Year: 1879

be married to Charlie Evans, in spite of the remonssTances of many of her friends, who knew the young man to be as unprincipled in morals as he was handsome ill person.

 Willful Caroline answered, to all re- monstrance: "I have loved him all my life; like him and I have promised to be his wife,"

 On the day that this engagement was announced, Joe sailed from America to study in Italy his art.

 There had eeen stormy scene the night before. When Caroline deliber- ately told Joe that her hand was irrevocably promised to his long dreaded rival, Joe's anguish was something too complete to be hidden; it's intensity and force shocked Caroline. She knew not what to say to this faithful lover of years to alleviate his pain. She boldly sprang to the defensive, and then to an aggressive course. She sharply, almost coarsely, reproved him for having lavished his heart upon one who could not by any possibility return his affection.

 They parted more in anger than in sorrow. Such was Caroline's caprice :; and Joe, renouncing all hope of happi- ness, tried to draw consolation from the sole reflection 1T have my art.''

 One August night, month before the time fixed for Caroline's marriage, 8 message was brought to her from the village that lay in the beautiful valley at the foot of the rolling uplands of Deersfeld. Close under the gateways there lived young woman who had been for several years seamstress at "The mansion" and who, gathering to- gether all her earnings, established her self with her aged mother in the modest cottage which she hoped to call home for happy lifetime. But ceaseless toll with the needle told upon her strength, and she had fallen 8 victim to consump- tion. Her days were nearly numbered, and she had sent the message to her "dear Miss Caroline, who had always been so indulgent," to please to come soon as possible to receive 8 dying woman's request.

 Caroline, although the hour was late, said, "I will go at once." As was her independent way, she started forth on her errand unattended, and bidding. her mother goodnight" added, do not be alarmed if remain until daybreak. D

 The moon was full, and the August night was almost as light as day. But day never casts such tender entrancing glances upon it's busy world as the shin ing night gives to it's spell-bound king dom.

 Caroline's pathway lay along ter race bordering grove of locust-trees of great height, and so foliaged that the arches of their branches opened a ger spective that seemed, this enchanted night, more like temple than a grove. Beyond this grove lay the adjoining country seat where dwelt Charlie Evans; and as Caroline went slowly along the path her gaze penetrated the recesses of the great trees, as if to rest upon some thing dear beyond. The dark eyes grew soft with tender expression, her heart was filled with the image of her lover, and the voluptuous atmosphere of the peerless night held senses and soul in accord.

 Below the terrace lay the fair map of widely spreading landscapes; but Caro- line had no thought for this scene, and did not even glance at it until she reached the gate. Then she entered a village lane, and the dreamy look van. ished from her face as she considered her errand.

 The ho use she entered was cottage so built that it's porch had double en- frances. One of these opened into the dwelling of the poor seamstress the other had been occupied since May by { ter-workman in factory beyond the village, himself a stranger to the re zion, who brought with him as house keeper his daughter, girl of unusua

 beauty, rustic queen, blonde of tha vital temperament which gives to youth ful health it's most expressive form

 This daughter, Mag Merritt, became thu

 village belle.

 As Caroline entered the porch th

 Merritts' portion of the cottage wa

 quite still and dark. On the other sid

 the lattice was thrown open upon gar

 den crowded with fragrant plants, ant

 faint light gleamed out. The igh was burning in the chamber, where

 after word with the sinking suffere and the mother enfeebled by grief, Gar

 oline decided to remain all night. . Before midnight the purpose for whicl

 the mistress of Deersfeld had beel , summoned was duly confded to her ea1 and then sleep fell on the sufferer, an

 Caroline, having dismissed the age watcher, was alone. She turned tn lamp low, and drew her chair by tn ; window where the perfume of the gal f den foated in, the mingled breath ( F carnation and rose. For years after ths l night the scent Of these precious flower sent fainrness to Carries heart and l pallor to her lips like the poison of deat 3 ly plants.

 Near midnight, when all was still say l the midsummer insects humming in t1 8 trees, and the distant rippling of tn 8 brook, approaching voices were heart 8 Two people were coming along tt = lane toward the cottage. Words indi

 tinct at first grew clear as they can e near. They were lovers voices an n lovers words.

 l, "Mag, my darling P

 ), "Oh, Charlie, if it were not for that 1T "If it were not for that, you wou. s go with ne we would fly to the f