Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-06-05

in the front garden sent to 90 so by Mrs.
Heath, who was expecting some friends TO
tea-the garden gate opened and footsteps
came up to the path. Stepping out from
the bushes, Caroline found herself face to
face with the handsome young man who
had spoken from the top of the coach, with
the very self-same laughing blue eyes close
to her own.
3" beg your pardon, said the stranger.
This is Mr.. Heaths, | believe. Can see
him Pr
He is not at home Just now" she re-
Piled Mrs Heath is? Will she do?'
" Well-perhaps," he answered doubt
ingly, as he took a card from his poke
Will you kindly let it be taken to her?
What lovely roses y
Caroline took the card with the hand
which had no roses in it, and carried it to
! the sitting-Toom-a pretty room, its win
dow opening to the ground and looking to
the grass plat Mrs. Heath sat near it.
working an antimacassar in red and white
woods. She was little woman, fair and
! frivolous.
Dear me p she exclaimed, reading the
card. "Mr. George Rochester 1t makes
me think of the man in Jane Eyre Show
him in Caroline why on earth did YOU not
| do SO at once?''
He came in; the gentlemanly appear
| ance, well-bred manners and good looks
bespeaking for him a gracious reception
Mrs. Heath, who had been used to society
and had really lowered herself by marry
ing farmer, recognized his superiority at
once.
Taking the chair offered him, Mr. Roch-
ester explained his business. OF the little
body of engineers who had come down he
was the head and chief. Tom Heath was
right in that conjecture. He had now called
| to ask leave to erect tent for tools and
other purposes on one of Mr.. Heath's
fields, which overlooked the line to be
made-would Mr.. Heath give that leave?
" 1t will not damage the ground in the
| least, and will be quite temporary accom-
mediation" he explained. Mr.. Williams
Squire Williams, | believe you call him
down here-has allowed us to do the same
thing on his land and the tent is now be-
ing put up there"
Oh, 1 feel sure Mr.. Heath will not think
of objecting but perhaps he had better be
spoken to, said the wife. Caroline, you
can go and ask your papa; he is sure to be
with the hay-makers in the three-acre
field"
q think l had better go to Mr.. Heath
myself; and perhaps this young lady will
show me the way said Mr.. Rochester
! He bowed over his hat to Mrs. Heath and
left her presence. Caroline conducted him
out by little gate which opened direct ON
| to the meadows.
Some rural places are detestable and
some are charming; this is the latter" he
remarked, as they went along. 1t looked
! so green and cool here last evening" after
the hot railway journey and the dusty
coach drive afterwards that really wished
| to set up permanent tent in the place in
stead of temporary one"
| 90 Tt iS q very plpaSapt Snoi y answered
! Caroline.
81 like the scenery" he continued, look
ing at the broad stretch of green plains and
rising corn, intersected by groves of trees,
| by the winding river, all bounded by pur-
ple-brown line of distant hills rising against
the azure sky. Have you always lived
| here?i
Except when l have been away at
school,"
Your name, think, is Caroline Heath"
| He looked at her as he spoke, half smil-
ing. Caroline was surprised. How did
you know my name?" she asked.
| All did you think the little birds of
the air whispered it? | heard it Just now
at Squire Williams; his daughter told it
me-"
Caroline smiled too. "But why should
she tell it? Do you know the Williamses?"
did not know them, or any one else,
until to-day. Calling to put the same re-
quest to the Squire which l am about to
put to your father, | found that the lady
| the coach put down last night are Captain
and Mrs. Dennet, acquaintance of my
mothers. We all fell into conversation
| Upon my remarking that must come on
here to ask leave about the tent, Mrs. Den
! net said that very pretty girl was stand
| ing at the gate here last evening who wore
| lily in her hair. Miss Williams then said
it must have been Caroline Heath. That is
| how | know your name"
The girls face had never before had so
| many bushes on it. " Do you read much ?''
| he inquired, presently.
"No, wish l did. l have no time for
it | have to work"
The unconscious pathos III her voice
| touched Mr.. Rochester. " bought book
coming down yesterday it is a cheap edi-
| ton of Lytton Bulwer's Eugene Aram |
| will bring it to you if you like it,
"Oh, yes, should like it; but please do
not bring it. | cannot tell how long it
would be before could read it through and
return it TO you"
You need not do that / have quite
done with the book, and you are heartily
welcome to it. | have small edition of
Longfellow's poems with me; will bring
that Also
You are too good" murmured Caro-
line.
When they reached the three-acre field
Caroline pointed out her father who was
overlooking the haymakers. and returned
home alone. The next day small parcel
reached her, given into Toms hands by Mr..
Rochester, containing two books.
Haymaking went on in the glowing sum-
mer weather. The tents were up at the va
rious standing points, and the new railway
was beginning its work. Mr.. Rochester
was seen everywhere; he seemed to be al
most ubiquitous; and Caroline Heath was
often meeting him, indoors or out. If by
chance they met near one of the hayfields.
he and she would turn and make hay to-
gether Sometimes he would drop in to
Mrs. Heath's tea-table to discuss fashiona-
BILE topics with the lady scraps of news
from the great world, or political prospects
as touching upon agricultural interests with
the farmer. And now and again he would
be walking in the shady lanes with Caroline
under the moonlight.
The result was this long before the har-
vest was gathered, or the line of rail had
made much progress to the uninitiated eye,
Caroline's heart had gone out for good and
all to this attractive man. She loved him
with pure, passionate, ardent love- which
would abide within her for ever.
And he-what of his heart? About that
! there was less certainty. He kept his own
feelings well in hand, and made no sign.
One Sunday, when the Heaths had been
attending service, Mr.. Arkwright walked
with them home from church and was in
vited to remain for tea. Caroline wished
she could make an excuse to stay away
from the parlor-in her own room-in the
kitcheu-anywhere Latterly, whenever
she had thought of marrying him, she was
| conscious of vague rush of pain, which
turned her cold and almost seemed to blind
her.
After tea Mrs. Heath went out to pay a
visit at a neighbours house; the farmer
strolled into the garden, lighted his pipe
and sat down in the arbor; Caroline and
her stolid lover were alone. Tom had long
| ago gone back to school.
Will you walk with me up home, Caro-
| line2" he asked. Mothers all by herself;
she'd like to see us"
A shiver took Caroline, which she con-
cealed by leaving her chair at the table and
| leaning out at the open window.
81 think I'd rather not go out this even
| ing" she said my head aches"
"That's bad you've had headache
often lately" returned unsuspicious Mr..
Albright; !" a walk might do you good"
"Oh, no; it would make it worse. l feel