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

uncOnSclouSy. DImly and vaguely she
was sensible of wishing that some thing:
in this world had not been ordered lust a.
they were. There was so much debasine
work to he done, so little time for refined
ease, for doing just what she should like tc
do. Take the present moment. If she
could only so out to watch the gorgeous
splendor Of the sky before the crimson and
gold and purple faded away into gray, and
indulge IN elevating thoughts. and draw
pictures Of an ideal life
But Size could not She had these de-
pressing tea things to wash and put away,
and to leave the kitchen generally straight
then she had to turn the beds down UP
stairs; and, that done, she must look after
Joan, the servant, and see that she did her
work properly, forshe was not TO be trusted
Caroline put back lock of soft brown
hair that was straying on her forehead
her eyes were hazel, with a rather sad, soft
expression in them her features were del
icate. The dress she wore was pretty
enough, but only of cotton, and the sleeves
were turned back at the wrists. A sad
dened life imparts its traces upon the
countenance, and Caroline Heath's life Lad
been sad for three or four years now.
A lad Of fourteen dashed boisterously
into the kitchen, swinging a white lily in
his hand. Make haste over your cups
and saucers, Garry, said he; I" l see John
Albright coming across the rye field"
No increase OF color heightened the pink
bloom Of her cheeks, though John Ark
right was her lover; soon, people said, to
be her husband.
Where did you find that lovely lily,
Tom?
Down by the brook" answered the
boy, who was at home for the midsummer
holidays. Il brought it for you, Garry
Put it in your hair"
Nonsense, lad"
81 It's not nonsense. A girl ought to
dress for her sweetheart, he went on with
comic seriousness. Emma Williams wears
flowers in her hair"
Emma Williams is the Squire's
daughter. She has not to work all day, or
to see that others work"
Carrie" said the young fellow, sitting
down on low stool and staring up at her
don't you wish Mrs. H. was hanged ?"
Hush, Tom"
"Well, do; hundred times a day.
Here getting up" l shall put it in your
hair all the same; you've as much right to
wear flowers as Emma Williams has.
Keep still now"
His sister laughed little, but bent her
head. The lily was quite in accordance
with the smooth, bright hair and the pretty
girlish face, but not the print dress.
There, it looks-divlne, cried Tom,
having arranged it to his satisfaction.
Mind you don't take it out again"
He vaulted off Caroline finished what
she had to do in the kitchen, and went into
the front garden. Her father and Mr.. Ark
right were standing together at the side
rails, looking across the fold-yard of the
farm to the land beyond. Caroline walked
slowly toward them, and John Albright
turned to shake hands with her.
"Yes, =" said he to Mr.. Heath, continuing
what he was saying, crops never looked
more promising. Only let us have fine
weather another month or two, and we
shall have a splendid harvest"
"He can never talk of anything but his
crops and his farm, was the thought that
rose Involuntary to Caroline's mind as she
took up her station beside them.
The picture was one of rural plenty.
The sweet odor of new-mown hay came
from the meadows which were cut; wheat,
barley, rye, grew in other fields; in the
fold-yard stood the COWS being MIXED by
Hodge and Joan; Joan's tongue full of re-
proach on account of the lateness of the
hour. Hodge excusing himself by saying
he had been kept helping in the hapfelds.
At an open window of the house sat Mrs.
Heath, attired in costly silk and doing
some foolish fancy work. Just then Tom
ran up to them, the great dog, Rover, jump
ing about him.
Mr.. Heath took his arms off the ratings
He was spare man, attired in white fus-
tian with breeches and CATERS his face
was goed-natured but weak
." must step over to the farrier's. said
he he must come again to the brown
cob"
He walked slowly through the garden to
the front gate, which skirted the high road
This rustic place. BriarIy, had few dwell
ings in it, farmhouses or laborers' cottages,
and its inhabitants were homely and SIM
pie hammered.
The only fine lady in it, apart from
Squire Williams ladies, was Mrs. Heath.
She was Mr.. Heath's second wife, and still
under 80 When she came home to Briar
Farm, four years ago, she found staid old
working housekeeper in it, and Joan, the
rough maid of-all- work-Caroline and Tom
were at school. Mrs. Heath did not get on
well with the housekeeping, and discharged
her. replacing her with a genteel maid
from Norton. The maid, in her turn, did
not get on well with the work; proved to
be as fine and useless as her mistress. After
q 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 mistress and
master. ruling her weak, placid husband
with an iron will: and he dared not say
nav. In fact, it was time that Caroline did
come home, for she was in her eighteenth
wear, and would have come before but for
the new wife. So Caroline took the man.
apement of things it was so decreed by
her stepmother, and she soon found that
she had to take great deal of the work
also.
She had been doing it for three years,
and was not 81 Lines of care had gradually
settled around her sweet, tender mouth !;
but she kept her own secrets and never
complained, never spoke of her disappoint-
ed 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 well; 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-ta lie.
"Carrie," he suddenly said, helping him.
self to some thin -bread-and-butt how
do Won like John Albright ?"
@Oh, like him very well, papa" she
answered carelessly.
That's all right, then he wants to pay
his addresses to you" said Mr.. Heath.
Caroline gazed at the speaker in surprise.
ITO pay his addresses to me- she re
peated. Why, papa, he is ever so old.
"OId p cried Mr.. Heath. " He is only
80 this year. A fine young man, Caroline.
with a good farm at bis 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 an
swer. 4 thought had come flashing into
her mind a" By marrying him l should
get away from here, and escape drudgery.'
"You should remember, child. that a
proposal of marriage from man like Ark
right is not to be met with every day" said
her father. Many a girl in the neighbor-
hood would jump at him."
"Yes, suppose So Well, papa, ! will
think of it."
And that was how she became engaged