Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-01-16

apology. but at once led to the cabinet
holding the treasure. NV informant had
told the simple truth. had the teapot.
two cups and saucers. and the suga'-basin.
while Miss Crofton was the fortunate own
er of the cream-jug. four cups and saucers
and the two dishes. And as. with dazzled
eyes, I gazed on her portion OF that eX-
quisite service. / felt as though a sacred
duty had devolyed upon me to reunite the
long-separated ceamic family, and knew
should find little happiness until All the
beautiful members Of il reposed safely IN
nv possession.
..Miss Crofton and soon became good
friends. especially when upon comparing
notes and tracing back the pedigree OF the
Chelsea, We decided that at some time my
mothers and her fathers family must
have been closely allied. When We had
established this fact to our satisfaction, l
ventured to hint as delicately as could. my
wish to possess the china then, as she took
no notice of my birts, | was compelled at
last to ask her. point -blank, If she would
sell il to me, fixing any price in reason
she chose to. Il fornd. as Wharton pre-
dic,ed. that the good lady was obduraie,
and there sat for an hour, with the coveted
dEtItlt- diluost " r-i''Ps 80 g. A-~' va
as the gates Of heaven.
II did not, of course, despair entirely,
Il must maneuvre' thought. 4 will
have it in time, By fair means or foul. |
will make myself very agreeable to her {;
will show her attentions. Some day |
NAV be able to render her a service, and
her heart may open with gratitude. and
shall compass my desire To-day could
4 L Il -s.l,.
live, as cunningly called her. an affec-
tionate goodbye, asking permission 10
call on her again.
..'l shall be glad TO see you at any time,
Mr.. Headley,' she said. but we shall never
have any china dealings together. so YOU
are fairly warned.
81 went home feeling very mournful.
and for the rest of that day the four cups
and saucers, the crean-iug, and the two
dishes were dancing abou. before my eyes.
| sat down for an hour or more with my
own portion before me. How meagre il
looked now took the pieces out and
rearringed the cabinet, leaving blank
spaces for those coveted. / pictured the
lovely appearance the set would present
when the whole Of it was in my hands.
Il went to rest quite sorrowtul. and the
cabinet, which only the morning before
seemed so well filled, was now empty. or
nearly empty, in my eyes. 1t is small
thing to say that believe dreamt of Mss
Croiton and her china the whole night.
My honesty vanished as my eyes closed.
stole that china at least dozen times.
secreted it in the most extraordinary
places buried it for safety and to avoid
detection. but the four cups seemed en-
dowed with life. and as fast as | covered
them up with earth would pop up in I'M
expected places. committed other crimes
for the sake of that china. deliberately
murdered the unfortunate spinster. and
packed the articles which had urged me
TO crime most carefully in "A bag. Then
the hue and cry was raised. and | knew
that men were pursuing me. but dare
not venture to run least | should break
those fragile things for which | had en-
dangered my soul. 1t seemed to me in
finitelv preferable to swing on the gallows
than to find one of those exquisite cups in
atoms. Even when the morning came
and found that the events of the night
were only dreams my state was not very
much happier. could not bear to look
at my cabinet. Something was wanting
there. and until the void had created was
properly flied felt could find no pleas
ure in my former pursuits.
fftaptinuad tn