The Legend of the Amethyst Ring Part 3

We found out that Sarah’s mother was visiting a sick friend in a different town. When we were riding back to Aunt Ivy’s, it started to rain. Sarah and I got into the cabin, and started to dry off by the fire. Aunt Ivy came into the door, soaking wet. She almost ran right into mother, who was struggling to move her trunk.

“Girls,” mother started, “Aunt Ivy is going to take me to the train station. There won’t be enough room for you to come, because of my trunk-”

“So that means I’ll need you two to do a few farm chores.” Aunt Ivy stepped in. She handed us old faded dresses, “You can put these on so you don’t ruin your nice dresses. I need you to collect the chicken eggs, and make sure the barn door is closed and latched.”

“Ok, but what do we do when we are done?” Sarah asked.

“You can start shelling peas and maybe sweep.” Aunt Ivy said hurriedly as she was going out the door.

“Ok, well you heard her. Lets go change.” Sarah said.

“I can go check the barn door.” I said.

“Ok, I can get the eggs then.” Sarah answered.

We both got done with our chores by the time Aunt Ivy got back. When we finished supper, Aunt Ivy got a candle out.

“Since you girls are going to live here for two months, you might as well here the legend.” Aunt Ivy said, sitting down.

“Legend?” Sarah asked excitedly.

“Yup, the legend is pretty good,” Aunt Ivy said as she lit the candle. “You guys saw the stone house at the edge of town?”

“Yes.” I said.

“Well, many people believe its haunted.” Aunt Ivy said as she got up and blew out the oil lamps.

“Haunted?” Sarah asked.

“That house belongs to old Mr. Cardigan. He was the richest man in this whole area. Maybe even in the whole state. Anywho, he had that big stone house built. He had one daughter, and oh was she spoiled. Farm kids hated her as much as stepping in prickly pear cactus.”

“What was her name?” I asked.

“She was called Vanessa. Now Vanessa was turning thirteen. For her birthday present, her father bought her an amethyst ring. Vanessa hated it and said she only wanted diamonds. Mr. Cardigan was mad, because he had the ring custom made for her. He immedatly had a tower built on top of his house. He made sure there was only one window, and no doors. Then he put Vanessa in the tower.”

“Wow, Mr. Cardigan must have been pretty mad.” Sarah said.

“Yes he was.” Aunt Ivy said. “Vanessa was so mad that she threw the ring out  the window of the tower. It hit a little girl playing. That night, the little girl died. Vanessa tried to escape, but fell to her death. Mr. Cardigan buried her with all of his riches and gold, now living in the stone house alone.”

“We should try to find where the gold is buried.” I said.

“That would work, but only Mr. Cardigan knows where she is buried.” Aunt Ivy said.

“We could ask him!” Sarah exclaimed.

“Mr. Cardigan died mysteriously 2 weeks after Vanessa died. Some say she poisoned him. He died a slow and painful death. In the time of two weeks, the richest man and the most spoiled girl of the town had died.”

“What happened to the house?” Sarah asked.

“It was mysteriously locked, so no one would go in. I think Mr. Cardigan haunts the house, looking for Vanessa.”

“Wow!” Sarah breathed.

“Now you girls should go to bed.” Aunt Ivy said, getting up.

“Ok.” I said.

Come back on Friday to read the conclusion.