The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-06-18
DIAMOND SLEEVE-BUTTO

DIAMOND SLEEt tE-BUTTON.
With slow steps and dropping head
Rosa Arlingford walked across the lawn
and through the grove, until she had
come to the silent, mysterious river
which formed the boundary of her
fathers land. Gravely and sadly she
watched its placed flow, while her face
and attitude expressed a WEAKNESS and
depression which but i'll accorded with
the perfect beauty of the night. A
young moon was dropping its silver
bars across the gently ripping water.
The rich foliage of some tall trees,
here and there, cast dark shadows.
which, contrasting with the moons
silver rays. heightened the beauty of
the scene. But Rosa Arlingford SEEM
ed not to see any of the gems of this
beautiful landscape. Her hands were
clasped (not closely and firmly as
though some passionate sorrow requir-
ed to be held in check as if the vio-
lence of her grief had been expended.
She was submitting to her fate with
the silence of despair. AS if to cheer
and brighten the sad face, 4 beam from
the bright moon fell across her and lit
up the brown hair and shone upon her
delicate and beautiful features, making
them lovely beyond expression. But
the girl seemed to shrink from the
kindly beams, for she drew closer to-
ward the shadows of the trees. and for
a little while hid her face with her
hands. Her face was deadly pale, and
she said, i'll low tones: Just three
years last night we parted-he to go
to the far West, to remain here. We
promised TO be true to each other; l
have kept my promise-but, oh! whore
is he? He wrote that he would be
home last night but he has not come.
Ralphl Ralph! come to me or l will
die. They will force me to marry the
man | hate. Oh, Father in heaven,
look down and pity thy child!" and
with low moan she sank upon her
knees.
Rosa, Rosa, are you here? Why, l
have been hunting for You at least half
an hour" and Rosa turned her head
toward the place from whence the
sound came. Her face was now ghast-
ly white with terror, and she trembled
so much she could hardly stand; but
the call came again, and this time
dark figure appeared As it came near
Ell she recognized her father.
why, Rosa, you look like the last
rose of summer; what is the matter?
But never mind; come with me- Col.
Rodman is at the house waiting for
you"
The very sound of that name sent a
chill over poor Rosa. 1t is the name
of the rich old bachelor her father
wanted her to marry.
Rising from her lowly posture, she
ran and fell on her knees, eXclaiming:
.'Oh, father, send him away! Why
should he always come to make me
miserable? Oh. father, / never want
TO see him again. He can never win
my love. for Ralph already possesses
it,
'.It is idle for you to resist" said her
father, sternly, at last. 81 have other
views in regard to your future, Rosa.
l know what is best for you"
But, really, father, you can offer
no valid objection to Ralph
He hasn't hundred shillings to
his nameT'
. "But he will have. He is active,
talented. and industrious, and he may
be as lucky as YOU have been, father"
Very we'll, l know; but dom t fan
cy that arrangement of yours at all.
Cease to correspond with Ralph Bel
mont at once. Here is Col. Rodman,
who is worth his thousands"
Col Rodmanm exclaimed Rosa,
quickly. He is bad man! | don't
believe he comes from one of the first
families of Maryland, as he pretends.
He is an impostor. Besides, l have
promised to marry Ralph when you
consent to our union"
..Indeedw exclaimed the old man,
not little gratitied at his daughters
good intention. Indeed! then You
will not marry IN a hurry, miss. prom
ise you. You will not have my consent
to any such arrangement with Ralph
Belmont.
"Ihen remain single"
mo YOU won't
'Do you think so, father?"
''Indeed do. You are now of mar
riageable age"
''And you wish TO get me off your
hands?'
mo; you know better. If you mar
ry to suit me will confer on you q
handsome dowry."
You are able to do that, l know"
"And | will, if you marry to suit
me-"
Il hope to do so, father"
..lf you don't | will cut you off with
out a shilling"
Il will not wed without your APPROX
al, father.
Very well; that is rs would have
it; and so l have suggested to Col
Rodman, who is in a good position. and
L am sure, is seriously attached to
you.
.But more seriously attached to my
expected dowry, father" suggested
Rosa
Just then there was rustling among
the leaves and servant appeared up
on the scene. Come quick, MIR. Arl-
Arlin gford has lost her diamond sleeve
button. She says she believes Col.
Rodman has stolen it. She had it in
her cuff when she was in the parlor,
and just stepped into the hall, when
she missed it, and when she went back
Col Rodman was gone-and she can't
find it in any place "
go quick, father; it is the beautiful
button Uncle Harry sent mother from
Cuba"
just as her father and the servant
disappeared she heard a rustic among
the leaves and the words: Rosa,
Rosa when a manly form stepped
from behind some shrubbery and clasp
ed her in his arms, tenderly kissing her
hair. lips, and brow. Then putting
her little way from him, looked into
her white face. One moment she rails
ed her eyes to his. Then, with a joy
GUS cry, she flung her arms around his
neck and wept.
..Oh, Ralph, at last-at last you have
come back to me.
"Yes, my little love" and he drew
her head against his breast; told hel
how his old aunt had died and left hin
a millionaire, and that he had been de
tanned to settle some of her busines:
matterss and how he was sitting on 8