The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-07-15


Sleep, my bsby-dream and rest
~rEH
$50 An Opal Ring.
Leopold Aston, with his happy blonde
face and Immense fortune, had brought Q
letter of introduction to DIR. Sherwood of
the Elms. and Doctor Sherwood had taken
Leopold Aston by the hand and introduced
him to his two pretty daughters.
Now it happened that the latter had never
been thrown In the company of two pretty
girls in domestic life, and he found the
household habits and dainty white aprons Of
these young ladies very charming.
In the first dazzle of pleasure, they looked
to him very much alike, but by -and-by he
found that Arabella and Mildred Sherwood
were very different.
He was to stay at the Elms during the
summer. In the autumn he was going
abroad.
"To England, to Germany, and to Italy, 1"
said Mildred
"Yes, and to Paris" responded Arabella,
and she shut her thin, scarlet lips over some
resolve.
When Leopold came in from Q fine,
breezy walk by the river, Mildred was dust
ing the ornaments ON the mantle, and Ara-
bella was Arranging some flowers upon .
table.
He came straight to the table.
g Stock-blue aud lilac, and crimson and
white gladioles. What superb flowers you
have here at the Elms, Miss Arabella-"
I" DO you think SO? And do you like
Glove pinks ?" she asked, handing him one.
"n this concentration of the tropics Is .
Glove pink, yes, 1 do"
"Then let me give you button-hols
bouquet" and, taking the pink from his
hand, she twined it with bit of smilAx, and
fastened it in his button-hole.
And he, looking down, saw the curl Of
her black lashes, and took the fragrance of
her breath.
. difference in the sisters. Arabella was
prettier than Mildred.
am going into the garden for moro
vines for my vases. II you like to come. I
viii show you my geraniums, I" said Arabella-
Leopold took up his hat, which he had
laid down, and they went ont into the sun
shine.
Doctor Sherwood, reading upon the piaz-
n, lifted his spectscles from his newspaper;
then took them OF and looked up.
"Arabella-perhaps father is not the
best judge-but Arabella, it seems 10 me, is
. very attractive grill /" he said, to himself.
Meanwhile, Mildred had put away the
duster and gone down into the kitchen to
help her mother make aorentines for tea.
Mother" she said, absently, after
awhile, /" I should like to go to Italy"
"Wsll, probably you never will, my dear.
Beat those eggs minute longer"
. At the tea-table, q few hours later, Mr.
Leopold Aston found that the eggs for the
horentines had been beaten thoroughly.
"How nice !" Mildred heard him say to
Arabella. ct seems to me that you can do
everything"
Mildred was about to remark that Arabella
sche, when something in her sisters looks
checked her. She swallowed her tea, in
momentary confusion, and rose from the
table, With bewildering thought pressing
upon her.
Cast it OF a she would, it was . thought
which persistently returned as the summer
days went by. Mr.. Aston seemed to find
her sister very attractive.
Was it possible that this young man of
fortune, with all the world before him where
to choose, had fallen in love with Arabella-
that he would wish to marry her?
She knew 30 well all the family Affairs
how the Elms were mortgaged-how hard
they all exerted themselves to keep up the
appearance of prosperity and comfort. It
would be splendid thing for Arabella-for
them all But could it be? And then
Adam Neele!
One night, when Arabella's voice, singing
to Leopold in the parlor, came down tho
stairs, the doctor remarked:
at seems to me that Arabella spends all
her evenings with Mr.. Aston"
"Wel, let her, if she likes. I'm sure his
company is agreeable" returned his wife,
But something in her tone prevented the
doctor from saying moro. He unfolded the
evening paper thoughtfully, and held it up
side down for several moments.
Mildred's quick glance went from one face
to another. She thought of the mortgage !;
she knew her father and mother were
thinking of it, too. But she went on silently
Smelling peas. She had taken the dish from
her mothers tired hands few moments be-
fore.
Pretty soon Arabella danced by the door
up to her chamber. A moment later, Leo
pold came out upon the piazza and lighted
. cigar. Pretty soon he saw Mrs. Sher-
woods lavender cap-ribbons, and came to
the dining room window.
"Mrs. Sherwood, I am called to New
York for day or two. shall be OF before
you are well astir in the morning."
"But, Mr.. Aston, you will want your
breakfast"
"No, no! shall take breakfast on the
boat"
He turned and went down into the gar
den.
"Rebecca," said the doctor, somewhat
uneasily, to his wife, adam Neele is COM
ing here tomorrow. He promised to come
and show me about the understanding for
next year."
"Wel?" said Mrs. Sherwood, after q
pause.