The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-05-22
Caroline Beatl.
CHAPTER I.

The sun was setting in glory of gold and purple. Caroline Heath glanced out at the window before which she stood washing up the cups and plates which had come out from tea She sighed un- consciously. Dimly and vaguely she was sensible of wishing that some things in this world had not been ordered just as they were There was so much de- passing work to be done, so little time for refined ease, for doing just what she should like to do Take the present moment If she could only go 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 she could not. She had these depressing tea things to wash and put away, and to leave the kitchen generally straight, then she had to turn the beds down upstairs; and, that done she must look after Joan, the servant, and see that she did her work properly, for she was not to be trusted
 Caroline put back a lock of soft brown hair that was straying on her forehead; her eyes were hazel, with rather sad, soft expression in them; her features delicate. The dress she wore was pretty enough, but only of cotton, and the sleeves were turned back at the wrists. A saddened life imparts its traces upon the countenance; and Caroline Heath life had been sad for three or four years now
 A lad of fourteen dashed boisterously into the kitchen swinging white lily h Mnly cups and saucers, Carrie, said he. l see John Albright coming across the rye field.
 No increase of color heightened the pink bloom of her cheeks, though John Arkright 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 midsum- mer holidays. :" brought it for you Carrie. Put it in your hair
 Nonsense, lad
 Its not nonsense. A girl ought to dress for her sweetheart, he went on with comic seriousness. Emma Will Hams wears flowers in her hair
 Emma Williams Is the squire $ 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 day. Here getting up" 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 a little, but bent her head. The lily was quite ill accord ance with the smooth bright hair and pretty girlish face, but not with the print dress
 "There, it looks-divine, 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 Mir. Arkright were standing to- gether at the side rails, looking across the fold-yard of the farm to the land beyond. Caroline walked slowly to- ward them and John Albright turned to shake hands with her
 Yes said he to Mir Heath, continu- ing what he was saving crops never looked more promising. Only let Us have fine weather for another month or two, and We shall have splendid har- vest"
 He can never talk of anything but his crops and his farm" was the thought that rose involuntarily 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 foldyard stood the cows being milked by Hodge and Joan; Joans tongue full of reproach on account of the lateness of the hour, Hodge excus- ing himself by saying he had been kept helping in the hayfelds, At an open window of the house sat Mrs Heath, attired in costly silk doing some foolish fancy work. Just then Tom ran up to them, the great dog, Rover, jumping about him.
 Mir. Heath took his arms of the rail ings. He was spare man, attired in white fustian with brooches and gaiters his face was good 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, Briarly, had few dwellings in it, farmhouses or laborers' cottages, and its inhabitants were homely and simple-mannered.
 The only fine lady in it apart from Squire Williams ladies, was Mrs Heath She was MT. Heath's second wife, and still under thirty. 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