Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-10-11
MY GRAHDMOTHER'S
DIAMOND.
BY RUBY MAYNE.

when l die. My diamonds will so to
sNinthrop Mayne's wife"
So saying my grandmother deposited
1pon the table goOd-sized ebony box,
9nlaid with silver; and fitting in its
Jock the little key she always wore at
her watch-guard, flashed wide the lid.
My grandmothers 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 kindled the first spark of
rivalry that ever glowed between my
sister Drusy and me. We had each
set of pearls. Drusy had a handsome
get of sapphires, beside, and l of ru-
3ies. Mine were for my name, which
Fas Ruby. But these were as nothing
beside grandmothers diamonds.
Winthrop Mayne was the prince of
Che family, grandmother said. He was
the son Of dearly loved half-brother,
and immensely wealthy. We had not
seen him for years-not since we were
children-till the evening of the day
on which grandmother made the an
nOuncement that we were to have
$250.00O each at her death.
and that her diamonds were to so TO
Winthrop Mayne's wife.
Mrs. ThrogmortOn, as we were
taught to call grandmother OH all cere-
monious occasions, was in state of
the liyeliest glee at the thought of see
ing her nephew; and Drusy and new
er made such careful toilets before.
Drusy was two years older than I,
tall and graceful, and fair-faced, like a
lily. She wore white silk dinner
dress with her sapphres.
l was little, and dark, with black
eyes, and cheeks like pomegranate
hearts. l wore cerise satin, and no
ornaments.
Mrs. Throgmorton scolded when she
saw me; but Winthrop Mayne, who
was with her, declared, as l had de-
Eided, that even a flower would have
spoiled the effect. and said some pretty
things about my looks, that l instinc-
lively perceived displeased graidmoth-
er. Drusy was her favorite.
At the first opportunity grandmother
reproved me sharply for bursting into
the room as l had, without waiting to
be sent for.
"But, grandma" l pleaded. 81
thought Mr.. Mayne was making his
toilet in his own rooms and l wanted
ua,, 70 COO how I look o6 -
At this moment my sister entered
the drawing-re and Mrs Throg
morton's eyes sparkled as she led
Drusy toward her nephew.
NJ! heart was chaos of gratified
vanity, of childish anger at the reproof
just administered, of bitter envy of
my sisters queenly loveliness.
retraated, unobserved into cor
ner where high-backed sofa hid my
brilliant plumage. and through the
fretwork of the carving watched the
three.
Winthrop Mayne. with his tawny
beard. his magnificent stature, was
my ideal of the kingly creature long
since chosen as my hero.
How he was impressed with my Sis
ter's appearance | could not gather
from his manner, but | saw his deep
blue eyes send now and then n search
ing glance to the farthest corner of the
room, and l shrank every time lest
that azure lightning should fall ON me
In my hiding.
He must have caught some fame
like glimpse of my dress. for he rose
presently as Drusy was about to ring
for a servant to send for me. and
came straight to my lurking place.
"Winty, my dear" said Mrs. Throg-
morton, abruptly, as dinner was an
nounced, you may take out Drusilla.
] have n fancy to see how YOU two
will look together. Ruby, you must
give me your arm.
| sat upon her left, and my sister
and the prince upon her right. There
was a large vase of hot-house flowers
precisely between Winty Mayne's
dark blue eyes and mine. and grand
mother frowned mt me every time |
spoke. She was fond Of me. too; but
discovered very soon that she had set
her heart on making a match between
my sister and the prince.
"Drusilla viii look well In diamonds. T"
she would whisper To me. significantly
or. II wouldn't go into the library just
now, Ruby; your sister and Winty are
there"
They were always together. aud |
did not hinder them; on the contrary,
! rejected and avoided every possible
opportunity OF joining either In their
morning rambles or their evening ling
ering In the music room or library.
Sometimes the princes dark blue
eyes reproaehed my avoidance, | i'm,
aglned. aud now and then his lips pui
the reproach In words; but | only
laughed at him.
My sister demonstrated with me. too
aud told her GROSSLY. that she nee,l
not mlnd-she had al the better ehancs
.f aa.fna wiutv AaVu. haea.lf