The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1900-12-01
MY GRANDMOYHER'S
DIAMOND.
BY RUBY MAYNE.


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you will have $25O,O0O apiece, girls
when l die. My diamonds will so t
Winthrop Mayne's WIFE"
So saying my grandmother deposited
upon the table good-sized ebony box
inlaid with silver; and fitting in it
lock the little key she always wore al
her watch-guard. flashed wide the lid
My grandmother's diamonds! There
they were-great wells Of light. petri
fed sunbeams. AS we beheld them ly'
ing upon their white, velvet cushions,
one blaze OF splendor. we girls uttered
simultaneously screams of wonder and
delight.
Thus was kindlcd the first spark OF
rivalry that ever glowed between my
sister Drusy and me. We had each .
set Of pearls. Drusy had handsome
set of sapphires. beside, aud l Of r'l-
bies. Mine were for my name. which
was Ruby. But these were as nothing
beside grandmother's diamonds.
Winthrop Mayne was the prince OF
the family, grandmother said. He was
the son of a dearly loved half-brother.
and immensely wealthy. We had not
seen him for ycars-not since we were
children-till the evening Of the day
OH which grandmother made the an
nouncement that we were to have
<25O,OOO each at her death.
and that her diamonds were to 60 10
Winthrop Mayne's wife.
Mrs. Throg,norton. as we were
taught to call grandmother on all cere-
monious occasions. was in state OF
the livelicst glee at the thought Of see
ing her nephew; and Drusy and l nev-
er made such careful toilets before.
Drusy was two years older than l.
tall and graceful. and fair-faced. like a
lily. She wore a white silk dinner
dress with her sapphires.
l was little, and dark. with black
eyes, and cheeks like pOmegranate
hearts. l wore cerise satin. and no
Mrs. Throgmorton scoldcd when she
saw me; but Winthrop Mayne. who
was with her. declared, as | had de-
.ided, that even a flower would have
spoiled the effect. and said some pretty
things about my looks, that instinc-
lively perceived displeased grandmoth-
,r. Drusy was her favorite.
At the first opportunity grandmother
.eproved me sharply for bursting into
he room as l had. without waiting to
,e sent for.
"But, grandma I pleaded, Il
hought Mr.. AIaync was making his
oilct IN his own rooms. and l wanted
'ou to see how l looked"
At this moment my sister entered
he drawing-room. and Mrs. Throg-
eyes sparkled as she led
)rusy toward her nephew.
My heart was 4 chaos OF gratified
anity. of childish anger at the reproof
ust administered, Of bitter envy Of
ny sisters quecnly lovcliness.
l retrcatcd, unobserved into cor
er, where 4 high-backed sofa hid my
brilliant llumage, and through the
network Of the carving watched the
llrcc.
Winthrop Mayne, with his tawny
eard, his magnificent stature, was
~ ideal Of the kingly creature long !
incc chosen rs my hero.
How he was impressed with my Sis
er's appearance l could not gather
rom his manner, but l saw his deep
lue eyes send now and then a search
,S glance to the fartlcst corner of the
pom, and ! slrank every time lest
lat azure lightning s.iculd fall on me
, my hiding.
lie must have caught some flame
kc glimpse o: my dress. for he rose
rcsentlv as Drusy was about to ring
)r servant to send for me. and
,me straight to in3' lurking-place.
'.Winty. my dear" said Mrs. Throg-
lorton, abruptly, as dinner was an
Ounced. ''you may take out Drusilla.
have q fancy to see how you two
Ill look together. Ruby. you must
We me your arm"
! sat upon her left. and my sister
I'll the prince upon her right. There
as large vase of dollhouse flowers
-eciscly between Winty Mayne's
,ri, blue eyes and mine. and grand
other frowned at nc every time l
,oke. She was fond OF me. too; but
very soon that she had set
n heart on making Il match between
v sister and the prince.
"Drusilla will look well in diamonds"
lc would whisper to me. significantly;
;, Il wouldn't so into the library just
wv. Ruby; your sister and Winty are
crc."
They were always together, and I
Il not hinder them: on the contrary.
rejected and avoided every possible
,portunity of joining either in their |