Orangeburg times. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1872-1875, 1874-05-28
But if we faill' said Annie, uncon-
sbiously quoting Macbeth.

sff5Sf q 1all! cXclplmcQ I1clen, SCflKln9
an attitude. Still, I'm free to confess
that being to experience a rather fut-
tery sensation about the region of the
heart. Hush here she comes. Thank
you, Minnie dear; this is quite refreshing.
Hcigh-ho. What does make me SO sleepy
to-night2 It's only little after nine.
Well, nevertheless, ifyou'll excuse me,
Asiisnie, I believe I'll say good night.
Minnie shall entertian you by playing
that pretty overture to lie Premier Jour
de Bonheur.' and Helen tripped up stairs,
humming gayly, while her sister, glanc-
ing once more at the clock, shrugged her
plump Shoulders impatiencetly and seated
herself at the piano.
FHelen's voice died away as she reached
her room, and hastily letting her long
hair fall down about he shoulders, in
imitation of her sister, she threw veil
over her face, wrapped herselfin water
proof cloak, and softly stole down the
back stars aud out into the rain and
darkness.
1t may be safely affirmed that Minnie
Chapman had never before played the
overture to lie Premier Jour dc Bon
heur' so wretchedly as upon this peculiar
onsasion. As she rose from the piano, the
clock pointed to twenty-five minutes past
nine. 'Hurriedly murmuring something
about having left her crochet, in the
library, she was about to leave the room,
wheE a sudden cry of pain, from Annie.
arrested her. What is the matter 2 She
inquired, looking back.
.Oh, my eye! moaned Annie, with an
expression of extreme anguish. oh dear
what shall I do?'
Have You got something in your eyer
asked Minnie, irresolute whether to go or
linSer q moment to help her friend.
Yes; oh, what can it be? Do try and
get it out for me. Oh and Annie screwed
up olic of her azure eyes very tightly, and
glared widely about with the other rock
ing herself to and fro with frequent groans
This was too much for MIinnie's tender
little heart, and in an instant she was
searching eagerly for the cause of so
much suffering.
Why, l can't sec anything ut allp
cried she, after moments cx ,mira.ion.
How very strange!
It was exceeding stranpc!
Can't you? groancd Annie.
'Oh!-I'll turn the gas little higher.
There! I've turned it outv
'Pshaw! where are the matches p asked
Minnie, grouping impatiently about i'll
the darkness.
'They were on the table, replied her
companion, dcftly rempving the safe to
the mantle piece.
But they're not here now Oh dear,
and | haven't time to-I meun-whcre
can they be? There! I've tipped over
that vase of flowers and the watcr'll be
all over everything. How provoking! I'll
wip it up with my handkerchief. Mop
mop, mop. Do look for those matches,
Annie
I am. What's the great hurry, I'd
like to know
Never mind; I'll run into the library
and get some; the gas is lit there
No here they are now! I've found
them at last--on the corner of the mantle
Take one
So saying Annie handed the unsuspect-
ing little maiden match of which she
had previously moistencd the Lighting end
in her mouth.
Scratch, scratch, scratch! why it
won't light Scratch, scratch, scratch y
1T mus be bad one.'
Here's another said Annie, repeating
her performance. oh my poor eye! and
she shook convulsivcly-with pain per-
haps.
Renewed scratching, as Intellectual as
before. Minnie's patience was entirely
exhausted.
III tell you what Annie, you jus. run
up stairs and get Helen to examine your
eye. for l remember having left Il book