The evening world., 1893-10-20
THE HIDDEN RUBIES.
Strange Clause in the WIW of WealthY
Margaret DemOrest.

Margic. may I show you the house? I
believe l know 1t 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 md the rubies
also?" asked win, as they paused in
the china closet to admire the cut
glass.
II have not even looked for them"
answered Margie, with a bright smile.
'"They are magnificent gems" said
viii, n 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. Will. were they
more beautiful than these exquisite
cups? Surely that is impossible"
The cups in question were, indeed, ex-
quisite. Blown Of the costliest Vene-
tian glass, li~ly-shaped. with curled leaves
for saucers, and glowing with rainbow
tints, they resembled nothing SO much
as a bed of gorgeous tropical flowers.
Margie's eyes sparkled a. she looked
at them.
How lovely! How dainty! How
fairy-lke!" she exclaimed, b~reathlessly.
.See, VIII; this n is exactly like an
opal with a touch of fire. n here IL an
amethyst and here a glowing emerald.
Oh. VIII, do look! See how that strange
glow, as of hidden fire, flashes from
each! This one Il jacinth. this beryl.
and-Wil Demorest. here Is a ruby! Oh,
the beauty! The real gems cannot be
more superb!'
As she spoke she took theruby cur
into her hand. VIII half started for.
ward as IL to prevent her. but drew back
again with a pale. startled face.
Before he could frame a reply Mrs.
Meredith and Maude appeared upon the
scene.
"Margle." cried the former. put
down that cup and come along. ]
should think you would have more pride
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. chr" he said
sarcastically. But Miss Margie seem,
to be the only successful one Of the
party. This Is a rare bit Of glass, Mis-.
Margie. and was blown by our friend
here with a motion Of his hand to
wards VIII.
Margie's hand frightened on the cup II
her surprise; her rosy forefinger pressed
a raised stamen in the caly= Of the Ill,
bell. when. presto! change! 1t sank be
meath her touch and her startled eye!
gazed straight into a small cavity
where glowed a ruby Of inestimabl,
value. like a drop of rosy fire.
Solved" shouted Lawyer Fay. as hi
eyes also beheld the gems.
VIII. very white, shrunk back agains
the wall. while Mrs. Meredith and he
daughter pressed closer to Margie an,
the lawyer.
The rubies!" gasped the avariciou
woman, making a dive for the other CUP
But her lawyer placed himself in he
way.
II beg your pardon" he said. 18th
discovery is Miss Margie's, and. In &C
cordance with the terms Of the will O
my deceased client. h Is sole heiress t
the Demorest estate"
Mrs. Meredith grew pale with chagrin
Maude burst into tears. and Reubel
, Gray. who had heard all from the door
announced his intention Of breaking sue
an unjust will.
you may try It," was all Lawyer Fa,
said to the threat.
VIII came slowly forward and con
graduated Margie IN her good fortune.
And my congratulations are none tn
less sincere that with them 1 resign tn
sweetest hope Of my lire." he said.
Resign a fiddlestick!'" 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 kin. Then she mad
him blow these cups of tinted glass, wit
the central cavity and spring. She In
serted a ruby In each cup, which com
bined with the different tints, gave then
their rich coloring. He watched he
hide the rubies and he has kept the Sc
cret. Does he not merit some reward!'
Margle flushed n glanced timidly a
Will. Then she looked round for he
aunt and cousin. Both had disappeared
Take her, WILL" said the old lawyer
with twlnkling eye. "and bless We, m!
children"
With a melodramatic gesture he, too
vanished. and I think the young peopl
were not long in coming to an under
standing. for cards are now out for tn
wedding.-Leeds Mercury.