The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-05-22

and discharged her, re- placing her with genteel maid from Norton. The maid in her turn did not get on we'll with the work; proved to be as fine and useless as her mistress. After a time of discomfort such as Briar Farm had never before known, Mrs. Heath issued her veto that Caroline must come home and see to things. She was mis- tress and master, ruling her weak, placid husband with an iron will and he dared not say nay In fact it was time Caro- line did come home. for she was in her eighteenth year, and would have come before but for the new wife. So Caro- line took the management of things; it was so decreed by her stepmother, and she soon found that she had to take q great deal of the work also.
 She had been doing it for three years and was now twenty-one. Lines of care had gradually settled around her sweet tender mouth but she kept her own secrets and never complained, never spoke of her disappointed feelings, her crushed hopes; what she suffered she suffered in silence
 Six months ago, at the beginning of the year, her father had spoken to her. She remembered it we'll; it was the day that Tom had gone back to school, and Mrs. Heath was off to Norton, and she and her father were alone at the tea table
 Carrie" he suddenly said, helping himself to some thin bread-and-b butter, "h how do you like John Arkright?"
 "Oh, like him very we'll, papa" she answered carelessly.
 That's all right, then; he wants to pay his addresses to you" said Mir. Heath.
 Caroline gazed at the speaker in sur prise "To pay his addresses to mel she repeated. Why, papa, he is ever so old"
 "Old!" cried Mir. Heath :" He is only thirty-one this year. A fine young man, Caroline, with good farm at his back, and plenty of substance, Don't take up wrong fancies, my dear"
 Caroline was fishing tiny lump of sugar out of the basin to add to the sweetness of her second cup of tea. She did not answer A'thought had come flashing into her mind By marrying him l should get away from here, and escape drudgery
 You should remember, child, that a proposal of marriage from man like Arkright is not to be met with every day" said her father. Many girl in the neighborhood would jump at him. ''
 Yes, l suppose so. Well, papa, 1 will think of it.
 And that was how she became en- gagged to John Albright after thinking ot II for day. She respected hlm, but did not love him. Moreover, she had gradually awakened to the conviction that when she did marry her life work would not be changed, but only the scene of it. His mother who at pres ent lived with him. worked as hard as she did; his sister Bessie had done so till she married; it was the custom with there. John Arkright was well off; could have kept d managing house keeper and allowed his wife ease and rest; but such revolution in the state of affairs had never entered into his cal culation. Thus matters stood at the present time. Caroline was engaged to be John Arkright's wife, and he had no notion that the prospect, to her, did not look as bright as if adorned with June roses.
 How smart you have made yourselfI' cried Mir. Albright, as they drew close to the front gate.
 Smart' exclaimed Caroline ooh this" she added, laughing, suddenly remembering the lily in her hair: Tom put 1t there"
 Mir. Heath glanced at the lily, which he had not noticed before Pretty things, those lilies" he remarked, "so sweet and pure
 A rumble of wheels in the distance i gave token that the stage coach which brought passengers from distant rail way town, was approaching. Mir. Heath put his arms upon the low iron gate tC watch it pass; Caroline stood by him
 It was coming slowly up the hill, and appeared to be unusually crowded with passengers and luggage.
 What a load! exclaimed John Albright
 Oh, know quickly spoke Tom It Is bringing the engineers who are tC lay out the new line of railroad. Dick Williams told me they were coming this evening. Rooms are taken for them at the Golden Lion, at Norton"
 The coach came slowly on, and drew up close before MT. Heaths gate, per haps rather to his surprise. A gentle man and lady, elderly people, inside passengers, got out of it, and the guard began to.take some luggage from the boot.
 Is this the Grange, sir?" the lady asked, approaching Mir. Heath
 No, ma'am. This is Briar Farm"
 Dear mel Walter, We have got down at the wrong place. How stupid that driver must be l heard you distinctly tell him Mir. Williams, the Grange y
 All right, ma am" said the driver who had listened to the words with equanimity. This spots the nearest tc it"
 You must take this lane close by; a few minutes walk will bring you to the Grange" spoke Mir. Heath