The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-07-15
THE DEMOREST RUBIES.

THE DEMOREST RUBIES.
Yes, she was dead at last-Mar-
garet Demorest of Stony Lodge
and the shock OF her demise had
shaken Bellevue from centre to cir
cumference. For years. her num-
erous relatives, each with an eye to
the estate, had watched her move
ments from respectful distance,
which she herself had interposed
between them, and their hesrts had
grown sick with hope deferred. But
the grim looks of the old maid had
not power to repulse the King Of
Terrors when his hand knocked at
her gloomy door.
Heart disease. the doctors said
when she was found one morning
with smile of peace frozen on her
stern withered features. The rela-
tives 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
handkerchiefs But when the will
was read the excitement of the heirs
at law rapidly ascended to fever
heart. Always eccentric in life, Miss
Demorest had retained that eccen
trlcity to the end, and woven it into
her last will and testament.
With the exception OF a few be-
quests 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 FIVE hundred thou
sand dollars, was to pass into the
sole possession of that one among
her kinsfolk who should discover
the hiding place of the twelve Dem
crest rubies.
Should the gems remain undis
covered after the lapse OF one year
from the date OF her death the estate
was to b" sold, and home for old
maids founded with the proceeds
The old cat! muttered fashionable
Mrs. Meredith, viciously. She hid
those rubies herself, the spiteful
thing!
1t is too provoking! pouted her
pretty daughter Maude.
l shall contest the will. said thin
Tipped Reuben Gray. l cannot
stand it.
Mrs. Meredith was Miss Demo-
rests neice and Reuben Gray
her nephew The two were
brother and sister, and the nearest
akin to tn dead woman.
Next came Margie Vane, child Of
favorite nephew who was to have
been the heir had he not displeased
his aunt by marrying, against her
will, a girl OF obscure parentage-a
pauper Miss Demorest termed her.
Harold Vance had died some
years back, closely folio we'd by his
wife; and the one daughter,
Margaret, was left alone in the world
and utterly penniless.
Mrs. Meredith had taken her-tor
the old aunt remained obdurate-
and she was now serving in the
capacity of maid to her beautiful
cousin Maude.
Margie Vance was not present at
the reading of the will. Mrs. Mere
dith considered it unnecessary, and
Margie herself had not the faintest
hope of being remembered kindly
by her fathers's 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.
Whoever finds the rubies will
inherit everything2 she asked, halt
breathlessly.
By the terms OF the will, answered
Mrs. Meredith. But | very much
doubt If any one will find them.
Aunt Margaret was such spiteful
old cat.
Oh, aunt, hush! cried Margie, in
panied tones. She is dead now.
SO much the better for the com
munity, said Mrs. Meredith, vindic
lively.
Are you going to search tor the
gemsi Margie asked
OF course. There is just one
chance in a thousand that may
unearth them.
In which event you would find no
further fault with poor Aunt Demo
rests will, said the girl shrewdly.
Oh, Aunt Jennie, may | 60 with you
to the great house? | was never
Inside OF it.
| suppose you may if you choose,
replied her aunt, ungraciously. In
fact, Lawyer Fay insists that you
shall take your chance with the rest
| ~ &c p,,t ~ &c avtra,,,olu ir,,nroh,