The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-11-10
THOSE RUBIEs.

said, when she was found one morning with
a smile Of peace frozen on her stern and
withered features. The relatives accepted
the verdict with due resignation, following
the remains of the 'dear departed" to their
final resting place amid an ostentatious
display of Grape and black bordered hand
kerchiefs.
But when the will was read the excite
ment of the heirs-at-law rapidly assembled
3 fever heat. Miss Demorest had retained
her eccentricity to the end and woven it
into her last will and testament
With the exception of few requests to
her servants, the whole of her property,
landed and personal, to the amount of $780,
900. was to pass into the possession of that
one among her kinsfolk who should dis
cover the hiding place Of the IL Demorest
rubies.
Should the gems remain undiscovered
after the lapse of one year from the date Of
her death, the estate was to be sold and a
home for old maids founded with the pro
ceeds.
II shall contest the will, t" said thin Tipped
Reuben Gray. ut cannot stand"
Mrs. Meredith was Miss Demorest's niece,
and Reuben Gray her nephew. The two
were brother and sister, and the nearest
akin to the dead woman.
Next came Margie Vane. child of the ia
vorite nephew, who was to have been the
heir had he not displeased his aunt by
marrying, against her will, girl of OBJ
scure parentage-"a pauper," Miss Demon
est termed her.
Harold Vane had died, closely followed
by his wife, and the one daughter, Marga-
ret, was left alone i'll the world and utterly
penniless.
Mrs. Meredith had taken her-for the old
aunt remained obdurate-and she was now
serving in the capacity of maid to her beau
tiful cousin Maude.
Margie Vane was not present at the read
ing of the Wal. Mrs. Meredith considered
it unnecessary, and Margie herself had not
the faintest hope of being remembered
kindly by her fathers stern old relative.
When, therefore, they returned in anger
and disappointment and gave an account of
the wording of the will, Margie's hazel eyes
opened wide in wonder.
That afternoon and many ensuing after
moons Mrs. Meredith, Maude and Margie
walked over to Stony Lodge and wandered
fruitlessly about amid the treasures of brio
a-brac, statuary, books and rare old china.
On one of these occasions Margie met
Will Demorest, cousin several times re-
moved of her fathers. He was a frank and
handsome young fellow, with dark blue
eyes and close curling fair hair His was
the genuine Demorest face, the index of
strong noble character.
By occupation he was an artist in glass
blowing, having learned the art in Venice.
T.. Il 1. l.. r
Demorest, with whom he was q prime fa-
vorite
$50 you thought you would have look
for the rubies with the rest of u.s." said
Mrs. Meredith, with sneer, as she found
the young glassblower examining the
books in the library one morning. "Yet
thought you abhorred mercenary consider
ations."
II am not in quest Of the gems" Will re-
piled as his blue eyes rested in unmistaka-
BILE admiration on Marges fair, sweet face.
"Humphl | hope you don't take me for
a lunatic or fool, Will Demorest," was
the scathing rejoinder.
For neither, assure you," said Will,
with bow. ''Only at present l am more
interested in pearls than rubies. Cousin
Margie, may show you the houseS be-
lieve know it more thoroughly than most
people"
Marge shyly acquiesced, and the two
went off together, leaving Mrs. Meredith
and Maude to continue their search.
Are you anxious to find the rubies alsoi"
asked Will as they paused In the china
closet to admire the cut glass.
II have not even looked for them" an
swered Margie, with a bright smile.
"Yet you have an equal right with the
rest" persisted the young man, watching
her face keenly.
''Oh, no, have not indeed" she said
simply. Papa displeased Aunt Demorest,
as you know, and she has never taken the
slightest notice of me. This being the case,
should not feel entitled to join in the
search for the rubies even II desired to
do So"
''They are magnificent gems" said Will,
land were never set. l saw them just once,
and they nearly took my breath away"
81 should like to see them" Margie said
musingly, "but, oh, Will, were they any
more beautiful than these exquisite cupsS
Surely that is impossible"
The cups in question were indeed exqui-
site. Blown of the costliest venetian glass,
lily shaped, with curled leaves for saucers,
and glowing with rainbow tints, they re-
sembled nothing so much as bed of
gorgeous tropical flowers.
"How lovely! How dainty How fairy
like!'' she exclaimed breathlessly "See,
Will, this one is exactly like an opal with
a touch of fire, and here is an amethyst,
and here is a glowing emerald"
AS she spoke she took the ruby cup into
her hand. Will half started forward as If
to prevent her, but drew back again with a
pale, startled face.
Mrs. Meredith and Maude appeared upon
the scene.
"Margie," cried the former, put down
that cup and come along. l should think
you would have more pride than to dawdle
here all day talking with Will Demorest."
Margie's soft hazel eyes filled with tears
under his bushy brows glanced sharply at
each of the group.
Margie's hand frightened on the cup, her
rosy foreinger pressed raised stamen in
the calyx of the lily bell, when, prestol
changed it sank beneath her touch, and her
startled eyes gazed straight into a small
cavity where glowed ruby Of inestimable
value, like drop of rosy fire.
"Solvedp' shouted Lawyer Fay as his eyes
also beheld the gems
Will, very white, shrank back against
the wall, while Mrs. Meredith and her
daughter pressed closer to Margie and the
lawyer.
"The rubiesl' gnsped the avaricious wom-
an, making dive for the other cup.
But the lawyer placed himself in her way.
II beg your pardon" he said. "The dis
covery is Miss Margie's, and in accordance
with the terms of the will of my deceased
l. II. a.. naw.