Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-15
THEKINGSRUBIES
A STORY FOR BOYS AND GIRLS.
BY adelaide Fuller Fell

Copyright by Henry T.. Coates & Co..
Dean gave grudging consent. and Phil
was soon busy with the flowers. Servants
brought a table from the house and carried
it up flight of stone steps which he had
failed to notice, so completely was it hid
den by low. overhanging species of ce-
dars.
1t led to a level stretch of ground on the
hillside, which was entirely inclosed by
evergreens In the center was an artificial
pond with fountain in it.
The table was placed on the green sward,
| and when it was trimmed to Antoinette' s
satisfaction Phil returned to his work with
Dean.
At noon, when he was busy with his lunch
basket he saw the little party come out Of
the house, first Gyp and Cover, on a run.
They disappeared behind the cedars, and
presently came Mr.. Glover, with tiny old
lady on his arm. Her eyes were as black
as those of Gyp, or as Pills own, and con-
trasted oddly, with her snowy hair They
were followed by Mrs. Montjoy, Antoinette
and a maid with cushions and shawls.
rs that the grandmother asked Phil
Yes" said Dean. Mrs. Montjoys grand
mother. She's French, but she has lived
| around here for forty years. I should say,
looking for son who ran away from home,
and was last heard Of in these parts. Looks
as If the search would soon be over, as far
aS she Is cOUcGtH6u.
Where's Mr.. Montjoy?' asked Phil,
changing the subject.
I'm the city. taking care of his law busi-
ness. But he's sensible man, and thinks
children. The family used to spend the
winters in the city till the old lady got so
feeble that Mrs. Montjoy now stays here
with her and the children
And Mr.. Glover is Covers tutor?
Yes: Mr.. Montjoy thinks he's fine. but
never heard Cover say he thought so,' and
Dean chuckled. well, time to get to work
again"
when Phil reached the cabin on the way to
his own home after his days work was
finished. Absaom was creeping along at
his own pleasure, and Moses mongrei dog
Fits, was walking under the wagon
"Git in an ride to de balm
Phil accepted the invitation. and he and
Nose drove down the steep, stony road TO
the ravne where the barns were situated
They embarrassed the animal, fed him, then
returned to the cabin. But before entering
it the old man walked to maple tree
standing before the door, From TINS ne
slowly stepped seven PAGES TO the north.
then seven PAGES to the east. This brought
him to the stump of beech tree Whicn mao
been shivered by lightning. Into 1t he
thrust his hand, only to draw it out with
cry of terror.
"A black snakes dun bit me- he yelled,
as the blood ran from the wound on the
back of his hand
There was an angry rustic of wings, and
a bluejay shrieked away to the woods,
where he sat scoiding at the intruder Of
his retreat
"Oh it was only bird!' exclaimed Phil.
$50 twas much relieved. Il thought ole
Moses dun gone dis time. Jes' put yo hand
In an git my key
Phil did as he was directed. ''Why do
you keep it there?'' he asked.
Luck. Seven PAGES one way, seven PAGES
t'other an nobody evan fin 1t but me.
Don't you think it was bad luck to get
your hand pecked?'
No: twas good luck. 'Twould "a been
bad if it had been snake, Std O. one O.
dem sassy jays. But say, Phil, don yo'
eyah tell nobody whar I keeps my key. l
hid it FUN yo' sames fun ev'ybody, but
can't help thinkin' all day, Dat boys hon
es, an he won't rob Nose"
We'll, guess mott" said Phil, indignant
Iy land I'd think myself as bad as the
thief to tell one where you kept your key"
chuckling.
thing was scrupulously neat, and Nose,
placed royal meal of fried chicken and
johnny cake before his guest.
After supper the two sat the porch,
the old man smoking his pipe and telling
wonderful tales of birds and beasts and
of his own bugbear-ghosts.
Although assuring himself over and over
that there were no such things as ghosts.
Phil had to whistle briskly to keep up cour-
age he trudged the half mile lying be-
tween the cabin and his home on the other
side of ha hills