The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-01-06

hard life, but she kept 1t up for 5 years;
and all this while the cabinet still re-
NAMED where she had put it, in the bot
tom of her black trunk.
1t was the yellow ono that she carried
about with her; the black one was
stored in tho garret-room in which she
slept when not engaged. Sometimes
she looked at it, and always with shame
and contrition. Scrupulously moral all
her life before, she had ut last broken .
moral law Religious as n woman could
be until that day, she had at least crack
ed n commandment.
The cabinet was square and made OF
ebony. 1t had central receptacle,
with 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 q room to put 1t in, she
feared questions; aud when she had
none, naturally cabinet was useless.
! This garnet was mere abidlng-place
for a dav or two Mt time; and for this
| she had lost her clear construction
! this!
At last, nine years after Miss Dilling-
HAMS death, the final blow came. Poor
Miss Curtis having nursed patient
happily through a fever, succumbed to
it, and was taken to a hospital.
There in the delirium of fever, tho
cabinet grew to be of immense import
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 delirium had passed and che was
very feeble, but she managed to tell her
tale.
you sec." she said 81 thought dear
Miss Dillingham; would have liked me
to have it, but after while | began to
feel that it was Mrs. Spear's-tbat was
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
Il ptyr What pityr | feel rs if I'd
lost my soul DR.. Good won't You help
me to undo what I've done2 Won you
have the cabinet brought here and ask
Mira. Spear TO come over, and III give
it back"
That may perhaps be the best way. !
if it troubles You So" said the old man,
'lf YOU think yon did wrong"
And he hurried away to see that what
she had asked WIS done.
He brought her the cabinet, and he
summoned Miss Diliugham's heress,
who arrived lattcr and jollier than ev-
err
The oil clergyman told the story tend
erly, and Mrs. Spear listened, wiping
her eyes.
"Why, Theresa Curtis, I'm sure you
were quite We come" she said. IL
missed the cabinet, but lsuppoScd Cous-
in Dillingham; mad given it to you. Keep
it; keep il.
mo; taxi IT," sobbcd Miss Curtis. II
know | sto it, say what you may"
She pushed the cabinet iee6iy toward
the lady in her velvets aud brocades.
and the la ;er took it,
why, now. how particularly said
she. IN do it TO please yop. And
when you get we'll YOU must make me n
visit. / declare rye 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 her peck
ct TO do so, and q little letter case fell
out, and it was q 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 letter." cried poor Theresa, turn
ing frightfully pale Read it to me,
DR.. Good"
The clergyman opened the letter.
DEAR THERESA 1t began, II feel a
strange presentiment that shall die soon. II
On the other side OF this sheet have made it
IA we'll rs knew how. All Ia left TO you.
have nobody else, and do not love Sally
Spear. III this queer feeling passes of I'll send
You're dear soul, and I'm glad to leave you
comfort able
1T is perfect will" remarked the
looking on the other side OF
the paper. "Doubtless it would have
been sufficient
Mrs. Spear sank into a chair. There
81 Curtis tried TO lift herself on her ell
bow.
ave 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 waruingm Take
She sank back
"Why. the money and everything is
yours now" said Mrs, Spear dolefully.
''rm 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 why, Their
esq Curtis, what il i'?'
Miss Curtis wa, pointing straight be-
fore her.
Don't YOU see herp" she said. -
Don't you hear her? She says: I've
come for you, Theresa always told
you what y goose you were rve-yes,
| IN coming, dear. I'm coming"
She paused. An utter silence follow.
ed, and the nurse stepped forward soft
y and laid handkerchief across her
lace.