The Argosy — page 330: what you’re looking at

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

Caroline Heath. 311 “Smart!” exclaimed Caroline. ‘ Oh—this,” she added, laugh- ing, suddenly remembering the lily in her hair: “Tom put it there.” Mr. Heath glanced at the lily, which he had not noticed before. ‘Pretty things, those lilies,” he remarked, ‘‘ so sweet and pure.” A rumble of wheels, in the distance, gave token that the stage coach, which brought passengers from a distant railway town, was approaching. Mr. Heath put his arms upon the low iron gate to watch it pass; Caroline stood by him. It was coming slowly up the hill, and appeared to be unusually crowded with passengers and luggage. “What a load!” exclaimed John Arkright. “Oh, I know,” quickly spoke Tom. “ It is bringing the engineers who are to lay out the new line of railroad. Dick Williams told me they were coming this evening. Rooms are taken for them at the Golden Lion, at Norton.” The coach came slowly on, and drew up close before Mr. Heath’s gate, perhaps rather to his surprise. A gentleman and lady, elderly people, inside passengers, got out of it, and the guard began to take some luggage from the boot. “Ts this the Grange, sir?” the lady asked, approaching Mr. Heath. “No, ma’am. This is Briar Farm.” “ Dear me! Walter, we have got down at the wrong place. How stupid that driver must be. I heard you distinctly tell him ‘ Mr. Wilhams’s, the Grange.’ ” ‘ All right, ma’am,” said the driver, who had listened to the words with equanimity. ‘‘ This spot’s the nearest to it.” “You must take this lane close by ; a few minutes’ walk will bring you to the Grange,” spoke Mr. Heath. “Good gracious! Walk!” cried the lady. ‘‘ And what’s to be- come of the luggage? Walter, what ave we to doe” “The luggage must stay here till Williams can send a man for it, Jane ; the guard says it will be safe.” “ Quite safe,” repeated Mr. Heath, in compassion to the Jady’s con- sternation. ‘‘ We will give a look to it, if you ike, ma’am.” “Oh, if you would be so kind, sir. I’ve three new dresses and two lovely bonnets in that further box.” During this colloquy, one of the outside passengers, who sat on the side of the coach nearest the gate, had never once taken his eyes off the pretty girl who stood with the white lily in her hair. Laughing blue eyes they were, set rather deeply in a good-looking face, much bronzed, as if its owner were a good deal in the open air. “Can you tell me how far we are off Norton?” he suddenly said to Mr. Heath, in courteous and refined tones. ‘Nearly two miles,” replied the farmer. __ “Thank you. This seems to bea charming neighbourhood.” “Tt 1s, sir.” GOMIGIOOKSAGO