift OF old CarfbOus
claim and his body was never recovered soon
aIter TINS the young mother and child disappeared
from Caribou and have never since been heard
the agent is now in British Columbia and IL the
missing heir Is discovered Heathdale win he taken
from chanCefy and the Caribou queen will have
the satisfaction OF seeing her child It's MASTER