The Argosy — page 328: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Caroline Heath. 309 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 in accordance with the smooth, bright hair and the 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 Mr. Ark- right were standing together at the side rails, looking across the fold- yard of the farm to the land beyond. Caroline walked slowly towards them and John Arkright turned to shake hands with her. “Yes,” said he to Mr. Heath, continuing what he was saying, ‘““crops never looked more promising. Only let us have fine weather for another month or two, and we shall have a splendid harvest.” “ Hecan 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 odour of new mown hay came from the meadows which were cut; wheat, barley, rye, grew in other fields ; in the fold-yard stood the cows being milked by Hodge and Joan; Joan’s tongue full of reproach on account of the lateness of the hour, Hodge excusing himself by saying he had been kept helping in the hayfields. At an open window of the house sat Mrs. Heath attired in costly silk and doing some foolish fancy work. Just then Tom ran up to them, the great dog, Rover, jump- ing about him. Mr. Heath took his arms off the railings. He was a spare man, attired in white fustian with breeches and gaiters ; his face was good- natured but weak. ‘I 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 labourers’ cottages, and its inhabitants were homely and simple-mannered. The only fine lady in it, apart from Squire Williams’s ladies, was Mrs. Heath. She was Mr. Heath’s second wife, and still under thirty. When she came home to Briar Farm, four years ago, she found a staid old working housekeeper in it, and Joan, the rough maid-of-all-work : Caroline and Tom were at school. Mrs. Heath did not get on well with the housekeeper and discharged her, replacing her with a genteel maid from Norton. The maid in her turn did not get on well with the work ; proved to be as fine and useless as her mistress. After a time of discomfort such as Briar Farm had never before known, Mrs. Heath issued her veto that Caroline must come home and see to things. She was mistress and master, ruling her weak, placid VOL. XLI. x “‘eomicbooks (CO