Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1898-02-18

things: but now she
was an old woman.
and her time was GENE to die In the
great silent house. filled with the furni-
ture that had belonged to Aunt Jessi-
cas- forbears many score years ago,
and enriched by the spells Of many
lands, brought home by the energetic
hands Of Aunt Jessica herself.
There was one treasure above all that
! coveted. and that would have sold
my soul to have had for my own-my
cousin Edith.
As for the mOney-well. l am not
more disInterested than most people;
but l would rather have had Edith
without penny than all Aunt Jessica's
money without Edith.
william and Bcrtram and were sit
ting in the dining-r0Om. Edith was
above, helping poor aunt In the hard
work Of dying. Three raps came on the
door. We knew they were signal that
we were to 60 up, and that aunt had
asked for us; and up we went.
II have left everything divided
among you four" she said; land the
ruby heart u to go to whichever Of you
three boys can ind It," She spoke slow
" and with difllculty.
remembered the jolly old days when
She used 10 come and see US ut school
and tip rs, and wished that death and
time could have been more merciful.
She went on.
~Y0u know It has Q charm to make
you happy In your love. 1t would have
made me happy, but he died. and It
hadn't q chance to do Its work; aud
now my times come-lt has been
weary waiting"
And with that--the Arst and last hint
We ever had OF romance In my aunt's
1ife-she turned her wrinkled old face
to the, pillow with a sigh like tired
child's, and there were only four Of u
lett In the room.
After the funeral and the reading Of
the win we three men set to work Il
and the charm.
u II shall take the library and aunt's
bedroom nrst." said Bertram. Al
these were the rooms she had mos
used, imagine he thought 1e hat
made the best choice. you other Eel
lows can arrange as you Hike"
william chose the dra wing room Hnt
the guest cha mber. and they took thu
whole day searching syatematicall!
inch by inch for the ruby heart. be
ran to look In the dining room. bu
Edith came In.
'.Do you care so very much for tn
ruby hearth" said she.
II confess should like to find It,"
anewered.
'.Shall I help you to look?"
She pulled out n book or two from
the shelves In an almless. desultor
way, and then said:
Its very sunsMny out Of doors. don
you thinkY"
So we went on the river.
The nexa day began to look for tn
heart again. Edith sent her duenn
companion lwho had once been he
roverness, to ask me II did not thin
It would be nice to drive. OF course
said l thought It would. aud on "
f.
went.
That evening abe asked Bertram an
william II they would like to come u
next day to see some ruins.
Thanks" said Bertram. hut I thin
my first duty to my poor aunt's neu
DRY Is to flnd that heart"
Resides" said William. who new,
had much sentiment, like Rertram. ut
worth thousands of pounds, believe
3 ITO say nothing Of the charm"
added.
"But you'll come. Wilfridy' she sal
looking Mt me with her soft gray eye
''Of COURSE" answered.
Bertram and William scowled at m
They would have given their ears. the
lives. anything, In short. but the
chances OF Il ruby heart worth tho
sands Of pounds for the privilege tn
was to be mine tomorrow.
To be In love with cousin Edith vi
4 mode. a fashion, among US. Beside
Edith was now an heiress.
.As soon as have fulfilled de
aunt's last Wishes" said Bertram-l
talked, the silly fool as II aunt b,
wished him to find the heart-'I sh,
be only too glad to accompany n
cousin Edith on any excursion she m,
propose"
80 shall l." said William.
SO Edith and l went to the rul
alone together.
II hope Il does not seem like dlsl
spect to poor aunt's memory" she sal
. We drove snugly back In the dog q
that svenins. 'our going out IKE tn