New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-19
THE RUBY HEART.


but now she was an old woman and her tiine
come TO die in the great, silent house llIied
with the furniture that had belonged 10 AuHt
Jcssica's forbears many score years ago. ana
enriched by the spoils of many lands. brought
home by the energetic hands OF Aunt JeSSica
herself.
There was one treasure above all that COW
eted. and that l would have sold my soul 10
have had for my own-my Cousin Edith.
AS for the money. well am not more dlsin-
tcrcsted than most people; but would rather
have had Edith without penny than all Aunt
Jessica's money without Edith.
William and Bertram and | were sitting In the
dining room. Edith was above helping poor
aunt in the hard work OF dying. Three raps
came on the floor. We knew they were a sig
nal that we were to go up. and that aunt had
asked for US; and up went.
Il have left everything divided among you
four" she said; and the ruby heart is to so to
whichever OF you three boys can find it," She
spoke slowly and with difficulty.
! remembered the jolly old days when she used
to come and see us at school and tip us. and
wished that death and time could have been
more merciful She went
You know it has n charm TO make you happy
in your love. 1t would have made me happy
but he died. and 1t hadn't a chance to do its
work; and my times come-it has been
weary waiting"
And with that-the first and last hint we ever
had OF romance in my aunts life-she turned
like a tired child's and there were only four OF
US left in the ROOM
After the funeral and the reading Of the will
shall take the library and aunt's bedroom
first" said Bertram. AS these were the rooms
she had most used. | imagine he thought he had
made the best choice. you other fellows can
arrange you like."
William chose the drawing room and the guest
chamber. and they took the whole day searching
systematically inch by inch for the ruby heart.
began to look in the dining ROOM but Edith
came in.
DO you care so very much for the ruby
heart" said she
II confess | should like to find it," answered.
Shall | help you to look
She pulled out n book or two from the shelves
IN an aliiicSS. d"Sultpry way. and then said
It's very sunshny out of doors. don't you
think"
SO went IN the river
The next day | began TO took Cor the heart
again Edith sent her duenna -comp"ni (who
had once been her governess, 10 ask me il
did not think it would be- nice TO drive or
course. | said I thought II would. and on we
went
That evening sh. asked Bcrtram and William
n they would like 10 come out next day to see
ruins
Thanks" said Bertram. but think my first
duty TO poor aunts memory IL to find that
heart"
"Besides." said william. who never had much
sentiment. ike Brr'rim. ITS worth Thousands of
pounds. / believe"
TO say nothing IF Tho charm" added
But your come. WIlfri2" she said. looking
At me with her soft gray eyes
'Of course" | answered
Bcrtrlm and William scowlcd At me They
would have given their ears their lives any
thing. in short. but their chances ~ ruby
heart worth thousands IF pounds Tor The priv
hgc that 10 bc minc Tomorrow.
To be- in love with Cousin Edith VAS a mode.
4 fashion. among ~ Besides. Edith was now
an heiress
As soon AZ have fulfilled dear aunt. last
wishes" said B"rtram-he talked. the silly fool.
II aunt had wished him to find the heart
4 shall hc only too glad 10 accompany my |
Cousin Edith On any excursion she may pro- !
pose"
SO shan l." said William.
50 Edith and went 20 the rains alon" to- |
gcthcr
aunt's memory she said. drove snugly /
back in the dogcdrt that evening Our going out |
like this But couldn't bear 70 stay in the
old house alone where she was So kind To me. !
It's better t0 go out. and I'm sure she would
have wished II
fclt that it was foolish Of NE not to make an /
effort to find the ruby heart so next morning |
got up very early and came down before the |
servants about had pulled ont half the |
drawers Of the Chinese cabinet ard looked into !
them when my heart ieaped INTO my mouth at /
the touch Of a hand on my shDui'r-E dith's' /
Still after that wretched ruby" she said !
How you waste your time
why Don't you think shall lind it,
Il dOI't know" she said. looking At me with /
her eyes wide open. but don't think you will !
find II there because 5crtram has been through /
that three times already. Did you ever eat /
Strawberries before breakfast and gather them
your.scif"'
SO we went into the Kitchen garden and ate /
Strawberries till the gong rang for breakfast /
Berram and william were getting luIte aulky /
and savage from the npn-SUcc"sS II IN 'ir ,
search and the little time had DEVOTED to IT |
annoyed them
Il bcliey,." SAID Brr'ram. With an air y gay /.
ETY., a lttlc ovcrdonr. that Wlfri thinks H. /
knows where the heart IL. and that he can put I.
his hand on IT al any moment
Il wish couId." ! SAID
'' You wish wnfr.l T., hni the hcarrr' said 7