The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1881-01-13
we had all retired to bed when great
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anXl0uSly inquired what was the mat
ter. 1t was some time before she could
speak coherently and explain to us that
she had been awakened from sound
sleep, and had plainly seen in the dim
light the form of a man just leaving
the room carrying with him her jewell
case. It was true.s Mrs. Wilmington
had been robbed, for the box which
contained the valuable dlamondswas
nowhere to be seen.
With paid face Violet sank upon a
chair.
Seeing her troubled expression, my
'kind-hearted friend forgot her own agi-
tation. 80 :
Now, Miss Christabel, never mind
it wasn't your fault Perhaps the man
has found the burglar by this time"
But her hopes were futile, for the
gardener, who was the only man at the
Hurst save old Mr. Christabel, soon
came in, saying he had been able to
find no trace Of the thief. Days passed,
and no clew to the robbery was ascer-
tanned, until one evening as we were
all seated in the parlor Violet's father
entered, Of course we all greeted him
cordially, as it was not often he joined
us; but not noticing us in the least, the
old man walked straight to his daugh-
ter. "Violet," he asked, isn't to-day
your birthday"
Yes, papa" she said, taking his fee
bic hand and looking lovingly into his
face.
"Then l have gift for you, fit for i
queen. See!' and from his pocket he
drew a sparkling cross and held it to-
ward her.
With an exclamation Mrs. Worthing-
ton started forward.
ooh, my diamond cross that was
stolen' ..-.-......--.
The old man heard her, and a rapid
change passed over his countenance.
AS if he had awakened from some
Dream he gazed at her, and then at
the cross in his hand. He tried to
speak, but failed, and sinking upon a
chair, a CHASTITY pallor rose to his very
brow.
Violet came to his side and tenderly
lifted his head. Poor child she had
need of all her strength to endure the
ordeal before her. With brave effort
she controlled herself, and turning spoke
to us, who had been wondering specta-
tors of the scene This is the substance
of what she said:
Ever since the loss Of his wealth, and
severe fever, which he had few
years before, her father had been atflict-
ed with strange brain trouble, called
kleptomania. At times he would take
things in the house, or from her room,
and after few days she could find
and replace t" EN- without his ever
knowing it; then perhaps again his
brain would suddenly clear and he
would rem ember what he had done,
and be stricken with terrible remorse
and shame.
When Mrs. Worthington had first
lost her jewels the poor girl had feared
that she knew only too we'll where they
had gone; but having never been able
to find any trace Of them, she deter
mined to her great relief, that it could
not have been her father who had taken
them.
When she had finished her story
there was not dry eye in the room.
All the boarders crowded around their
gentle young hostess with kindly SYM
pathetic words, while Mrs. Wilmington
was the foremost one.
1t must have been that Mr.. Christa-
bells half st aimed brain, thus sud
denly arouse to the consciousness of
what he hal done, had received a
death-shock; for that ght the old man
passed away, never having spoken &C
herently, nor given any recognition tC
those around him.
In her trial, the young girl whom |
had so grown to love seemed to turn
to me beyond all others for help; and
all that l could I did to comfort and
sustain her
Mr.. Dacre came to the Hurst for the
funeral. Several weeks passed. Mrs.
Wilmington and the other boarder had
fitted away from their summer moor
ings into the giddy whirl of the city,
life again; but | stayed with Violet. ]
was alone, and so was she, and she had
grown like a daughter to me.
Still had never spoken to her about
her engagement, although think she
knew how little liked Mr. Dacre. He
came very often now, and he seemed
anxious that their marriage should not
be long delayed.
"Violet,' I said, abruptly, one day
breaking through my customary reserve
upon the subject, "do you love Mr.
Dacre?'
A sudden wave of color crimsoned hel
truthful face.
why do you ask?' she replied
evasively, without lifting her eyes.
Because" I said, lmpulsively, "a
have thought for long time that yor
did not feel for him the affection wife
should have for her husband"
She laid her hand upon mine, anC
though l saw her eyes were full Of tears
her voice was steady.
"My dear friend, have promised tc
marry Mr.. Dacre. Please do not speak
so again-it pains me-
After that was obliged to hold my
peace.
One sunny afternoon, as we We're
seated under the shade Of the trees in
the Hurst garden, we saw woman
leading little boy by the hand, ap.
preaching the gate. Suddenly sound
VI painting p1ealu StuSII Jul dtlellllOll
and some distance behind the uncOn,
scious figures rapidly ran huge mas.
tiff which belonged to one of our neigh
bors.
The animals jaws were flecked with
foam, and as he cane blindlv forward
his head was lowered a d his mouth
was open. 4 horrible thought struck
us both at the same time. The dog
must be mad
Quick as lightning, Violet rushed to
the gate, and Selling the woman and
her child, dragged them forcibly within.
When we had safely reached the
friendly shelter of the house, the wo-
man turned to Violet and thanked her
for her timely interference. She was
rather young, and thought if she had
been more neatly dressed she would
have been pretty.
After she had rested and partaken OF
some refreshment which Violet
brought, she rose to go.
Can you tell me- she said, "where