St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1898-03-26
THE RUBY HEART.

A UNIT JESSICA had beeen round the
~ world more than once. She had
been what is vulgarly called globe
trotter." In her day she had collected
many rare and curious and beautiful
things; but now she was an old woman
and her time was come to die in the
great silent house, filed with the furni
ture that had belonged to Aunt Jessica's
forbears many score years ago. and en-
riched by the spoils of many lands,
brought home by the energetic hands OF
Aunt Jessica herself
There was one treasure above all that
] coveted, and that j would have sold
my soul 10 have had for my own--my
cousin Edith.
As for the money, well. / am not more
disintercsted than most people; but
would rather have had Edith without
penny than all Aunt Jessica's money
without Edith.
William and Bertram and / were sit
ting 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 signal that
we were to 60 up. and that aunt had
asked for us. and up we went.
Il have left everything divided among
you four" she said; land the ruby heart
is to go 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 on:
..You know it has charm to make
you happy in your love. 1t would have
made me happy, but he died. and il
hadn't chance to do. its work; and now
nv times come-it has been weary
waiting.
And with that-the first and last hint
we ever had of a romance in my aunt's
life-she turned her wrinkled old face
10 the pillow with sigh like tired
child's and there were only four of us
left in the room.
After the funeral and the reading OF
the will we three men set TO work to
find the charm.
Il shall take the library and aunt's
bedroom first" said Bertram. As these
were the rooms she had most used.
imagined he thought he had made the
best choice. "You other fellows can
arrange as 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. be
ran to look in the dining room, but
Edith came in.
do you care SO very much Tor the
ruby hearth" she said.
II confess should like to find it"
answered.
.shall I help you to look?"
She pulled out a book or two from the
shelves in an aimless, desultory way.
and then said:
ITS very sunshiny out Of doors, don't
you Think
So we went on the river.
The next day began to look for the
heart again. Edith sent her duenna
companion fwho had once been her gov
erness) TO ask me if did not think II
would be nice to drive. OF course said
/ thought it would. and off we went.
That evening she asked Bertram and
William if they would like TO come out
next day to see some ruins.
.Thanks," said Bertram. ''but I think
my first duty to my poor aunt's memory
/. to find that heart"
.Besides." said William. who never
had much sentiment. like Bertram. its
worth thousands of pounds. believe.
.To say nothing of the charm."
added.
aBut you'll come. Wilfrid?" she said,
looking at me with her soft gray eyes.
.sOf course I answered.
Rertram and William scowled at me.
they would have given their ears, their
lives. anything. in short, but their
chances of ruby heart worth thou
sands of pounds for the privilege that
ms to be mine tomorrow.
TO be IN love with Cousin Edith was |
mode. fashion among us. Besides, |
Edith was now an heiress.
.Ass soon as have fulfilled dear aunt's |
1.et wishes" said Bertram-he talked. |
thc silly fool. as if aunt had wished him |
~ find the heart-.I shall be only too |
clad to accompany my Cousin Edith on
eny excursion she may propose"
$50 shall L. said William.
So Edith and / went to the ruins |
alone together.
~ hope it does not seem like disre- /
.,,ect TO poor aunt's memory" she said.
= We drove snugly back in the dog |
,.rt that evening, .tour going out like
sh;< But couldn't bear to stay in the |
Ia house alone where she was so kind |
81 me. It's better to GO out, and I'm |
-. she would have wished It,"
felt that il was foolish Of me not to |
~ m effort to find the ruby heart. |
-, .ext morning got up very early and
,.s,.,e down before the servants were |
1.,,ont. I had pulled out half the drawers
81 n Chinese cabinet and looked into |
sh.m. when my heart leaped into my
q 1870 ~.,4h II the touch of hand on my
s5onlder Edith's!
sa4iIl nffer that wretched rnby.s she
u - .sHow you waste your time."
@ ~1rhy3 DON'T you think I shall find