Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1898-01-15

X AtCtCA IAAt 1Ah
curious and beautiful things; but now
she was an old woman, and her time
was come TO die in the great. silent
house filled with the furniture that
had belonged to Aunt Jessica's for
bears 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-my cousin Edith.
AS for the money, well, 1 am not
more disinterested than most people;
but 1 would rather have had Edith
without a penny than all Aunt jos
sica's money without Edith.
William and Bertram and I 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
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 20 go 10 whichever Of
you three boys can find il" She
spoke slowly and with difficulty.
remembered the Jolly old DAYS
when she used 70 come and see rs at
school and tip us, and / wished that
death and time could have been more
merciful She went on:
You know il has a charm to make
you happy in your love. It would
have made me happy. but he died,
and IL hadn't a chance 10 do ITS work
and now my times comet has been
weary waiting"
And with that-the first and last
hint we ever had of a romance in my
cunts lne-she turned her wrinkled
old lace to the pillow with a sigh like
tired child's, and there were only
four of rs left in the room.
After the funeral and the reading OF
the will we three men set TO work TO
fnd the charm.
Il 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 as You iker'
William chose the drawing room
and the guest chamber, and they took
the whole day searching systemat-
ically inch by for the ruby heart. ]
began 10 look in the dining room, but
Edith came in.
do Won care so very much for the
ruby hearth" said she.
II confess l should like TO find it, -
answered
"Shall help You TO look?''
She pulled ont book or two from
the shelves in an aimlcss, 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 (who had once been her
governess), to ask me if did not think
il would be nice TO drive. OF course.
said thought it would, and of We
went.
That evening she asked Bertram
and William If they would like 10
come out next day TO see some ruins.
Thanks" said Bertram, ''but ]
think my first duty to poor cunts
memory is to find that heart.
Besides, said William, who never
had much sentiment like Bertram,
'it's worth thousands of pounds, ]
believe"
ITO say nothing of the charm, >
Iadded.
But you'll come, wilfrid?" she
said, looking at me with her soft gray
eyes.
''Of course" I answered.
Bertram and William scowled at me
They would have given their ears
their lives, anything, in short, bal
their chances of ruby heart worth
thousands of pounds for the privilege
that was TO be mine tomorrow.
To be in love with Cousin Edith
was mode, a fashion, among US
Besides, Edith was now an heiress.
'As soon as / have fulfilled dea,
nunt's last Wishes" said Bertram-h,
talked, the silly fool, as if aunt haS
wished him to find the heart
shall be only too glad to accompan,
my Cousin Edith ON any excursion
abe may propose"
so shall /, said William.
So Edith and / went to the ruin.
alone together.
Il hope it does not seem like dis
respect 70 poor aunt's memory" sh'
eaid. as we drove snuqly back in Tn