The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-04-08
BIDDEFoRD, Me-, FRIDAY

least for the prescnt-and perhaps forever
who knows? thought II all out last night
when you were fast asleep, you lazy thing
I shallelopc in Minnics place.
Helen ChapmanH
Annie Grahamr
You'll never astonish me again, rs long
rs you live. by anything you may say or do
Well, Let us hear how this pretty little ma
nGuvre is to be accomplished
But first-may count upon your rs
sistance?'
Did over in my lifo refuse 1t wher
You asked 1t, adventurous girl?
Very good; here then' is tho pro-
A long and mysterious conversation fol.
lowed, and the climbing roses that en-,
wreathed the little summer-house, peeped
i'm ut the young conspirators, and stirrcd
by the juno brcezcs. seemed TO whisper q
each other and their bright faces in apwov.
nj. AS the clock struck nine that evening,
warm, soft rain WAS falling, and the
night air was heavy and oderous. The
two fricndssat in tho parlor gayly chatting
together. while Minnie. silent and i'll ut
ease. restlessly watched the hands of the
clock in their slow march, and started nj
every sound. Aftcr short time, Helen
turned, affecting yawn, and asked her
sister to step into the dining-room, and
bring some leo water. The instant she
disappeared Helen ran TO the clock and
SGT 1t back ten minutes,
so FAR SO good said Annie, but don't
you begin to be afraid, Us the time ap-
proachesP
Afraid of that little bit Of pink and
white candyn
But IL we fail" said Annie, unconscious
ly quoting Macbeth.
.'We failr' exclaimed Helen, striking
an attitude. .'Still, Pm free to confess
that begin TO experience rather fattcry
sensation in the region of the heart. Hush
here she comes. Thank you. Minnie dear
this is quite refreshing. lIcigh-ho! What
does make me so sleepy tonight? It's on
ly little after nine. Well, nevertheless,
IL yo.ll excuse me. Annie, believe Ill
say goodnight. Minnie shall entertain
you by playing that pretty overture to lie
Premier Jour de Bonheur.' And Helen
tripped up stairs, humming gayly, while
her sister. glancing once more Mt the clock,
shrugged her plump shoulders inpatient
ly, and seated herself at the piano.
Helens song died away rs she reached
her room. and hastily letting her long hair
fall down about her shoulders, in imitation
of her sister, she threw veil over her
face. wrapped. herself in a waterproof
cloak. and softly stole down the back stairs
and out into the rain and darkness.
IL NAV be safely affirmed that Minnie
Chapman had never before played the
overture To lie Premier Jour de BOnhcur'
so wrctchedly rs upon this particular oc-
easion. AS She rose from the piano, the
clock pointed to twenty-five minutes past
nine. Hurricdly murmuring something
about having left her crochet in the library.
she was about to leave the. room, when n
sudden cry of pain, from Annie, arrested
hsr. What is tho niattcrp she inquired.
looking hack. .s-r- --.-F r--'f-'-
oh, my eye" moancl Annie, with an
expression Of extreme anguish. oh dear,
what shall do?'
'IIavc you got something In your eye?'
asked Minnie, irresolute whether togo ON
or linger moment to help her friend.
Yes; oh. what can It be? DO try and
get il out for me. Ohr and Annie screw
cd up one azure cen very tightly, and
glared wildly about with the other, rock
ing herself to and fro with frequent
groans. This was too much for Minnie's
tender little heart. and in an instant she
was searching eagerly for the cause of
SO much suffering.
why, | can't see anything mt all!
cried she after moments careful exam
inatiOn. How very strange!
1t ,cds exceedingly strange!
Cant you" groancd Annie.
'Oh!-Tll turn the gas little higher.
There! I've turned it out"
'Pshaw! were are the matches" asked
Minnie, cropping impatiently about in the
darkness.
'rhcy wCre on the table, replied her
companion, dcltly removing the safe to
the mantle-piecc.'
But they're not hero now. oh dear,
and haven't time to- mean-where
can they he? There! I've tipped over
that vase of flowers, and the watcr1l be
all over everything. How provoking
I'll wipe 1t up with my handkerchief.
Mop, mop, mop. DO look for those
matches, Annie
lam: What the great hurry, I'll like
To know?
'Nevcr mind; I'll run into the library
and get SEINE; the gas is liz there
NO, here they aro now! Two found
them at last-on the corner Of the man.
tel. Take Onc.'
So saying Annie handed the unsuspcct-
inc little maiden u match of which she
hal previously moistencd the lighting end
i'm her mouth.
Scratch, scratch. scratch! why. II
won't light Scratch, scratch, scratch)
1t must bc bad one
Heres another said Annie repeating
her performance. oh, my poor cye!'
and she shook convulsivcly-with pain,
perhaps.
Renewed scratching. rs Intellectual u,
before. Minnie's patience was entirely
exhausted.
Il tell'll you what, Annie, you Just run
up stairs and get Helen to examine your
eve, for I remember having LEFT book
out in the summer-house this morning,
and this pouring rain will completely
ruin it,
With these words poor Minnie fairly
bolted from the room. overturning a
chair or two in her progress, and an in
slant alter was heard rushing down the
garden steps.
Annie lighted the gas, and demurely set
the clock forward again. Twenty min
utes of. ten. Thai will do very WE'LL sail
she.
Although Helen had antici-
pated the appointed time, by few min
utes. she was received into n warm EN-
brace ON entering the snmmcr-housc, and
athin piping voice exclaimed, rapturous-
ly, Sweet angel! I knew thou wouldst
not fail me! Yet thou knowcst not with
what impaticnce my heart was beating.
All. I cannot believe my happiness!
Speak to me, dearest-tell me once
moro
Haste. oh haste away. dear Herbert.
lest we be discovcrcdr interrupted the
,,,n,>,.cA Mipnis In an a,yitafe. ,vhis,,cr