Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-02-17
CHAPTER XXI.
THE STORY OF THE RAJAH's RUBY.

S1A1 lE1G AAll.
 THE STORY OF THE RAJAHs RUBY.
 As has already been stated, the won derful gem known as the rajah's ruby first came into prominence more than 200 years ago. Like all minerals, its age is beyond computation, but it is enough for present purposes to say that when it was carried to England by the doughty soldier whose title to its ownership it is not best to inquire into too particularly he took with it a series of superstitions that would have been incredible in these later days.
 But the period named was that in which the belief ill witchcraft was gen eral, and the clergy as we'll as the laity cherished fancies and beliefs at which our children would laugh.
 With the ruby was inclosed a writing on parchment, first engrossed ill San scrit and afterward translated into Eng fish, to the effect that the owner of the rajah's ruby could retain possession of it only by obeying certain requirements.
 First of all, he must always keep it in his possession-that is, he must never deposit it in the custody of another nor anywhere except beneath his own roof. He could take it with him if he chose while journeying but he must retain his guardianship over it. Thus the best course at his command was to place it in a strong safo in his own dwelling. That was precisely what was done by Miss Livermore, its last owner.
 The invention of the false gem was an idea of old Captain Ashleigh, who served Great Britain during our Revolution. The real jewel was kept in a secret drawer in the safe, while the counterfeit was left where burglar, after once ob- taining entrance, was sure to find it.
 The early British owners of the ruby were in constant dread of a visit of emis- saries from India. Overtures were made several times from different raiahs of that country for its purchase, but they were rejected, since another legend con- nected with the gem was that whOsoever parted with it for money would speedily meet with violent death.
 Two attempts were made to steal it, but the vigilance of its possessors pre- vented success, and shortly after the close of our war for independence the ruby was brought to this country by the grandfather of Miss Livermore. When it was left to her, she inherited with it the strange myths and fancies as well as the false gem, whose purpose she fully understood.
 While she shared to some extent this singular belief attaching to this jewel, she was lady of education and deep religious convictions. She wished to cast off the chain, though not wholly able to do so. There can be no doubt that her mental worriment over its pos session induced a state of nervousness which eventually reduced her to the con- dition of an invalid.
 Thus matters stood when Dr. Maid hoff, her family physician, learned the whole truth He was man of strong mind and had no patience with bigotry and superstition. This led him to use his utmost influence to persuade her to disregard all the absurd injunctions she had received with the heirloom.
 Ut has been curse to every one that had anything to do with it," he said. Sell it for the comfortable fortune it will bring and get rid of the pest"
 But, doctor, you know the penalty" she said, with smile i'll which there was no mirth.
 "Faugh! You do not believe any such rubbish"
 "No-that is, try not to believe it and do not. Yet when I contemplate the step I shrink with a dread that I suppose is mostly due to my poor health"
 Undoubtedly, and why, therefore, pay any heed to it?'
 "I wish 1t had never been left to me. If could will it to you or any one else, would do so."
 ''I don't want it, but want you to get well, which you will never do as long as you remain morbid over that. I shall give you no rest until the thing is sold and off your mind"
 A third injunction, coming down from former generations, was that the owner of the rajah's ruby must never give 1t away or will it to another until such an act was among the last of his or her life that is to say. while Miss Livermore was at liberty to designate by will the neSt owner of the gem, that owner could not receive it until the formers death. Thus, as long as the injunction was leSuSu, 4hISS 44AfS4llOA ASAAAebAAA tied to it, for such virtually was her situ- ation.
 While the good lady was in this state of incertitude and distress, Dr. Maid hoff received two valuable allies in the persons of che niece, Miss Glider, and her betrothed, Arthur Fairchild. They ridiculed her weakness with such suc- cess that she was forced to the deciding point.
 'I will sell it and take the chances. Heaven will not permit any harm to come to mo for such an innocent deed"
 It was at this juncture, while Miss Glider was absent among her friends and Fairchild was in another section on business, that the alarming letter arrived from India, written by Q person unknown to them, but who Miss Livermore in- stinctively felt was friend. She sent for Dr. Maidhoff and gave him the let ter. He read it through and was so an- gercd that he torethe missive in two and flung one portion in the grate. Then, feeling that he had been too nasty, he picked up the larger part, replaced it in the envelope and showed it into his pocket.
 His first impression was that this was
 attempt to terrify his patient into