Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1879-03-12

important secret, out of which he
could make money, he retureed to the
vault. The light was still burning and
signalling the men in waiting, they
were soon on the spot but on entering
the vault they discovered to their utter
amazement, that the coffin was empty.
The body-snatcher kept his secret, and
the mysterious disappearance of the
body was a matter of unmixed sur
prise. Extinguishing the lamp, the
men quilted the churchyard, the body
snatcher returning to his quarters ut a
small inn and the assistants going back
to Belfast in a carriage.
The next morning the news of Mrs,
Bells restoration to life was abroad in
town. The body-snatcher fingered III
the neighborhood until he ascertained
/ that the clergyman had quilted home
for friends house. Then he called at
the parsonage and asked for the lady of
the house. 1t was with some difficulty
! that he obtained an Interview rs the
! domestic informed him that the lady
was indisposed and confined to her
room. MY business" he said, "is of
very great Importance, and it is abso-
lutely necessary that | should see her.
After the lapse of half an hour middle
aged, handsome stately lady entered
the pallor, and gazing with considerable
dignity at her visitor said
What is your business with me,
STRIP
Let me shut the door, ma'am," he
said, and quickly stepping behind the
lady, closed the door. Il think we
have met before, maam,' he said in a
firm but respectful tone.
''Sir !" the lady exclaimed, in offend
ing accents.
Il am sure we have met before,
ma am" the man said.
You are mistaken, sir" the lady re-
piled, "utterly mistaken, sir you will
oblige me by quitting the house imme-
diately."
"You forgot last night. ma am, in the
vault, the man said in low tone.
The cheek of the lady evidently
blanched, and she gave gasp for
breath. Instantly recovering herself,
she said
81 don't understand you, sir. You
are laborlng under mistake"
Well, | may be" the gentleman re.
piled, that's a fact; but my impression
is that / saw you last night IN the vault
when you were trying to remove the
ring from the finger of what you sup
posed to be corpse"
The lady had sunk into chair, and
was deadly pale. By powerful effort
she overcame her momentary weakness,
and said in strong tones: 81 don't know,
sir, what You speak Of You are either
laboring under mistake or you are a
lunatic:"
Do you happen to have dress like
this, ma'am, the man asked, drawing
from his pocket the piece which he had
cut from the dress of the occupant of
the vault the night before.
The lady's lips grew white and dry.
She tried to speak, but her tongue
cleaved to her mouth, and utterance
was impossible.
" am reasonable, madam, :" the man
said. know your secret, but Will
keep it if you will make it worth my
while"
How much doyou require" the lady
asked, acquiring the power of speech
by great effort.
Twenty pounds down will satisfy
me for the present. the man said "and
more at another time, when eed it,"
The money was paid, and within
month the man returned and demand
ed more. The lady evidently revealed
the story of her disgrace and crime to
her husband, for he paid the money,
and soon after resigned his living and
retired to England.