Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-01-17
GaIes ano Sketfbes.
CABINET SECRET.
A STORY


am joking, but I ass ure you I am not.
that, were it denied me, my dreams might
some day almost come true.
"After the interval of a few days
thought might venture to call upon Miss
Crofton once more. She received me kind.
", told me she was fiatteIed by nay pay
ing her another visit so soon. and allowed
me to handle the china again. must have
been dull company, too. for although re-
piled mechanically to her chit-cha,, my
ewes were ever turning to those four cups
and saucers, c.eam jug and two dishes.
Miss Crofton sould see the bent Of my
thoughts. for she said
".Its no use. Mr.. Headley, will not
sell them, and love them too much to
give away
.'As she spoke thought struck me.
would take her to see the teapot, sugar
basin, and the other cups and sancers.
mourning as it we've To- their long lost
brethren. So / concealed my vexation,
and. making an effort 10 smile. said:
al am only admiring. Mss Crofton.
But should be so pleased il you would
fono. me by calling and looking at my
collection. II so, will send the carriage
for you to Inorrow.'
"She accepted my invitation. and the
next day came to my house. took care
to have a choice little repast prepared, Of
such things as middle-agod spinsters love.
and after we had discussed it led her 10
the room which held my treasu es- All
the cabinets save one were open to her
view, but that one had covered with a
dark cloth. After she had seen the con-
tents Of the Others led her before this
one. and in a theatrical manner. with "a
beating heart. lifted the veil and revealed
my teapot, sugar basin, cups and saucers,
looking beautiful, sorrowtul, with the
vacant spaces around them. ! said moth
ing, thinking this mute appeal to her bet
ter feeling would do more than any words
OF mine She saw the plot at glance.
and laughed long and loud, saying,as her
merriment subsidized:
$50 Mr. Ileadley this is the manner OF
your hospitality; you expect me to pay
for my dinner with the china?'
Il protested it was only little hint to
show her how very anxious | was to pos
sess the remainder of the set, aud then
told her, seriously, how necessary it was
to nv happiness and peace Of mind to see
those void spaces filled.
mo appeal of mine would soften her,
and the four cups and saucers, the cream
Jug, and the two dishes seemed as far
away as ever. At last she said decisively 4:
''As you are so bent upon it, | will
bequeath the china to You
land ! may have TO wait twerry years
for it, | said sulkily. forgetting in my
modification, not only politeness, but the
affection | had expressed for my new
found relative.
"a good deal longer, hope she re-
piled. But rs you are so anxious. why
not pack up what you have and let me
take it back with me? You can see it in
my cabinet whenever YOU like; and dare
say its being there will give me the pleas
ure OF your company more often
'But this plan did not suit me at all
and finding that my device had failed ut
terly. was obliged to conduct my visitor
to her home in a frame of mind not the
sweetest.
"A week went by but. try how | would,
| could not get that cursed china out of
my head. or resign myself to the disap-
pointment. found myself growing worse
instead of better. and as I fancied my
health was beginning to suffer, | deter
mined to run down to Brighton in The hope
of dist. action. The weather was fine: |
met several friends there and after day
or two began to think that in time might
conquer the absurd craving for what could
not be mine. But even rs | was congrat-
ulating myself on the partial discovery of
my senses, dreamed a dream So horrible
that fell back into my former unhealthy
state of mind. dreamed that Miss Croft
tons MAZDA red checked. rough fingered
lass--had broken two of the cups. saw
her do it and suffered agonies from the
sight also to make matters worse she
put the precious fragments (Which might
have been cemented) in her dust-pan.
with the intention of throwing them away
l really think the greatest feeling of pleas
ure had known for many days was to
awake and lind it was only n dream.
81 hurried back TO town the same dav.
/ felt could endure the uncertainty. the
anxiety, no longer; and that To obtain nv
desire any sacrifice could make must be
msde; so-don't laugh too much-I was
resolved upon my return to ask Miss Croft
ton to beco ne Mrs. lleadley; and then on
the day of our marriage the severed set
would be reunited. True. she must be
somewhere about fifty. while / was just
thirty; but what had seen of her be-
lieved she was very worthy woman !;
and. anyway. the china would be mine.
"You will scarcely credit it. but | car
rieG ort my resolution. Two DAYS later
was at the fair spinster's side beseeching
her to be my wife. could not bring my
self to profess sudden passion for her,
but told her was ed o. living alone.
and asked her to share my Let. | said |
was well-to-do in the world. and promised
To try ard m Ike her future lite happy
one; and as. while speaking, my eyes
rested ou the four cups and saucers, the
cream jug. and the two dishes, no doubt
pleaded with show of fervor. which
must have considerably puzzled the good
lady. Like sensible woman she en-
pressed the grea est as enlistment.
"'I.et me understand YOU clearly she
said. DO you mean to say you are in
love with me?'
ri will make You good husband !
replied, thinking as spoke how besuti-
fully modelled the handle of the cream
jug was; and am sure You will never
regret accepting my offer
but do yon really love me p she
persisted. 'an old woman as amp
".Seven;een hundred and sixty | said
mentally; that must be about the date il
WAS made : and then answered, looking
-