Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-09-27
STRIKING A MAIGH.

deed, ! am not on sufficiently scciable
terms sith any of your gentlemen board
ers TO nave a quarrel"
Saying which Miss Hildeburn, slight,
delioatefeatured girl of Is, walked out of
the room with even more than her wonted
dignity of manner and carriage.
Nevertheless, Notwithstanding" pur-
sued Mrs. Collins, resumiBg her ironing,
ST do believe there's been a misunder-
stendin' between those two; and real
pity it is, for he did admire her amazinly.
il couldn't conceal it. ORly they sell
dom knows what is good for'em, and she's
a lettin' her pride stand in the way of her
happiness now"
FPride, indeed!" sneered Miss Jane
Humphries, Mrs. Collins niece and asis-
tant, tall, red Haired, stylishly dressed
damsel Of five-and thirty. 'I'd like to
know what right girl who earns her liv
IN by givin' music lessons at 80 cents an
hour he's to be proud; and as for Mr..
Sangster, don't believes he ever had
serious thought about her."
'La, Jane, don't know where your
eyes kin be, if you didn't see how fairly
wrapped up In her he was about two weeks
ago. He's splendid young man, any
how, and I'll see if | can't mend matters
between 'em.
= "Yot'd better be mindin' your own bust
ness, think, Aunt Martha" said Miss
Jane, with spiteful laugh.
"Neve- you mind, Jane" persisted the
war n-hearted Mrs. Collins, en- manage
it some way. You say she's afraid of
ghosts, poor lamb!"
The following evening the kind-hearted
landlady tapped ct the door of the scant-
lily furnished fourth-story room occupied
by Lucy Hildeburn, and from which now
proceeded a melancholy strain
Studying your piano at night again?"
queried Mrs. Collins reproachfully, when
the young girl opened the door.
81 am very busy just now and must put
all the time can into study"
swell, but you mustn't forget what the
doctor told you about overworkin' your
BRAIN" said Mrs. Collins. "However,"
she added, ST won't detain you Ionger'n l
kin help. I've come to ask favor. I'm
qon' to the theater this evening". So is
Jane. Sos everybody in the house, l
b'lieve; and the girl has gone to bed with
toothacse SO I'm goin' to ask you to
give an eye to the furnace. I've Just put
on fresh coal and opened the lower doors;
but will you please 60 down at O'Clock
and close the doors!"
''Certainiy,n assented Lucy, upon which
Mrs. Collins produced a lantern saying:
''Just take this down with you. The
cellars ell dark, you know"
Lucy took the lantern, closed the room
door and returned to her piano, while
Mrs. Collins walked away, chucBling TO
herself.
"That lantern ii go out just five min
utes after she sets it down, and she'll find
herself all in tho dark. And she's afraid
of ghosts, poor lamb! But what if some
body who amt ghost shoald happen to
be goin' down there about the same time,
and be obliged to strike g match and
calm her fears?"
And even while induIging in this pleas
ing reflection, Mrs. Collins tapped at q
door on the second floor.
Her summons were responded to by q
pleasant-looking young man, who just
now, however, wore a very detected coun-
tenance.
ala! Mr.. Sangster, didn't expect to
find you at home this evening"
81 didn't feel like going out tonight"
eplied the young man, in weary tone.
swell, since you are going to be at
home" said Mrs. Collins, would you be
so kind as TO look after the furnace? I've
left the lower doors open, bat I'll be very
much obliged if you go down about 8
O'Clock and close 'em. And you needn't
take light. There'll be one down there"
"Mr. Sangster readily promised to
comply with the request, and Mrs. Col
Inns went away, hoping for what she CON
sidered ''the right results"
Meanwhile, poor Lucy Hildeburn, sit
ting at her piano, continued TO draw forth
such melancholy strains that the tears
rolled down her cheeks,
81 must go awsy from here" she said,
half aloud. 81 can't bear it much longer,
indeed can't, seeing him day after day,
loving him as I do, and knowing that
matters can never be adjusted between
us. He is as proud as but oh dear!
what am I thinking of? Itwants but
two minutes to s. must 60 down and
close the furnace DOORS"
Thereupon she lighted the lantern and
proceeded down stairs.
Ugh! what chill 6raught was blowing
in through one of the gratings.
And there were were strange noises all
around.
Lucy's heart thumpad SO violently that
shewas tempted to turn and run up stairs
again.
But goodness, the furnace WAS dresd-
fully, dangerously hot.
Lucy summoned up all her resolution,
and STOPPING down, closed the door.
They swung to with bang, and when
she essayed 80 open them again she found
the effort beyond her strength.
What was to be done il case of the fire
needing more draught.
She might after awhile, find it neces
sary TO put on more coal, and that il
might then be well to put on more
draught.
But while she was debating with herself
much more serious mishap occur red
for the candle inside the lantern sudden
ly achieved the most inexplioable somer
saust aud she then was left in utter dark
ness.
Moreover, to complicate the miseries
of her situation, she now heard stealthy
footsteps descending the cellar stair
way.
Poor Lucy stood quite still witt
her hads clasped together over hel
heart.
This was burglar undoubtedly. He
had seen all the male inmates of tn.
house going out and the lights lowered
and had thus chosen his opportunity t.
come In and conceal himself in tn,
cellar.
The first idea that suggested itself t.
her was to creep under the steps and re
main there until Mrs. Collins return.
Ere she had time to do this, however,
mans form became visible in the dim
semi-twiight that was shed from tn,
kitchen door above.
Lucy, with desperate instinct of self
preservation. put up both hands, exclaim