The evening world., 1893-10-20
THE HIDDEN RUBIES.
Strange Clnusc IN the VIII of Wealthy
Margaret DemOrest.

Margie, may I show you the house? l
believe l know it more thoroughly than
most people,
Margie shyly acquiesced, and the two
went off together. leaving Mrs. Mere
dith and Maude to continue the search.
Are you anxious to rnd the rubies
also?" asked VIII. as they paused in
the china closet to admire the cut
glass.
II have not ever looked for them"
answered Margie. with a bright smile.
They are magnificent gems" said
Will. and were never set. ! saw them
Just once. and they nearly took my
breath away.
II should like to see Them Margie
said. musingly: but oh. VIII. were they
more beautiful than these exquisite
cups? Surely that is impossible
THE cups In question were, indeed. ex-
quislte. Blown OF the costliest Vene-
tian glass, lily-shaped. with curled leaves
for saucers. and glowing with rainbow
tints, they resembled nothing 80 much
as a bed OF gorgeous tropical flowers.
Margie's eyes sparkled as she looked
at them.
How lovely! How dainty! How
fairy-like!' she exclaimed. breathlessly.
See, VIII: this one as exactly like an
opal with a touch Of fire, and here is an
amethyst and here aiglowing emerald.
oh. VIII, do look! See how that strange
glow, as of hidden fre, flashes from
each! This one Is jacinth, this beryl.
and-Will Demorest, here Is a ruby! Oh.
the beauty! The real gems cannot be
more superb"
As she spoke she took theruby cup
into her hand. VIII half started for
ward as II to prevent her. but drew back
again with a pale, startled face.
Before he could frame a reply Mrs.
Meredith and Maudc appeared Upon the
scene.
"Margie," cried the former. put
down that cup and come along. I
should think you would nave more pride
thar to dawdle here all day talking with
VIII Demorest."
Margie's soft. hazel eyes filled with
tears as Lawyer Fay entered. the room,
and from under his bushy brows glanced
sharply at each Of the group.
Hunting for rubies. eh?" he said,
sarcastically. But Miss Margle seems
to be the only successful one of the
party. This is a rare bit OF glass, Miss
Margie. and was blown by our friend
here with a motion Of his hand to-
wards VIII.
Margie's hand frightened on the cup In
her SURPRISE; her rosy %foreinger pressed
a raised stamen in the calyx Of the lily
bell, when, presto! change! 1t san be-
meath her touch and her startled eyes
gazed straight into a small cavity,
where glowed a ruby Of inestimable
value. like q drop of rosy fire.
"Solved!' shouted Lawyer Fay. As his
eyes also beheld the gems.
VIII, very white, shrunk back against
the wall. while Mrs. Meredith and hel
daughter pressed closer to Margie ant
the lawyer.
THE rubies!" gasped the avariciou.
woman. making a live for the other cup
But her lawyer placed himself In he
way.
II beg your PARDON he said. "th'
discovery Is Miss Margie's, and. In &C
cordance with the terms Of the will o
my deceased client, she is sole heiress t
the Demorest estate"
Mrs Meredith grew pale with chagrin
Maude burst into tears. n Reubel
Gray. who had heard all from the door
announced his intention OF breaking sucl
an unjust will.
You may try It," was all Lawyer Fa.
said to the threat.
VIII came slowly forward and con
graduated Margie on her good fortune.
'And my congratulations are none tn
!, less sincere that with them I resign tn
sweetest hope of my lire." he said.
Resign a fiddiestick!' muttered tn
( old lawyer. "Margie. that. boy refuse
to be made Miss Demorest's heir-in
, sisted that 1t would be an injustice t
, those nearer of kim. Then she mad
him blow these cups of tinted glass. wit
, tine central cavity and spring. She In
| serted a ruby In each cup. which com
! bined with the diff ,rent ttnts. gave ther
their rich c%oloring. He watched he
| hide the rubies and he has kept the Sc
cret. Does he not merit some reward.
Margie flushed and glanced timidly a
Will. Then she looked round for he
aunt and cousin. Both had disappeared
!, Take her. WILL" said the old lawyer
!, with t%winkling eye. land bless we. m,
children"
With a melodramatlc gesture he. toe
vanished, and I think the young peopl
, We're not long in coming to an under
: standing, for cards are now out for tn
I wedding.-Leeds Mercury.