The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1885-06-11
DIAMOND SLEEVE-BUTTON.

DIAMOND SLEEVE-BUTTO
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 yio-
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, 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, in low tones: just three
years last night we parted-he to 20
to the far West, to remain here. We
promised to be true to each other; |
have kept my promise-but, oh! where
is he? He wrote that he would be
home last night but he has not come.
Ralph, Ralph. come to me or l viii
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 a
dark figure appeared. As it came near
er she recognized her father.
''NVhy, 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
t."
'It is idle for you to resist" said her
father, sternly. at last. II 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 a hundred shillings to
his namer'
but be will have He is active,
talented. and industrious, and he may
be as lucky as YOU have been, father.
Very well, / know; but / don't fam
cv that arrangement of yours at all.
Cease 10 correspond with Ralph Bel
mont at once. HIRE is Col. Rodman.
who is worth his thousands" "
Col. Rodman!" exclaimed Rosa,
quickly. s'de is n bad man! l don't
believe he comes from one of the first
families of Maryland, as he pretends.
He is an impostor. Besides, | have
promised to marry Ralph When you
consent to our union.
.Indeedn' exclaimed the old man,
nor little gratified at his daughter 5
Good ,,-tention. Indeed! then you
Viii 9H NOT mo -ry IN a hurry, miss, / prom
ise Won Yon u>I pot have my consent
to any such arrang 9'sa' "''n h'"' -
Belmont"
Then | remain single"
NO you won't"
''DO YOU think so, father?"
Indeed l 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 | viii confer on you
handsome dowry."
You are able to DO that, | know
"And l will, if you marry to suit
me-"
Il hope to do so. father
If you don't l viii cut you off with
out q shilling"
Il will not wed without your APPROX
al. father
Very well; that is as would have
it; and so 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 a servant appeared up
on the scene. Come quick. Mr.. Arl-
ingford; Col. Rodman is gone, and Mrs.
Arlingford 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