The Forrest City times., 1893-12-01
A STRANGE WILL.
1t Brought Fortune and Happiness
 to Two Lovers.

Yes, she was dead at last Margaret Demorest, of Stony Lodge - and the shock of her demise had shaken Belle vue from center to circumference. For years her numerous relatives each with an eye to the estate, had watched her movements from respectful dis tance, which she herself had interposed between them, and their hearts had grown sick with hope deferred.
 Heart disease, the doctors said, when she was found one morning with smile of peace frozen On her stern and withered features. The relatives ac- cepted the verdict with due resigna- ton, following the remains of the ''dear departed" to their final resting place amid an ostentatious display of crape. But when the will was read the excite ment of the heirs-at-law rapidly ascended to fever heat. Always eccen- tric in life, Miss Demorest had retained that eccentricity to the end and woven ii into her last will and testament.
 With the exception of a few bequests to her servants, the whole of her prop erty, landed and personal, to wit:
  with its beautiful park, which was very Eden of loveliness; Rose Villa, her winter resort on Lake Helen, Fla. to- gether with splendid house in town and money to the amount of five hun dred thousand dollars, was to pass into the sole possession of that one among her kinsfolk who should discover the hiding place of the twelve Demorest rubies
 Should the gems remain undiscov- cred after the lapse of one year from the date of death the estate was to be sold and a home for old maids founded with the proceeds.
 ..The old cat." muttered fashionable Mrs. Meredith. viciously. 'She hid those rubies herself, the spiteful thing!'
 Ut is too provoking" pouted her pretty daughter Maude.
 "I shall contest the will" said thin tipped Reuben Gray. Ut cannot stand"
 Mrs. Meredith was Miss Demorests niece and Reuben Gray her nephew. The two were brother and sister and the nearest akin to the 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 girl of obscure parentage-"a pauper, Miss Demorest called 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 had remained obdurate--and she was now serving in the capacity of maid to her beautiful cousin Mauje.
 Margie Vane was not present at the reading of tSe will Mrs Meredith con- sidered it unnecessary, and Margie her self had not the faintest hope of being remembered kindly by her fathers stern old relative. When, therefore, they returned in anger and disapnoint- ment and gave an account of the word ing of the will Margie's hazel eyes opened wide with wonder.
 That afternoon and many ensuing afternoons Mrs. Meredith, Maude and Margie walked over to Stony Lodge and wandered fruitlessly about amid the treasures of bric-a- -brac, statuary, books and rare old china.
 On one of these occasions Margie met Will Demorest, a cousin several times removed of her father. He was a 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 acter.
 By occupation he was an artist in glass-blowing, having learned the art in Venice. He had done considerable