Chapter VI.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 182, 3 August 1871, Page 7

Chapter VI.

She said " Yes ; " — Mr. Mop pin said " Yes ; "—Mrs. Moppin said " Yes ; " and I revelled in happiness. Would I speak to Jane for a moment? she asked. I would have spoken to a thousand Janes, had she wished it. Jane and I were alone.

She cleared her throat, and seemed to hesitate. " Before you ai*e definitely engaged to Emily," at length she said, " there is one thing about her you ought to know."

" She has been in love before ? " I asked, anxiously. " Never mmd — I can bear it." " No— never." " She is extravagant ? " " No, not particularly." " She But what is it? " " Well, she has a peculiarity — a very disagreeable one." My heart sank : " She smokes ? " " Oh, no." "She drinks?" and my blood curdled. "No- -no." " She— she— gambles ? " " No ; but she sometimes (and it is only now and then) has a strange wish — a monomania, I may say — for possessing the goods of other people. She "

Good God ! I saw it all. De Vere's umbrellas ! She was — oh Heaven ! I shrink from writing the dreadful word —she was a KLEPTOMANIAC. I fled!

I may come back to England some day ; my native land, may, perhaps, again welcome its wandering son. But my soul is a void ; my heart is broken ; aud my tailor's bill is not yet paid. The following advertisement has appeared several times in the renowned •'agony column " of the " Times " :—: —

" Oggy ! write to your SMY ! Let not two paltry umbrellas stand between us. An apology is offered. Address, SMY, Postofßce, Boulogne-sur-Mer."