Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-02-16

and her time was come to die in the
great silent house, filed with the furni-
ture that had belonged to Aunt Jessi-
cas- forbears many score years ago,
and enriched by the spoils of many
lands, brought home by the energetic
hands of Aunt Jessica herself.
There was one treasure above all that
I coveted, and that l would have sold
my soul to have had for my own-my
cousin Edith.
As for the honeywell. I am not
more disinterested than most people;
but i 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 a signal that
we were to go up, and that aunt had
asked for us; and up we went.
Il have left everything divided
among you four" she said; "and the
ruby heart is to go to whichever of you
three boys can find it" She spoke slow
ly ard 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 merctful.
She went on.
You know 1t has a charm to make
you happy in your love. 1t would have
made me happy, bur he died, and it
hadn't a chance to do its work; and
now my 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
Hfe-she turned her wrinkled old face
to the pillow with a sigh like a tired
chllds. and there We're 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, 1 imagine he thought he had
made the best choice. You other fel
lows can arrange as you hkei'
William chose the drawing-room and
the guest chamber, and they took the
whole day searching Systematically
inch by inch for the ruby heart. l be-
gan to look in the dining groom, but
Edith came in.
DO you care 50 very much for the
ruby hearth" said she.
Il confess 1 should like to find it,"
answered.
shall l 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 thinkT
SO we went ON the river.
The nexa day L began to look for the
heart again. Edith sent her dueuna
companion (who had once been her
governess) to ask me If 1 did not think
It would be nice to drive. OF course
said l thought 1t would, and off we
went.
That evening she asked Bertram and
William If they would Hike to come out
next day to see some ruins
my first duty to my poor aunt's mem
ory is TO find that heart"
Besides" said William, who never
had much sentiment, like Bertram, 'ft's
worth thousands of pounds, believe"
"To say nothing of the charm"
added.
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, but their
chances of a ruby heart worth thou
sands of pounds for the privilege thar
was to be mine tomorrow.
To be in love with cousin Edith was
a mode, a fashion, among us. Besides,
Edith was now an heiress.
LAS soon as l have fulfilled dea,
aunts last Wishes" said Bertram-he
talked. the silly fool, US If aunt had
wished him to find the heart-'1 shall
be only too glad to accompany my
cousin Edith on any excursion she may
propose
so shall l." said William.
So Edith and l went to the ruins
alone together.
II hope it does not seem like disre-
spect TO poor aunt's memory" she said,
as we drove snugly back in the dog cart
tuat eEening our going out like this.
But I couldn't bear to stay IN the old
house alone where she was so kind 10
me. It's better to go out, and I'm sure
she would have wished It."
/ felt that it was foolish Of me moi
to make an effort to find the ruby heart
and came down before the servants
we're about. l had pulled out half the
drawers of the Chinese cabinet and
looked into them, when my heart leap
ed into my mouth at the touch of a
hand on my shoulder-Edith's!
"Still after that wretched ruby she
said. How you waste your timer
Why? Don't you think shall find
ttY'
II don't know" she said, looking at
me with her eyes wide open. but
don't think you Will find 1t there, be
cause Bertram has been through that
three times already. Did you ever eet
strawberries before breakfast and
ga lher them yourself"
So we went into the kitchen garden
and ate strawberries till the gong rang
for breakfast. Bertram and William
were getting quite sulky and savage
from the non-success of their search,
and the little time had devoted to II
annoyed them.
'I believe" said Bertram, with an
etr Of saye&J, Q LITTLE overdolA, that