The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1893-07-20
THE DEMOREST RUBIES


Demorest of Stony Lodge-and the
shock of her demise had shaken Bell
evuc from center to circumference.
For years her numerous relatives, each
with an eve to the estate, had watch
cd her movements from a respectful
distance, which she herself had inter
posed between them, and their hearts
had grown sick with hope deferred
Heart disease, the doctors said, when
she was found one morning with a
smile Of peace frozen on her stern and
withered features. The relatives ac-
cepted the verdict with due rcsigna-
ton, following the remains of the
"dear departed" to their final resting
place amid an ostentatious display of
Grape. But when the will was read
the excitement of the heirs-at-law rap
idly assembled to fever-heat. Always
eccentric in life, Miss Demorcst had
retained that eccentricity to the end
and woven it into her last will and
testament.
With the exception of few bequests
to her servants, the whole of her
property, landed and personal, to-wit:
Stony Lodge, her present residence,
with its beautiful park, which was a
very Eden of loveliness; Rose Villa,
her winter resort on Lake Helen,
Florida, together with a splendid house
in town and money to the amount of
$500, 600, was TO pass into the sole pos
session of that one among her kins-
folk who should discover the hiding
place of the twelve Dcmorest ruDies.
Should the gems remain undiscOyer-
ed after a lapse of one year from the
date of her death the estate was to be
sold and home for old maids found
ed with the proceeds.
"The old cat" muttcred fashionable
Mrs. Meredith, viciously "She hid
those rubies herself, the. spiteful
thing"
at is too provoking" pouted her
pretty daughter Maudc.
81 shall contest the will" said thin
Tipped Reuben Gray. at cannot
stand"
Mrs. Meredith was Miss DcmOrcst's
niece and Reuben Gray her nephew.
The two were brother and sister and
the nearest akin to the dead woman.
Next came Margie Nane, child of IA
yoritc nephew, who was 10 have been
the heir had he not diSpleascd his aunt
by marrying against her will 4 girl
of obscure parcntamc a paupcr,"
Miss DGmOrest termed her.
Harold Vane had died some years
back, closely followed by his wife. and
the one daughter, Margaret, was left
alone in the world and utterly penni-
less.
Mrs. Meredith had taken her--for
the old aunt remained obdGratc-and
she was now serving in the capacity
of maid to her beautiful cousin Maude.
Margie NanC was not present at the
reading of the will. Mrs. Meredith
considered it unnecessary and Margic
herself had not the faintcst nope of be-
mo remembered kindly by her fathers
stern old relative When. therefore
they returned in anger and dlsap-
pointment and gave an account OF the
wording of the will Margie>s hazel
eyes opened wide in wonder
That afternoon, and many ensuing
afternoons. Mrs. Meredith. Maude and
Mar9ie walked over to Stony Lodge
and wandered fruitlcSsly about amid
the treasures of bric-a-braC, statuary,
books and rare old chipaS
On one of these occasions Margie
met VIII Demorest, 4 cousin several
times removed of her fathers. He
was a frank, handsome Young fellow,
with dark-blue eyes and close, curing,
fair hair. His was the genuine Demo
rest face, the index of strong, noble
character.
BY occupation he WAS an artist IN
| glass-blowing. having learned the art
| in Venice. He had done considerable
| work for Miss Dcmorest, with whom
| he was prime fayorlte.
$50 YOU thought you would have q
| look for the rubies with the rest OF
| us" said Mrs. Meredith, with a sneer
as she found the young glass blower
examining 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 blue eyes rested in
| unmistakable admiration on Margie's
| fair. sweet face.
"Humph, | hope you don't take me
for a lunatie or fool. viii Demorest,
was the scathing rejoinder.
1 IOI utithti- L tSSulb Nbt' G''t'
| VIII with bow. "Only at present
am more Interested in pearls thai
rubics. Cousin Margic, may | SHOW
you the house? | believe | know i
more thoroughly than most people.
Margie shyly acqujesccd, and the
tNo went oil together. leaving Mrs
Meredith and Maudc TO continue theil
search.
Are YOU anxious 10 iiad the ruhie
also?" asked viii. rs they paused il
the china closet to admire the en-
glass.
II have not even looked for them.
answered Margie. with a bright smile
They are magnificent gems sai'
VIII. "and were never sci. l saN
them just once and they nearly toe
my breath away"
II should like TO see them" Margl