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

now never felt so much at sea.
Do you mean you would not do tht
work %
Il mean / could not. | could not under
take to enter upon it. If | did it woulc
kill NE.
He was sitting in large chair and he
leaned back in it, his hands grasping its
elbows as he stared at Caroline. This was
altogether a new experience.
But what is to be done them" he said
presently The wife | marry must be
able to work and to manage"
81 Pm sure | could not 1t had better not
be me. John, don't you see it will be to
your interest to choose some body else II
You would but think of Martha Brandt
well, this is queer start-if you are
not saving it in Joke, cried the bewildered
man.
Il have seen for some time John, that
we were not suited TO one another; it has
distressed and troubled me-" she said in a
low tone II hate the life of farmhouse
drudgery which | am compelled to lead
here rather than lead it always | would
pray to die. Do have compassion on me,
John, and take Martha Brand"
" But like you best"
"Oh, John, you are kind. Have pity
upon me-"
"What would folks say? cried John.
Anything they liked. Let them. Mar
thasa good girl, John pretty, too, and the
best of managers. | am sure she'd have
you"
q dare say she would if | asked her.
Time enough to think of that One can't
put off wives and take on others at mo-
ment's notice"
But you will release me? You will
forgive me-"
What else can do?" he retotted help
leSsly. when you tell me that the work
up at my place would kill you, you dom
leave me much choice"
ave do not make ourselves; remember,
and are not responsible for our tastes and
distastes. l thank you gratefully, John.
We will be the best of friends always, but
nothing more. 1t is settled them"
IS expect SO. Be sure of one thing-I
would never marry an unwilling woman.
Yes, it's settled.
The great and overwhelming sense of
relief which had stolen over Caroline kept
her silent. How grateful she was to him
for the quiet and reasonable way in which
he had met the offered slight, heaven only
knew 1t was as if glorious sun dawn
had replaced dark and interminable
night.
And in her meetings and her walks with
George Rochester there now lay no prick
ing OF conscience.
One evening close upon September, when
the lovely hues of sunset last far into the
cleaning, and the late birds carol forth
their evening chat, Caroline Heath was
walking down the winding lane from the
house of Squire Williams, when she found
herself oyertaken by Mr. Rochester. On
the left brook meandered silently along
at the foot of q grove Of trees; involuntar-
lily, as it seemed. both turned toward it.
There was a path amid the trees which
equally led TO the high road. Mr.. Roches-
ter spoke abruptly.
Will you forgive me, Caroline, if | ask
you what you may deem an impairment
question:"
/ do not think you could be imperti-
nent," she answered softly.
"Thank you; not willingly. Is it 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.
heard the rumor yesterday. Is it sc?''
1t is true | was engaged to him. 1t was
a sort of-of-business engagement" she
strove to explain; that is, he and my
father settled it between them. When
found how impossible it was that | could
could-like the prospect, | asked Mr.. Ark
right to release me, and he did so. He be-
haved very kindly over it,
He looked down at her changing counte-
nance. 1t was not the rosy light of sanset
that made it 50 lovely, for that was lost in
gray clouds.
All in a moment, without notice, he
drew her to his side and kissed her passion
ately.
My dearest love " he whispered; my
darling Caroline"
He released her instantly, saying no
more. But, after that, life wore new as
pect for Caroline Heath.
This lasted for a fortnight, land then the
shadow fell. There came down to Norton,
which was an inland watering place of gay
resort, some ladies of fashion, including
Mr.. Rochester's mother and his cousin,
Grace Ormby. Mr.. 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 friend
" at the Grange. but she knew no more.
One afternoon, however when Caroline
had gone to the Grange by invitation, and
was in the drawing-room with Emma
Williams and her mother, a carriage 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 Roches-
ter? Surely not 1t might be only coin
cidence in names.
Lady Rochester shook hands with Mrs.
Williams and Emma, and glanced at the
pretty girl, in the simple frock, who stood
up in honor of her entrance. But Caroline
was not introduced. 1t might please Emma
Williams to be friendly with her as
neighbour 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 intricate mys-
terry of silks and beads on crimson satin.
Emma went to sit near her mother, and
Joined in the conversation.
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.
viii YOU come with me, Caroline ?n
whispered Emma as she went to the little
work table for the scissors and the two
girls went ont together.
II suppose that lady is no relation to
Mr.. Rochester; but the names the same"
remarked Caroline, as they bent over the
bed of mignonette.
No relation! Why, she is his mother
answered Emma.
His motherl'' exclaimed Caroline, as
she rose and Strengthened herself.
'To be sure Why should she not be?
You 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 some
what bewildered.
Miss Williams laughed. How silly you
are, Carry. Great and grand y 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 successful issue,
was knighted for it, and became Sir John.
dare say George, in his turn, will be Sir
George some day"
And he can stoop to WOO me n thought
the disrnayed girl. as she bent over the bed
again. !" Does he, though? or has it been
all play ~
He is engaged to his cousin, Grace
Ormby," TRANQUILITY ran on Emma, who
had not the least notion how the land lay
in the other quarter.
40 ~ &c ,al 4 10