The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-05-22

She wore a white, fresh, unpretending dress, with ribbons of the palest pink, and a straw hat wreathed with small wild roses. She was by far the prettiest girl there, the quietest, most retiring. most modest and the handsomest and most imposing, in her dainty robes of lace and blue silk, was Miss Ormby. Caroline regarded her from distance, and could not withdraw her fascinated gaze. To her jealous eyes Grace had all the bewitching beauty of an enchanted princess; her golden hair scintiiiated in the sunlight, her dark blue eyes were proudly beautiful Now she was stand ing the center of a host of worShipers, and now she was accepting an ice which one of them offered, and now she was dancing with George Rochester They seemed to be very very intimate, she and he, and Caroline's heart grew sick and cold Next she saw him dancing with Emma Williams; but he did not come to ask her
 Only once during all that bitter after noon did he approach Caroline in con verse; and then he entered Nlpon ordi- nary topics-the gay scene before them, the superb weather, and so on. We have not seen much of you the last week or SC" she took courage at what effort it cost her to speak calmly II have been very busy" he an swered Now that the line Is progress ing, it takes up more of my attention than it took at first, and while my mother is here, she claims from me most of my leisure time.
 "Of course; 1 understand that, said Caroline.
 But not word had he said of regret; not hint given that in time their for mer intercourse should be renewed. At that moment Miss Ormby crossed the lawn with Emma Williams. That is your cousin, l think said Caroline.
 "Yes that's Grace" he assented "She-"
 Mrs Heath came back to her seat then from the refreshment-room, and he did not finish his sentence. Close upon that he was told that his mother waited, and soon afterward Caroline saw Lady Rochester's barouche drive away, her self and Grace Ormby seated in it side by side, and George Rochester opposite to them.
 How very dark the s'ly had suddenly grown Caroline looked up to see if the sun still shone it was setting in clouds of crimson and gold. Was she quite unconscious that the change had only been wrought by his departure?
 The next day there was a wedding in Briarly church, quaint little church nestling in it's graveyard. John Ark right had espoused Martha Brand, and Caroline was bridesmaid
 !" It will show people that you are not pining all forlorn anyway" Mrs. Heath had remarked when Caroline was in vited to take the office on were a great simpleton, Carrie, to give John Albright up. Half the parish thinks it was he who gave up you; he may pro- test to the contrary till he's red in the face, and does, believe; they'll never believe him"
 There came another glorious sunset October was in now with its beautiful lights and changing foliage, reminders of the winter that would soon be at hand The snows and frosts, the dark days of the bitterest winter the world can know, could not match the winter reigning in Caroline Heaths heart Yet this sunset was very lovely even she, with all her pain, could notice that Every one was away at home, and she had seized the occasion to get an even ing to herself.
 She had gone down to the banks of the river, which in its strong current was just there almost like sea, and seated herself on bench which was close to it's brink, the bank rising be- hind her The water was running along swift and sure, just as runs away our life.
 If Caroline had never prayed earnestly before, she did then, as she sat there thinking She prayed that God, who saw all her hearts distress, would help her in the battle she was fighting It was very hard one She loved George Rochester with all the strength of a first passion, and he loved another. Should she be able to bear it and live?
 There came sudden splash, wild scream. Looking up, Caroline saw at distance something gold and azure in the water. It was Grace Ormby. In reaching over the bank for some pale blue-bells which grew there, she had overbalanced herself and fallen in.
 Caroline sprang up to go to her res cue-if indeed she might be able to accomplish it. A horrible thought surged into her mind, if Grace died was drowned-she could no longer stand between herself and George Roch- ester. She drove the demon away with a cry for pardon. God help me and her We both need it.
 Running swiftly along, she came oppo- site the spot where the girl was strug- gling, Clinging to the dropping branch of willow, she waded in yard or two, and was just in time to catch the float ing blue drapery as Grace was sweeping past Miss Ormby retained her con !, seriousness, and clung to Caroline with all the tenacity of the drowning
 If you hold me like that l cannot save you" called out Caroline through