The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1898-03-11

Jus buQ Dtiulll vi |
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 Jessi-
cas- forbears many score years ago.
aud enriched by the spells of many
lands, brought home by the energetic
hands OF Aunt Jessica herself.
There was one treasure above all that
/ coveted, and that 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 / 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 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 aud with difficulty.
remembered the jolly old days when
she used to come and see US Mt school
and tip us, and wished that death and
time could have been more merciful
She went on.
you know II has n charm to make
you happy In your love. 1t would have
made me happy. but he died. and II
hadn't chance to do It's work; and
now my times comet has been
weary waiting"
And with that--the arst and last hint
we ever had Of a romance In my aunt's
llfe-she turned her wrnkled old face
To the pillow with n 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, l imagine he thought he had
made the best choice. "You other fel-
lows can arrange as you Ike"
William chose the wing-room and
the guest chamber, and they took the
whole day searching Systematically
inch by inch for the ruby heart. be
gan to look in the dining but
Edith came IN.
do you care so very much for the
ruby hearth" said she.
Il confess should like to find It,"
answered.
'Shall l help you to lookr
She pulled out book or two from
the shelves In an almless. desultory
way. and then said:
Its very sunshiny out of doors, don't
you thinkr
SO we went on the river.
The nexa day began to look for the
heart again. Edith sent her duenna
companion (who had once been her
governcss) to ask me II l did not think
II would be nice to drive. OF course |
said l thought 1t would, and of we
went.
That evening she asked Bertram and
william n they would like to come out
next day TO see some ruins.
Thanks" said Bertram. but think
my first duty to my poor aunts mem
DRY Is to hnd that heart"
Besides" said William. who never
had much sentiment. like Bertram. 1T,
worth thousands OF pounds. believe
'ro say nothing of the charm"
added.
"But you'n come. WilfrldT she said
looking at me with her soft gray eyes
"Of course" answered.
Bcrtram and William scowled at me
They would have given their ears. thei
! lives. anything. In short. but thei
chances OF ruby heart worth thou
J sands OF pounds for the privilege tina
! was to be mine tomorrow.
= To be In love with cousin Edith wa
i a mode. fashion. among us. Besides
| Edith was now an heiress.
: AS soon as l have fulfilled dea
; aunt's last Wishes" said Bertram-h
talked. the silly fool. as II aunt ha
I wished him to find the heart--'I sha
2 be only too glad to accompany m
Z cousin Edith on any excursion she ma
propose"
$50 shall l." said William.
d SO Edith and l went to the ruin
|. alone together.
r Il hope II does not seem like disr
spect TO poor annt's memory" she sal
: as we drove snugly back in the dog ca
that evening. "our going out like thl