Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-10-27

daughter, Marjorie Dare. the sum Of
$1,000 and the ruby girdle concealed IN
the partition of my old writing desk,
so read Lawyer Hale.
Colonel Dare had been dead just year
when, according to directions the lawyer
had requested the immediate relatives
to assemble at Rainsforth hall for the
opening of the colonel's will.
After requests to all the near rela-
tives and the old servants the hall and
entire estate, with the exception Of the
above clause, was left to his son Don.
There was a blank look on the faces
of all present. No one had ever heard
of the ruby girdle, and it seemed pre-
posterous that the colonel should not
have made ample provision for his favor
lite child,
Lawyer Hale could throw no light on
the matter except that the colonel had
said, Marjorie will be rich enough, for
shall leave her the maharajah's girdle."
AS soon as Marjorie had recovered
from her surprise she begged the law
yer to look for the girdle.
He was sitting beside the old desk.
and, opening it, he searched thoroughly
in every part. but nothing was TO be
seen of the jewels.
Marjorie turned TO her brother and
said. well. Don. You have a penniless
sister on your hands
Putting his arm around her, Don said,
my father knew that you would always
be my first thought, dear, and ! shall
take care TO merit his confidence" Then
in a whisper for her ear alone he said
mischievously, Il shall not have you long
'on my hands, am afraid"
A blush rose to Marjorie's brow as she
thought of the handsome fellow TO whom
she had recently plighted her troth. He
was the son of the squire, whom she had
known all her life. Eric Churchill was 10
years older than Marjorie and had al
ways thought of her as a little girl.
When our war with Spain opened, he
joined the Rough Riders. On his return
home he found the coloneI's daughter al
most stranger to him.
In that short time she had blossoIned
into a very charming young maiden and
sedate 1t fascinated the young soldier to
see the beautiful gray eyes droop before
his ardent gaze, and in a few short weeks
he was madly in love with his old play
mate. The course of true love seemed to
run smoothly in this case, and they were
engaged.
The year of mourning for the colonel
having passed, they We're to be married
shortly, and one evening soon after read
ing OF the will the two lovers were sitting
in the window seat in the library. They
were talking of the pretty home that Eric
had furnished for his bride and Marjorie
said wistfully: Il wish, Eric, that | were
not a portionless girl. Even a ruby belt
would have been something. What do you
supnose has become of il ~
II do not know, my darling, and care
less, only that it would please you to
have it. Did your father never mention
it in his letters to you from India?"
"No, am sure he did not but l have
all his letters, and we will read them over
and see. | will get them at once"
Marjorie soon returned with an old
leather case. which she handed to Eric.
As she seated herself and leaned against
his shoulder to read the letters Eric could
not resist kissing the beautiful face so
close TO his again and again. Then to-
gether they read the letters carefully, but
found no mention of the girdle Of the ma
harajah.
Marjorie reread portion of the last
one. 1t ran thus my Dear Ones-I shall
always cherish this old desk for the mem
cries of the loving words | have written
to you on it,
With bound Marjorie sprang to her
feet, scattered letters and case on the
floor. "Oh, Eric! You do not suppose
papa meant this old desk? He had it
with him in India"
81 cannot say, my dear, but we can
soon tell, said Eric, almost as much ex-
cited as Marjorie. AS Eric lifted the COW
er he said breathlessly: II believe you are
right. This cover is too heavy for an or
binary desk"
Taking his penknife he gently pried the
cover apart, and there, ON a lining of
white velvet, lay a superb belt of rubes.
Marjorie gave a cry of delight as she
gazed at the lovely thing and then let
Erie clasp it around her waist. On the
quaint gold clasp was engraved, "For my
little Marjorie on her wedding day."
Tears filed Marjorie's eyes as she
thought of the loving father who could
not give her his blessing on that day, but
Eric, drawing her gently TO his arms,
said, My sweetheart, l viii be both
father and husband to you"
Marjorie was comforted, and as they
started to find Don and tell him the good
news Eric said. you cannot call your.
self portionless now, my lady, for if am
any judge of stones that girdle is worth
a kings ransom"
Marjorie turned with a winsome smile
"lf that is true, Eric. and you should
ever lose all your money we could man
age to exist on the 'maharajah's ruby Cir
die. boston Post.