The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1894-01-02

said, musingIy; ''but oh, Will. were
they more beautiful than these ex
qulslte cupsg Surely that is impossible.
The cups in question were, indeed.
exquisite. Blown of the costliest Vene
tan glass, lily 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 as she looked
at them.
"How lovelyl How dainty How
fairy like - she exclaimed, breathlessly.
"See, Will; this one is exactly like an
opal with a touch of fire, and EeTe is
an amethyst and here a glowing
emerald. Oh, Will, do lookl See how
that strange glow, as of hidden fire,
flashes from eachI The one is jacinth,
this beryl, and-Wm Demorest, here
is a ruby! Oh, the beauty! The real
gems cannot be more superb!"
As she spoke she took the ruby cup
into her hand. Will half startled for
ward as if t. prevent her, but drew
back again with a pale, startled face.
Before he could frame a reply Mrs.
Meredith and Naude appeared upon
the scene.
"Margie," cried the former, put
down that cup and come along. I
should think you would have more
pride than to dawdle here all day talk
ing with Will Demoreet."
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, ehH" he said,
sarcastically. But Miss Margie seemed
to be the only successful one of the
party. This is a rare bit of glass, Miss
Margie, and was blown by our friend
here" with a motion of his hand to-
ward Will.
Margie's hand frightened on the cup
in her surprise, her rosy forefnger
pressed a raised stamen in the calyx of
the lily bell, when, presto! changeI it
sank beneath her touch, and her
startled eyes gazed straightinto a small
cavity where glowed a ruby of ines
Unable value, like a drop of rosy fire.
'Solvedr shouted Lawyer Fay, as
his eyes also beheld the gems.
Will, very white, shrank back
against the wall, while Mrs. Meredith
and her daughter pressed closer to
Margie and the lawyer.
1.-The rubiesr' gasped the avaracious
woman, making a dive for the other
cup.
But the lawyer placed himself in her
way.
81 beg your pardon" he said. "The
discovery is Miss Margie's and, in &C
cordance with the terms of the will OF
my deceased client, she is sole heiress
to the Demorest estate"
Mrs. Meredith grew pale with cha.
grin. Maude burst into tears, and
Reuben Gray, who had heard all from
the door, announced his intention OF
breaking such an unjust will.
You may try it, was all Lawyer
Fay said to the threat.
Will came slowly forward and con.
graduated Nargie on her good fortune.
"And my congratulations are none the
less sincere because with them l resign
the sweetest hope of my life" he said.
Resign a hddlestick !" muttered the
old lawyer. "Aargie. that boy refused
to be made Miss Demorest's heir-in,
sisted that it would be an injustice to
those nearer of kin. Then she made
him blow these cups of tinted glass,
with the central cavity and spring.
She inserted a ruby in each cup, which,
combined with the different tints, gave
them their rich coloring. He watched
her hide the rubies and he has kept the
secret. Does he not merit some re.
wardf"
Margie flushed and CLAN led timidly
at Will. Then che looked around fol-
her aunt and cousin. Both had disap'
peared.
"Take her, Will, said the ~oldlawyer,
with twinkling eyes, land bless ye, my
children"
With a melodramatic gesture he,
too, vanished, and l think the young
people were not long in coming to an
understanding, for cards are now out