The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1898-03-31
mode, fashion among us. Besides,
Edith was now an heiress.

Edith was now an heiress.
"As soon as have fulfilled dear au1it'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"
80 shall l." said William.
So Edith and l went to the ruins
alone together.
Il hope it does not seem like disre-
spect to poor aunt's memory" she said.
as we drove snugly back in the dog
cart that evening, "our going out like
this. But l couldn't bear to stay in the
old house alone where she was so kind
to me. It's better to go out, and I'm
sure she would have wished it."
/ felt that il was foolish of me not to
make an effort to find the ruby heart.
So next morning l got up very early and
| came down before the servants were
| about. | bad pulled out half the drawers
of the Chinese cabinet and looked into
them, when my heart leaped into nv
mouth at the touch of hand on nv
shoulder--Edith's!
Still after that wretched ruby!" she
said. 'How you waste your time!"
why? Don't you think l shall find
it?
II don't know she said, looking at
me with her eyes wide open, 'but
don't think you will find it there. be-
cause Bertram has been through that
three times already. Did you ever eat
strawberries before breakfast and
| gather 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 nonsuccess of their search,
| and the little time l had devoted to it
annoyed them.
II believe" said Bertram, with an
air of gayety, little overdone, ''that
| Wilfrid thinks he knows where the
heart is, and that he can put his hand
on it at any moment"
81 wish l could" | said.
$50 do l." said Edith, almost in the
same breath.
you wish Wilfrid to find the hearth"
said William. "Why?"
"Oh, nc. l don't mean Wilfrid;
meant-at least Well, we shall all be
glad when it's settled one way or the
other, shan't we?''
had never told Edith loved her, be-
cause l didn't know how my aunt was
to leave her money, and if Edith was to
be heiress of the whoie--but anyone
will understand my reasons.
| 1t was a week after aunt's funeral
that went into the rose garden, where
Edith was shipping roses into basket.
i've been looking for the heart
again." said, "but l haven't found it."
NO. she answered, land l don't sup
pose you will. Would Gloire de Dion
be any compensation?
She began to stick one in my coat a.
she spoke. Her slender waist. in its
black gown, was very near my left arm
| where she stood.
Il will take the bud" said. but not
as compen sation for the heart
Don't you Think" she asked me-
that it might be possible to live hap
PLY without charm to help you?"
| No" said, mot without a charm tc
help you. But ruby hearts are not the
only charms in the world
| My arm fell on her waist
LET them find their ruby heart. Let
them chop it into pieces and divide it
| between them and sell the bits said l..
"And you are content with what you
have?" she asked
Il am content with what l have"
answered, and my other arm went
around her.
They never found that ruby heart,
| though the old house was tapped and
| tested from top to bottom. At last,
wearied out, they took the portion Of
| goods that fell unto them, and went,
fortunately for us, into far country.
| And Edith and l were married.
We didn't go on a wedding tour, but
came straight back to the dear old house.
On the evening of our wedding day
| we walked in the moonlight through
| the rose garden to listen to the nj ght-
| ingales. l stopped to hold her in my
| arms, on the very spot where | had first
kissed her, and the light shawl she wore
round her head and shoulders fell back.
whats that you have round your
| neck?'' | said, for sonnet hing darkened
the white laces on her breast.
She did not answer. l put up my
hand, touched with thrill the white
ress of her neck, and found in my
fingers the ruby heart.
Then she gave it to you,' said; "it
is yours?'
"Shc gave it into my keeping an
swered Edith. dropping her chin till her
lips rested on my hand; "but she left
il to the man who should find it,"
''-And l have found it-here!'-Thc
| ..rgosy.
An Objectionable Diversion.
Foster-So her father refused to con-
sent to your marriage with his daugh-
ter.
IL r