Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-11-30

lnhb aIternOon anu many ensuing
afternoons Mrs. Meredith, Maude and
Margic walked over TO Stony Lodge and
wandered fruitlessly about amid the
treasures OF brio n brac, statuary, books
and rare old china.
On one Of these occasions Margie met
viii Dcmorest, cousin several times
removed OF her father. lie was
frank, handsome young fellow, with
dark blue eyes and close. curling, fair
hair. His was the genuine Demorest
face, the index Of a strong, noble char
actcr.
by occupation he was an artist In
glass blowing, having learned the art
In Venice. lie had done considerable
work for Miss Demorcst, with whom he
was prime favorite.
$50 you thought you would have a
look for the rubies with the rest Of us"
said Mrs. Meredith, with a sneer, as
she found the young glassblower exam
lining the books in the library one
morning yet thought you abhorred
mercenary considerations"
IL am not in quest of the gems" viii
replied, as his eyes rested in unmistak-
able admiration on Margie's fair, sweet
face.
"llumphl I hope you don't take me
for lunatic or a fool, VIII Demorest,"
was the scathing rejoinder.
For neither, assure you" said win,
with a bow. "only at present | am
more interested In pearls than rubies.
Cousin Margie, may ! show you tho
house? believe know II more thor
oughly than most people"
Margie shyly acquiesced, and the two
went Off together, leaving Mrs. Mere
dith and Maude TO continue their search.
"Are you anxious to find the rubies
also?" asked win, as they paused in the
china closet to admire the cut glass.
~ have not even looked for them"
answered Margie, with bright smile.
"They are magnificent gems" said
Will, land were never set ] saw them
Just once, and they nearly took my
breath away"
~ should like to see them" Margie
said, musingly; but oh, win, were
they more beautiful than these exquis-
lite cups? Surely that is impossible"
The cups In question were, indeed,
exquisite. Blown of the costliest Vene-
tian glass, lily-shaped, with curled
leaves for saucers, and glowing with
rainbow tints, they resembled nothing
so much as bed of gorgeous tropical
flowers.
Margie's eyes sparkled as she looked
at them
'llow lovely How daintyl How
fairy-likel" she exclaimed, breathless-
ItT l..
an opal with touch OF fire, and here
is an amethyst and here a glowing
emerald Oh, viii, do looll See how
that strange glow, rs Of hidden fire,
flashes from eachl This one is jacinth,
this beryl, and-Will Demorest, here Is
n rubyl oh, the beautyl The real
gems cannot be more superbr'
AS she spoke she took the ruby cup
into her hand. VIII half started for
ward as II to prevent her, but drew
back again with pale, startled face
Before he could frame n reply Mrs
Meredith and Maude appeared upon the
scene.
"Margie," cried the former, put
down that cup and come along. I
should think you would have more
pride than TO dawdle here all day talk
ing with VIII Demorest."
Margies 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, eh2" he said,
sarcastically. But Miss Margie seemed
/ 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 n motion of his hand to-
/ ward Will.
F Margle's hand frightened on the cup
In her surprise; her rosy forefinger
pressed raised stamen in the calyx of
the lily bell, when, prestol changed 1t
sank beneath her touch, and her
startled eyes gazed straight into a
small cavity where glowed a ruby of
inestimable value, like a drop Of rosy
fire.
"Solved" shouted Lawyer Fay, as
his eyes also beheld the gems.
/ viii, very white, shranlx back against
the wall, while Mrs. Meredith and her
daughter pressed closer TO Margie and
the lawyer
THE rubiesw gasped the avaricious
woman, making a dive for the other
cup
But her lawyer placed himself in her
way.
~ beg your pardon" he said ",rhe
discovery is Miss Margie's, and in ac-
cordance with the terms of the will of
my deceased client, she is sole heiress
TO the Demorest estate"
Mrs. Meredith grew pale with cha
grin. Maude burst into tears, and
Reuben Gray, who had heard all from
the door, announced his intention OF
breaking such an unjust will
you may try it," was all Lawyer
Fay said to the threat.
win came slowly forward and con-
graduated Margie on her good fortune
And my congratulations are none
the less sincere that with them re-
sign the sweetest hope Of my life" he
said,
"Rcsign Gddles ticlS!" muttered the
old lawyer "Margie, that boy refused
to be made Miss Demorest's heir-in-
sisted that II would be an injustice to
those nearer OF kin. Then she made
him blow these cups OF tinted glass,
with the central cavity and spring. She
inserted Il ruby in each cup, which,
combined with the different tints, gave
them their rich coloring. lie watched
her hide the rublcs and he has kept the
secret Does he not merit some re-
wurd?"
Marric flushed and glanced timidlv