News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1882-11-02

law. Religious as woman cOIltu Oo
until that day, she had at least cracked
a commandment.
The cabinet was square, and made OF
ebony. 1t had a central receptacle,
with a door which always remained
locked. The key had not been in it
when she carried 1t up stairs. There
were also several shelves and drawers,
and it was very handsome but when
Theresa had a room to put it in she
feared questions and when she had
none, naturally cabinet was useless.
This garrett was mere abiding place
for a day or two at time and for this
she had lost her clear conscience-for
this
At last, nine years after Miss Dilling-
hams death, the final blow came.
Poor Miss Curtis having nursed pa
tent through fever, succumbed to it,
and was taken to hospital.
There, in the delirium of fever, the
cabinet grew to be of immense import
ance. She talked of it, raved of it, &C
cused herself of theft, and finally
opened her heart to the old clergyman
who had been called to inquire into her
troubled conscience.
The delirium had passed, and she
was very feeble, but she managed to
tell her tale.
"You see," she said, 81 thought
dear Miss Dillingham; would have liked
me to have it, but after awhile / began
to feel that it was Mrs. Spear's-that /
was thief. It's worn on me. And
lately I've dreamt of Miss Dillingham;.
She comes and says Unlock the
cabinet Once she said only: What
a pity What pityl' I feel as if I'd
lost my soul. DR.. Good, won't you
help me to undo what I've done Won't
You have the cabinet brought here, and
ask Mrs. Spear to come over, and I'll
give it back"
"That may, perhaps, be the best
way, if it troubles you so, said the old
man-"if you think you did wrong"
And he hurried away to see that what
she had asked was done.
He brought her the cabinet, and he
summoned Miss DilIingham's heiress,
who arrived fatter and iollier than ever.
The old clergyman told the story ten
derby, and Mrs. Spear listened, wiping
her eyes.
"Why, Theresa Curtis, I'm sure you
were quite welcome" she said. 'I
missed the cabinet, but I supposed
Cousin Dillingham; had given it to you.
Keep it; keep it."
"No; take it." sobbed Miss Curtis.
81 know stole it, say what you may. !"
She pushed the cabinet feebly toward
the lady in her velvets and brocades,
and the latter took it.
''Why, now, how particular I" said
she. "I'll do it to please you. And
when you get well you must make me
visit. 1 declare I've got the key of that
cabinet on my key ring. Never knew
what it belonged to. There's something
in it. Let's see what it is"
She unlocked the door of the shining
little case, taking the key from hel
pocket to do so, and little letter case
fell out aud in it was letter. 1t was
addressed to Miss Theresa Curtis.
"Why, you've left letter here" said
Mrs. Spear, cheerfully. "Have you got
another key %
"A letter ?" cried poor Theresa, turn
ing frightfuIly pale. "Read it to me,
DR.. Good"
"DEAR THERESA" it began, 'I feel
strange presentiment that / shall die
soon. If should not leave will you'll
have nothing. On the other side of
this sheet have made it as well as I
knew how. All is left to you. I have
nobody else, and do not love Sally
Spear. If this queer feeling passes off
I'll send for n lawyer in the morning If
not, goodbye. You're dear soul, and
I'm glad to leave you comfortable.
sit is a perfect WILL" remarked the
clergyman, looking on the other side OF
the paper. Doubtless it would have
D00l buI1c16nG.
Mrs. Spear sank into chair. Theresa
Curtis tried to lift herself on her elbow.
give been rich all this weary time"
she said, ''and if I'd left the cabinet
alone the will would have been found
See what did. Take warning Take
warning T.
She sank back.
"Why, the money and everything Is
yours now," said Mrs. Spear, dolefully.
"I'm not one to go against the will of
the dead, Though why she disliked
me don't know. It's startling, but
I'll give up everything I-why-Theresa
Curtis, what is it p
Miss Curtis was pointing straight be-
fore her.
''Don't you zee her ?" she said.
''Don't you see her? She says, I've
come for you, Theresa always told
you what goose you were-Pve-yes,
I'm coming, dear. I'm coming"
She paused. An utter silence fol-
lowed, and the nurse stepped forward
softly and laid handkerchief across
L