The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-11-14

| was gcJJlng Wcll known as Duyer-W mar
ton, the dealer, called upon me to show me
few things he had picked up in the coun-
try. | drew his attention to my Chelsea;
he examined it closely and said Very
strange; saw the rest of that service a
few days ago | asked him where, and he
told me it belonged to lady living at
Shepherds Bush. Was it for sale? Ger
tainly not, or he would not have told me
about it until he had secured it. He had
offered to give her large sum for it, but
nothing would induce her to part with it.
1t was, like mine, family relic, and as the
owner was in no want of money, there did
not seem to be any chance of persuading
her to surrender it. Her name, he in
formed me, was Miss Crofton; her residence,
142 College Road, Shepherds Bush.
'Now, Burke, you will, know, sympa-
thize with me when say that, having dis
covered that the rest of that exquisite set
was in existence, l felt that life was most
intolerable without it, and that at any sac
rifce it must be mine. On that point my
mind was at once made up.
"The first thing was to see the china,
and satisfy myself that Wharton had made
no mistake; so the next day 1 called upon
Miss Grofton. / found her a pleasant,
polite lady of about fifty, and she presented
the appearance of spinster whose circum-
stances were very comfortable. 1t has al
ways seemed to me that anything to do
with china makes the whole world kin, and
when [ explained the object of my call,
Miss Crofton refused to listen to any apol-
ogy, but at once led me to the cabinet
holding the-treasure My informant had
told the simple truth | had the teapot,
two cups and saucers, and the sugar basin;
while Miss Crofton was the fortunate owner
of the cream jug, four cups and saucers,
and the two dishes. And ID, with dazzled
eyes, [ gazed on her portion of the exqui-
site service, felt as though sacred duty
had devolved upon me to reunite the long
separated ceramic family; and I knew I
should find little happiness until all the
beautiful members of it reposed safely in
my possession.
"Miss Croft0n and l 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 families must
have been closely allied. When we had
established this fact to our satisfaction, [
ventured to hint, as delicately as | could,
my wish to possess the china; then, as she
took no notice of my hints, was compelled
at last to ask her, point blank, if she would
sell it to me, fixing any price in reason she
chose to. found as Wharton predicted,
that the good lady was obdurate, and there
[ sat for an hour with the coveted articles
almost within grasp, yet as far off as the
gates of heaven.
II did not, of course, despair entirely
4 must maneuvre, l thought. L will
have it in time, by fair means or foul. l
will make myself very agreeable to her, |
will show her attentions. Some day | may
be able to render her a service, and her
heart may open with gratitude, and shall
compass my desire To-day I could do
no more so [ babe my new found relative,
as l cunningly called her an affectionate
goodbye, asking permission to call on her
again.
az 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
"I went home feeling very mournful and
for the rest of that day the four cups and
saucers, the cream-jug, and the two dishes
were dancing before my eyes. l sat down
for an hour or more with my own portion
before me- How meagre it looked now
1 took the pieces out and rearranged the
cabinet, leaving blank spaces for those
coveted. l pictured the lonely appearance
the set would present when the whole of
it was in my bands.
ssI went to rest quite sorrowful, and the
cabinet, which only the morning before
seemed so we'll filled, was now empty, or
nearly empty, in my eyes. 1t is small
thing to say that believe dreamed Of
Miss Crofton and her china the whole
night. My honesty vanished as my eyes
closed. 1 stole that china at least dozen
times. | secreted it in the most extraordi-
nary places. [ buried it for safety and to
avoid detection, but the four cups seemed
endowed with life, and as fast as [ covered
them up with earth would pop up in un-
expected places. committed other crimes
for the sake of that china [ deliberately
murdered the unfortunate spinister, 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 ven;
ture to run, lest I should break those fra
gile things for which had endangered my
soul, It seemed to me infinitely 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. | coulc
not bear to look at my cabinet. Something
was wanting there, and until the void
had created was properly filed l felt
could find no pleasure in my former pur
suits.
ssYou, although a collector, may think
[ am joking, but [ assure you L am not
| hungered, / craved for that china, anC
felt that, were it denied me, my dreams
might some day almost come true.
@After the interval of few days,
thought | might venture to call upon Mis-
Crofton once more. She received MI
kindly, told me she was fattered by my
paving her another visit so soon, and allowed
me to handle the china again. [ mus
have been dull company too, for although
[ replied mechanically to her chit-chat
nv eyes were ever turning to those fou
cups and saucers, cream-jug, and two dishes
Miss Crofton could see the bent of m,
thoughts, for she said
q It's no use, Mr.. Headley. l will no
sell them, and I love them too much to Civ
them away.
GAS she spoke thought struck me.
would take her to see the teapot, sugar
basin, and the other cups and saucers
mourning, as it we're, for their long-los
brethren. SO l concealed nv veyation ant
making an effort to smile, said
az am only admirIng, Miss Crofton
But should be so pleased if you woul'
honor me by calling and looking at m.
little collection. Ifso, | will send the car
riage for you tomorrow.
"She accepted my invitation, and tn
next day came to my house. [ took car
to have choice little repast prepared, O