The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-11-27

gaiety and constant round of pleasures
bewilder and almost frighten the little
country girl.
But she soon learns to take every
thing as a matter of course, and to en-
ter into and enjoy it all. -.sr
Society dearly loves a sensation
something novel and out of the ordin-
ary--and, were Rose less carefully
trained in purity and truth, her head
would surely be turned by the adula-
tion that her fresh young beauty Gre
ates wherever she goes.
But those who love Rose need have
no fear for her. Instead of spelling,
the brilliant scenes in which she is
participant only serve to amuse and di-
vert her. and TO form matter for the
vOlumiLOus letters that wend their way
weekly to Brierwood Farm, and to
another home in the village some few
miles distant, where they are perllsed
by manly eyes that grow soft and ten
der as thAF raad-------z p -=
One morning the Arnold residence
welcomes three new guests in the per-
sons of Mrs. Arnold's sister and her
two daughters.
The day passes amid pleasant con-
yersation, and, at length, in the hour
between sundown and dusk, a game of
hide-and-seek is proposed by one of
the young people.
Slipping quietly into the library,
Rose ensconces herself snugly behind
the draperies of the bay-window.
Hardly has she done so, when the
door opens and Mrs. Arnold and her
sister enters.
Rose does not stir, thinking that the
rooms sudden accession of inmates
will ensure her own security, for. of
course. both ladies will disavow having
seen any of the hiders.
They begin at once to converse.
"How handsome Rupert is," Mrs.
Moore says. "Maria, when is his en-
gagement to Miss Martelle to be con-
summatedp"
''Oh, that was OFF six months ago."
Mrs. Arnold answers. s'Her father
failed disastrously, and, of course, with
Rupert's ideas and tastes, she was no
longer a suitable wife for him. He
seized the first opportunity to with
draw"
SIN that case. Maria, l must ask you
if you consider country farmers
niece the proper person to throw into
daily association with a young man
whose fancy will be in great peril from
her face, which, | must confess, is the
prettiest / have ever seenP"
s'Spare yourself any anxiety on that
score, Sarah dear. Let me tell you
something. That girl, although as yet
no one knows it but my husband and
Rupert and myself, is an heiress. You
remember meeting that old eccentric
Hugh Heyd0n at my hopsea Well. he
died three months ago and laft my bus
band the sole manager of his estate, the
whole bulk of which he left, entirely
disrsgarding his only child whom he
had disinherited years before, to the
daughter OF woman WAam he had
loved and been separated FROM in sarly
youth.
''Of course, as my husband was his
lawyer, as we'll as his confidential
friend, no one but ourselves knows as
yet the tenor CT the will l no sooner
heard of it than | saw at once this was
just the chance for Rupert. His father
is in easy circumstances, but by no
means able to shoulder Rupert 7ex-
trayagances. DO not think I am dis
paraging my son; he is only what his
education has made him, and not one
whit wilder than others OF his sort.
Once settled down with a rich wife, he
will be all that his relatives can wish"
"But the girl-you do not seem to
think of her in the matter" Mrs.
Moore suggests.
.sOh, she admires Rupert exceed
ingly. He has played his game well"
"Ah. l seer'
And Rose, listening with flushed
cheeks and Indignant eyes, sees too.
A few hours later in the conserva-
tory, whittier Rupert has led her apart
from the rest. she listens while iB tones
of well simulated ardor be pleads his
suit.
She waits until ne pauses, then look
ing up straight into his eyes she says
quietly. with an emphasis upon the
first words:
I. cousin Rupert, you surely would
hot have spoken rs yon have just now
had you known that the girl you adj
dressed WAS already betrothed. But to
knowledge may Gauss you, let me
hasten 10 assure you that although
Rose May has recently been left large
fortune. She will be in no wise benefit
ed by it. for under no consideration
could she be induced to accept farth-
ing that rightfully belongs to another.
5 You look amazed. Yes. | know all. "
Rupert's face of utter astOnishment
! and embarrassment is a study, When
Rose rises with all the dignity of an in
speechless, and when she goes he makes
no attempt to detain her.
He is foiled, and his mothers we'll
l~.l .o6a,~1o 70 &oi tharo 10 No
doubt of that. And with q perturbed
mind he seeks the latter to confer with
her upon the unpleasant surprise he
has just received.
He finds her prepared, for, with her
usual frankness, the instant she left his
side Rose had gone directly to Mrs.
Arnold.
Never before in all her short life has
the girl felt so outraged in every fibre
OF her being. She longs to flee at once
from Ra atmosphere where treachery
and dnplieity lurk beneath the guise of
courtesy and pretended affection.
As swiftly as it is possible her arrange
ments for departure are completed.
Mrs. Arnold makes no endeavor to
detain her. For once her worldly tact
deserts her. for by her own words she
has condemned herself
A few evenings later. with her hand
clasped in her lovers, Rose relates TO
him part of the above-only part,
for she speaks alone of the inheritance
that has so unexpectedly been left to
her.
She means-oh, subtle ROsel-to try
this lover, who seems everything that
is noble and just. Her recent expert
ence has raised our little country
maiden from unsuspicions trust and
faith with which her Young eyes have
hitherto regarded everything and every
body.
Johns face grows very grave as he
listens. .
And is it possible, Rose" he ex-
claims, ''that you. with yoar high sense
of honor, would accept an inheritance
that rightfully belongs to this man 5
disinherited child?"