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


look for the rubies with the rest of
us, said Mrs. Meredith, with sneer,
as she found the young glass blower
examining the books in the library
one morning. Yet | thought you
abhorred mercenary considerations.
/ am not in quest of gems, Will
replied, as his blue eyes rested in
unmistakable admiration on Margie's
fair sweet face.
Humph! l hope you don't take
me for lunatic or a fool, Will
Demorest, was the scathing re-
joinder.
For neither, | assure you, said
Will, with a bow. Only at present
| am more interested in pearls than
rub1es. Cousin Margie, may l show
YOU the house? l believe l know it
more thoroughly than most people.
Margie shyly acquiesced and the
two went off together, leaving Mrs.
Meredith and Maude 10 continue
their search.
Are you anxious to find the rubies
also? asked Will, as they paused in
the china closet to admire the cut
glass.
have not even looked for them,
answered Margie. with 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
had never taken the slightest notice
of me. This being the case, |
should not feel entitled to join in the
search for the rubies, even if |
desired to do SO.
They are magnificent gems, said
Will, and were never set. saw
them Just once, and they nearly took
my b. cath away.
should like to see them, Margie
said, musinely, but oh, Will, were
they more beautiful than those ex-
quisite cups? Surely that is impos-
sible.
The cups IN question were indeed
exquisite. Blown of the costliest
Venetian glass, lily shaped, with
curled leaves tor saucers and glow
ing with rainbow tints, they resem-
bed nothing SO much as bed of
gorgeous, tropical flowers.
Margie's eyes sparkled as she
looked at them.
How lovely! How dainty! How
fairy like! she exclaimed breath
lessly. See, Will, this one is exactly
like an opal with touch OF fire! and
here is an amethyst, and here glow
ing emerald. Oh, Will. do look!
See how that strange glow as OF hid
den flashes from each! This one is
iacinth, this beryl, and-Will Demo-
crest, here is a ruby! Oh, the
beauty! The real gems cannot be
more superb.
As she spoke she took the cup into
her hand. VIII half started forward
as ii to prevent her, but drew back
again with pale, startled face.
But how fragile it is, Will! COM
mented Margie, turning it round and
round. Surely Aunt Demorest
never drank tea out OF them And
where did she find the beautiful
things?
Margie, cried the former, put
down that cup and came along. |
should think you would have more
pride than to dawdle here all day
with Will 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. eh? he said.
sarcastically. But Miss Margie
seems to be the only successful one
of the party. This a rare bit of
glass, Miss Margie, and was blown
by our friend here, with motion of
his hand toward Will.
Margie's hand tiehtened on the
cup in her surprise; her rosy finger
pressed raised stamen in the calyx
of the lily bell, when presto! change
it sank beneath her touch, and her
startled eyes gazed straight into a
small cavity where glowed ruby
of inestimable value, like a drop oi
rosy fire.
Solved! shouted Lawyer Fay, as
his eyes also behold the gems.
Will, very white, shrank back
against the wall, while Mrs. Mere
dith and her daughter pressed closer
to Margie and the lawyer.
The rubies! grasped the avarlcious
woman making a dive for the other
cup.
But the lawyer placed herself in
her way.
| beg your pardon, he said. The
discovery is Miss Margie's, and ii
accordance with the terms OF the vii
OF my deceased client she is sole
heiress to the Demorest estate.