The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-05-22

TOT ROOQ dHQ all UO tulS dlLT6cllNc ulA1 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 we'll in hand, and made no sign.
 One Sunday when the Heaths had been attending service, Mir. Albright walked with them home from church and was invited to remain for tea Car oline wished she could make an excuse to stay away from the parlor-in her own room-in the kitchen-anywhere Latterly, whenever she had thought of marrying him, she was conscious of a 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 neighbor's 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, Caroline?" he asked Mothers all by herself; she'd like to see us.
 \ shiver took Caroline, which she concealed by leaving her chair at the table and leaning out at the open win dow
 1 think I'd rather not go out this evening" she said: my head aches
 That's bad; you've had headache often lately" returned unsuspicious Mir. Albright; a walk might do you good '
 "Oh, no; it would make it worse. feel so tired"
 !" 1 wonder what's the cause? A young girl like you has no business with head aches, or to feel tired either
 1t is the hard, incessant work I have to do" said Caroline Intentionally.
 Hard work! Incessantl Why what do you mean, Caroline2" he said, full of surprise.
 Day in, day out, it's always the same work, work, work There's never any ending to it."
 Well, don't know what you can be talking of The work in this house isn't much; it's child's play compared with the work up at my place
 Yes, she said faintly; " l suppose it is"
 But you'll soon get into it. Caro- line, want you to fix the day The harvest will soon be over, and we must be married at the end of it.
 swift horror came upon her The setting sun seemed to darken. She reeled as she stood, as one smitten with a blow. Well, she must tell him. Could she tell him? She must, she must, she must. Now or never
 John,' she said putting one hand 11Y, t,N how lpotx- to ,NY,ch hnnly tho hoi and leaning for support against the side of the window-frame, "1-l am afraid should not be able to do the work at your farm I'm not strong enough for it. /"
 Eh?" cried he staring in amazement. What do you mean by that, Caroline? :? lou are as strong as you ever were. Is 1t the will that's wanting?"
 Perhaps it is, she answered, with desperate courage hate the thought of it with bitter hatred
 In all John Arkright's placid-going and stolid life he had never been SO ta- ken-to as now: never felt so much at sea
 " Do you mean you would not do the work?"
 mean 1 could not. 1 could not undertak ke to enter upon it. If l did it would kill me"
 He was sitting in large chair and he leaned back in it. his hands grasping it's elbows as he stared as Caroline. This was altogether a new experience
 But what is to be done then?' he said, presently. The wife 1 marry must be able to work and to manage"
 I'm sure could not, It had better not be me. John don't you see it will be to your interest to choose somebody else. Ifyou would but think of Martha Brand?"
 Well, this is a queer start-if you are not saying it in joke cried the be- wildered man.
 :" 1 have seen for some time, John. that we were not suited to one another; it has distressed and troubled me" she said i'll low tone. :" hate the life of farmhouse drudgery which I am com pelled to lead here; rather than lead it always l would pray to die. Do have compassion on me, John, and take Mar tha Brand
 But like you best
 "Oh, John, you are kind Have pity upon mel
 What would folks say?" cried John.
 Anything they liked Let them Marthas good girl, John; pretty, too, and the best of managers. I'm sure she d have you"
 :" 1 dare say she would if asked her. Time enough to think of that. One cant put off wives and take on others at a moments notice"
 But you will release me? You will forgive me?
 What else can I do?" he retorted helplessly. When you tell me that the work up at my place would kill you, you don't leave me much choice
 " We do not make ourselves, remem- ber and are not responsible for our tastes and distastes thank you grate- fully, John. We will be the best of friends always, but nothing more It is settled then?'