The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-02-05

SO NY She had been what
SKkh is vulgarly called q
.ZIS/K@ ''globe-trotter" In
81 I - her day she had cel
~ i e. lected many rare and
curious and beautiful things; but now
she was On old woman, and her time
was como 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 oil
that I coveted-my cousin Edith.
AS for the money, we'll, am not
more disinterested than most people;
but I would rather have had Edith
without penny than MI Aunt Jes-
sica's money without Edith.
William and Bertram and I wero
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 q
signal that we were to 60 up, and that
aunt had asked for us; and up wo
went. ..
II have left everything divided
among you FOUR she said; "and the
ruby heart is to 80 to whichever Of
you three boys can find it," She
spoke slowly and with difficulty.
I remembered the jolly old days
when she used to come and see us at
school and tip us, and I 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 it hadn't n chance to do it's work;
and now my times come--it has been
weary waiting"
And with that-the first and last
hint we ever had Of romance in my
aunt's life-she turned her wrinkled
old face to 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.
IT shall take the library and aunt's
bedroom first" said Bertram. As
these were the rooms she had most
used, I imagine 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 systemat-
ically inch by for the ruby heart. I
began to look in the dining. room, but
4 Edith came in.
"Do you care so very much for the
ruby hearth" said she.
II confess I should like to find it,"
I answered.
"Shall I help you to look?",
She pulled out book or Two from
the shelves in an aimless, lesultory
way. and then said:
cts 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 I did not think
it would be nice to drive. OF course,
! said I 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 poor aunt's
memory is to find that heart"
Besides" said William, who never
had much sentiment like Bertram,
cts worth thousands Of pounds, /
believe"
ITO say nothing Of the CHARM"
"But you'll come, Wilfrid?", she
said, looking at mo with her soft gray
eyes.
"Of course" 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
thousands of pounds for the privilege
that was to be mine tomorrow.
To be in love with Cousin Edith
was q mode, fashion, among us.
Besides, Edith was now an heiress.
"As soon as I have fulfilled dear
aunt's last Wishes" said Bertram-he
talked, the silly fool, as if aunt had
wished him to find the heart-'I
shall be only too glad to accompany
my Cousin Edith on any excursion
she may propose"
$50 shall T." said William.
So Edith and l went to the ruins
alone together.
II hope it does not seem like dis
respect to poor aunt's memory" she