The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-05-22

l was a pdtn 8I1lO the trees Wnlcn equally 1 led to the high road. Mir. Rochester spoke abruptly.
 Will you forgive me, Caroline, if ask you what you may deem an imper. tinent question:"
 II do not think you could be imper. tinent," she answered softly.
 Thank you; not willingly. Isit true that you were engaged to Albright, of the Glebe Farm, and is the engagement now at an end?"
 Caroline colored painfully How did you know anything about it?" she said.
 1 heard the rumor yesterday. Is it so?"
 Tt is true I was engaged to him. It was sort tof-of-business engagement" she strove to explain; that is he and my father settled it between them. When I found how impossible it was that 1 could-could-like the prospect 1 asked Mir. Arkright to release me, and he did so. He behaved very kindly over it"
 He looked down at her changing countenance. k was not the rosy light of sunset that made it so lovely, for that was lost in gray clouds. All in a moment without notice, he drew her to his side and kissed her pas sionately
 My dearest loye!" he whispered: my darling Caroline!" He released her instantly saying no more. But, after that, life wore a new aspect for Caroline Heath
 This lasted for fortnight, and then the shadow fell There came down to i Norton, which was an inland watering place of gay resort, some ladies of fash ion, including Mir. Rochesters mother and his cousin, Grace Ormby. Mr. i Rochester did not, whether by chance or design, mention this to Caroline She knew vaguely, by some remark of her step-mother, that party of gay ladies from town were staying at the Golden Lion, which was the chief hotel of the place, and that they had become friendly at the Grange, but she knew no more.
 One afternoon, however when Caro- line had gone to the Grange by invita- ton, and was in the drawing-room with Emma Williams and her mother, a car riage was seen driving in at the gates, and presently a servant announced the visitor:
 Lady Rochester
 The name startled Caroline Could the elegant woman, now entering in her silks and laces, her title preceding her, be at all connected with her lover George Rochester? Surely not It might be only coincidence in names Lady Rochester shook hands with Mrs. Williams and Emma, and glanced at the pretty girl, in the simple frock b0 cfooI m, ;y bonop oP bor fronoa But Caroline was not introduced. It might please Emma Williams to be friendly with her as a neighbor, but Farmer Heath's daughter, she thought, was not one to be presented to Lady Rochester.
 Caroline resumed the work she had been busy on with Emma-some intri- cate mystery of silks and beads on crim- son satin. Emma went to sit near her mother, and joined in the conversa- tion.
 Lady Rochester exclaimed at the sweet scent of the mignonette, which came through the windows, open to the ground. She said it was her favorite perfume of all perfumes Upon which Mrs. Williams made her daughter go out and cut some.
 Will you come with me, Caroline?" whispered Emma, as she went to the little workable for the scissors, and the two girls went out together.
 suppose that lady is no relation to Mir. Rochester; but the name is the same remarked Caroline, as they bent over the bed of mignonette
 Norelation! Why, she is his mother" answered Emma.
 His motherl' exclaimed Caroline, as she rose and strengthened herself
 ITO be sure. Why should she not be2 Y ou look as if it amazed you Caroline"
 But then-he must be-great and grand, different from what we have sup posed him-the son of Lady Rochester!" cried Caroline-thought and speech somewhat bewildered
 Miss Williams laughed How silly you are, Carrie. Great and grand!' We have always known who he is; any one can see that he's a gentleman. His late father John Rochester, brought some important engineering project to suc- cessful issue, was knighted for it, and became Sir John. 1 dare say George, in his turn, will be Sir George some day"
 And he can stoop to WOO mel" thought the dismayed girl, as she bent over the bed again. Does he, though? or has it been all play2"
 He is engaged to his cousin, Grace Ormby," tranquilly ran on Emma, who had not the least notion how the land lay in the other quarter.
 A dart as of poisoned arrow, seemed to be making havoc of Caroline Heath's heart. She moved little further away to hide her face. It was pallid as death.
 Is the engagement recent one?" she asked, when she could command her voice to indifference.
 Not at all. Lady Rochester was talking of it the last time she called here. Grace Ormby has large fortune. Mir George is wise enough to see on