The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-05-22
Nearly two miles" replied the

Thank you. IhlS seems to be charming neighborhood."
 It is, sir
 The guard, having stacked the lug gage on the pathway, was mounting to his perch behind the coachman touched up his horses, and the old-fashioned stage rolled along on it's way; the pas senger who had spoken taking off his hat in parting salutation, meant proba- ply for the young lady who wore the lily.
 The stage coach went onward and was soon lost to sight; the guests for Squire Williams disappeared up the lane, fra grant with the wild roses and honey suckle in its hedges. Farmer Heath crossed the road on his way to the far rier's; Caroline remained leaning on the gate.
 By George, wasn't that a handsome fellow!" calculated Tom. He's the ngineer-in-chief, I'll lay, Did you no- tice him, Carrie
 She did not answer; perhaps did not hear. In that mans eyes she had rec ognized something of kindred spirit to her own, and feeling was stealing over her of the glowing possibilities W II she could only meet them-only be emancipated from this dull, dreary ex- stence and go out to find them. Ah, it was a sad world.
 What nice blue eyes he had" went on Tom. He was looking at you, Carrie, all the time. 1t was the lily did that Oh, yes, he's the chief of en-
 What have blue eyes to do with en- gineeringl" inquired Mir. Arkright
 A great deal when they are set in such fine fellow as that" laughed Tom, as he passed through the gate with Rover,
 Will you not put on your hat and come out for walk, Caroline?" said her lover
 The crimson was slowly fading out of her cheek, called to it by Toms remark about the stranger looking at her She turned round.
 should like to go very much a walk would be pleasant this lovely even ing, but l have not time. l have things to see to yet, and 1 feel very tired"
 "Tired?"
 Yes have been hard at work all day, one way or another.
 She walked across to rustic seat un- der tree and sat down; it was out of sight of the gate; Mir. Arkright slowly | followed, and took a seat on the same l bench It was lovely sky
 Caroline, when are we to be mar ried?"
 The question sounded so abrupt, for she had been thinking of anything 1 rather than that, that she started and colored painfully. He had placed his hands on his knees, bendnga little for ward to look into her face and thus awaited the answer
 '' do not know; have not thought about it, she said, hesitating uncomfort- ably. Not yet"
 Not yet?-but why not? What do l you mean? It is close upon six months now that have been waiting for you.
 mean that I-would rather not think about it yet. Please don't ask me to, Mir. Albright.
 But must ask you don't be unrea- sonable. did think of asking you to let it be before harvest; but that's such a busy time with us it might be best for mother to stop on till it's over; she knows the work and is used to it. You q hardly be able to do as much as she does at first, and don mean to go to the expense of another house girl he ad- ded, holding out his hand to Rover, then trotting along the path.
 " So mother has fixed to leave me af- ter harvest he continued, for Caroline did not speak And right sadly we shall miss her. She is fifty-fve next October, and as active as she was at five and-thirty She'll be sorry to go too; a life of ease and idleness, such as she Il lead at Bessy's, won't suit her, she says, after her busy life. l question whether you'll ever make the bustling capable woman that my mother has been, Caro- line
 Caroline pressed her hand to her eyes and forehead to press back the binding pain gathered there. Never until this moment had she fully realized the liv- ing death upon which she would enter when she became John Arkright's wife
 " But do not think I am dissatisfied, or wish to grumble, Caroline" resumed Mir. Albright. "I am quite pleased to take you as you are; and you'll learn experience with every year that passes. V
 " Are you sure you care for me very much, John2' she rejoined, in low, COnIluenJlal tone, some Wllu WISH or asking him to emancipate her if he did not surging up in her heart.
 Why, ofconrse do; there's nobody else care for he answered, in some surprise. " Is it because 1 walked out of church on Sunday afternoon with Martha Brand and her brothers, and then stayed to tea with them up at their farm, that you ask? You are not jeal- ous of her, are you Caroline?"
 "Oh, no, I am not jealous of her, or of any one" murmured the girl She would make you rare good wife, John :; better than
 Who would? Martha Brand? Well, perhaps so, if you were not in the way, " he added, in the matter-of-fact tone which distinguished all he said; she $ got her head on her shoulders the right