Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1908-12-26
THE RUBY CIRDLE


desk" So read Lawyer Hale.
Colonel Dare had been dead just
year when, according to directions,
the lawyer had requested the imme-
diate relatives to assemble at Rains
forth Hall for the opening Of the colo
neYs will.
After requests t A. Il the near rela-
lives and the old S w ants the hall and
the entire estate, with the exception of
the above clause. were left to his son
Don.
There was 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
favorite child.
Lawyer Hale could throw no light
on the matter except that the colonel
had said, Marjorie will be rich
enough, for I shall leave her the ma
harajah's girdle."
AS soon as Marjorie had recovered
from her surprise she begged the law
yer to look for the gird1e
He was sitting beside the old desk,
and, opening it, he searched thorough
" in every part, but nothing was to
be seen Of the jewels.
Marjorie turned to her brother and
said, well, Don, you have penni
less sister on your hands"
Putting his arm around her, Don
said, ''My father knew that you would
always be my first thought, dear, and
I shall take care to merit his conf
dence." Then In whisper for her ear
alone he said mischievously, 81 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 ten years older
than Marjorie and had always thought
Of her as little girl
When our war with Spain opened
he joined the rough riders. On his
return home he found the coionel's
daughter almost stranger to him.
In that short time she had bios
somed into very charming young
maiden and sedate. 1t fascinated the
young soldier to see the beautiful
gray eyes droop before his ardent
gaze, and in few short weeks he
was madly in love with his old play
Nqtn Tho Of +ryun
to run smoothly in his case, and they
were engaged.
The year Of mourning for the colo
mel having passed. they were to be
married shortly, and one evening soon
after the reading 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 fur
nished for his bride, and Marjorie
said wistfully: 81 wish, Eric, that
were not a portionless girl Even a
ruby belt would have been something.
What do you suppose has become Of
it?"
81 do not know. my darling, aud
care less, only that 1t would please
you to have it. Did your father never
mention it in his letters to you from
India p
mo, l am sure he did not, but ( |
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 let
ters Eric could not resist kissing the |
beautiful face so close to his again |
and again. Then together they read |
the letters carefully, but found no |
mention Of the girdle Of the mahara- |
jah
Marjorie Eeread portion Of the last |
one. 1t ran thus: MY Dear Ones-I |
shall always cherish this old desk for !
the, memories Of the loving words Il |
have written to you on It."
With bound Marjorie sprang to |
her feet, scattering letters and case on
the floor. 'Oh, Eric! You do not sup
pose papa meant this old desk? He |
bad 1t with him in India"
Il cannot say. my dear. but we can
soon tell,' said Eric almost as much
excited as Marjorie. AS Eric liftee the
cover he said breathlessly: 81 believe
you are right. This cover is too heavy
for an ordinary desk"
Taking his penknife, he gently pried
the cover apart. and there, on lining
IF white velvet, lay a superb belt Of
rubies. Marjorie gave cry Of delight
as she gazed at the lovely thing and
hen let Eric clasp 1t around her
waist. On the quaint gold clasp was
For my little Marjorie on
her wedding day"
Tears filed Marjorie's eyes as she +
thought Of the loving father who could
rot give her his blessing on that day.
put Eric, drawing her gently to his
arms. said. My sweetheart. | will be
both father and husband to you.'
Marjorie was comforted and as they
started to find Don and tell him the
1000 news Eric said. You cannot call