The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-01-15

/ nallv. sheriff appeared on the scene,
and the poor lady fled before him with
her trunks, and so from year to year i'll
luck pursued her, until, in TIE end, it
occurred Go her 10 'tgo out nursing"
Having kind heart and a light step.
she managed To live at this. 1t was
hard life. but she kept il up for years;
aud all thiswhile the cabinet still re-
maiaed where she had put it, in the bot
toin of her black trunk.
It was the yellow one that she carried
about with hel; the black one was
stored in the garret-room in which she
slept when not engaged. Sometimes
she looked at it, and always " it'll shame
and contriiion. Scrupulonsly moral all
her life before. she mad at last broken
moral law Religious Us a woman could
be until that day, she had atleast crack
ed commandment
The cabinet was square and made of
ebony. 1t had central receptacle,
with a door which remained always
locked The key had not been in it
when she carried it upstairs. 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; aud when she had
none, naturally cabinet was useless.
This ralret was mere abiding-p place
for day or two at time; and for this
she had lost her clear conscience-fol
thisi
At last, nine years after Miss Dilling-
HAMS death, the final blow came. Poor
Miss Curtis having nursed a patient
happily through fever, succumbed to
it, and was taken to a hospital.
There in the delirium of fever, the
h 70 no sAf1
ance.
She talked of it, raved of it, accused
herself of theft, and finally opened her
heart to the old clergyman who had been
called to inquire into her troubled con-
science.
The delirum had passed and she was
very feeble, but she managed to tell her
tale
'.You see.'' she said. Il thought dear
Miss Dillingham; would have liked me
% have IT, but after while | began to
feel that it was Mrs. Spear Shat / was
a thief. It's worn on me, and lately
I've dreamt of Miss Dillingham;. She
comes and says: WHY did you do it,
Theresap' She comes and says: Unlock
the cabinet Once she said only: What
pityr What pityr 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 Dilfngham's heiress,
who arrived fatter and iollier than ev-
er.
The old clergyman told the story tend
erly, and Mrs. Spear listened, wiping
her eyes.
why. Theresa Curtis, Tn sure you
were quite welcome she said. Il
missed the cabinet, but supposed Cous-
in Dillingham; had given it to you. Keep
it; keep it.
mo; take it, sobbed Miss Curtis Il
know l 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 said
she. y II do it to please YOU. And
when you get well you must make me
visit. / declare I've got the key of that
cabinet on my key-rings Never. knew
what it belonged to. There Something |
in it. Let's see what il Is
She unlocked the door of the shining |
little case. taking the key from her peck
et to do SO, and little letter case fell
out, and it was a letter. 1t was address
ed to Miss Theresa Curtis.
why, you've left letter here, said
Mrs. Spear cheerfully. Have you got
another keyP'
"A lctterP'' cried poor Theresa, turn
ng frightfully pale. Read it to me,
DR.. Good"
The clergyman opened the letter.
DEAR THERESA" it b gan, Il feel q
tranrc presentiment that I shah die soon. If |
should not leave will you have nothing.
On the other side of this sheet / have made it |
Is well as knew how. All is left TO you. |
spear. II this queer feeling passes off I'll send
or lawyer in the morning. If not, goodbye. |
GU re dear soul, and l IN glad to leave you
1T is perfect wil,' remarked the
clergyman, looking on the other side OF
he paper doubtless it would nave
,een sufficient
Mrs. Spear sank into a chair. There
n Curtis tried to lift herself on her ell
low.
1--WE been rich all this weary time"
he said, land if I'd left the cabinet
lone tie will would have been found
zee what | did. Take warningr' Take
farningr'
She sank back
why, the money and everything is
ours now" said Mrs. Spear dolefulfy.
L m not one 30 go against the will of
be dead. Though why she disliked
cfn .fls |