Connecticut western news., 1888-09-19
STRIKING A MATCH.

s'Well, Miss Hildeburn, must say I'm real sorry you and Mir. Sangster have fallen out like that"
 "Oh, Mrs. Collins, indeed you arc mistaken. There has been no falling out between Mr. Sangster and myself. Indeed, am not on sufficiently sociable terms with any of your gentlemen boarders to have quarrel"
 Spying which, Miss Hlldeburn, a slight, delicate-fcatured girl of eigh, teen, walked out of the room with even more than her wonted dignity of man. ncr and carriage.
 Nevertheless, notwithstanding" re- sumcd Mrs. Collins, taking up her ironing, Il do believe there's been a misunderstandin' between those two, and real pity it is, for he did admire her amazin'ly. He couldn't conceal it. Only they seldom know what is good for lem, and she's a-lettin' her pride stand in the way of her happiness now"
 'Prlde, indeeda' sneered Miss Jane Humphries, Mrs. Collins niece and as- sistant, tall, red haired, stylishly- dressed damsel of five nd thirty. q like to know what right girl who earns her Twin by givin' music lessons at fifty cents an hour has to be proud and as for MT. Sangster, don't believe be ever had serious thought about her"
 'La, Jane, don't see where you1 eyes kin be, if you didn't see how fair ly wrapped up in her he was about two weeks ago. He is splendid young man, anyhow, and rlltry and sec if can't mend matters between 'em."
 "You'd better bo mindin' your owr business, think, Aunt Martha" sait Miss J.ae with spitcful laugh.
 '-Nver you mind. Jane," persisted the warm-hearted Mrs. Collins; 'Pl manage in some way. You say she afraid of ghosts, poor lamb"
 The following evening the kind hearted landlady tapped at the door 0 the scantily furnished fourth-story room occupied by Lucy Hildcburn, aud iron which now proceeded a melanchol strain.
 Studying your piano at night againg' qucried Mrs. Collins reproach fully. when the young girl opened tn door.
 'Iam very busy just now. and mus put all the time lean into study"
 "Well, but you mustn't forget wha the doctor told you about overworkin your brain," said Mrs. Collins. "How ever," she added, 'I won't detain yo lon ger I kin help. I'm come to ask favor. I'm going 10 the concert thi evenin'. So i, Jane. Sos everybod in the house, b'lieve; and the girl ha gone to bed with toothache. So IT goin' to ask you to gig. an eye to tn furnace. I've just put on fresh cos and opened the lower doors; but wi you please go down at eight o'clock an close the doors3'
 Certainly" assented Lucy, upo which Mrs. Collins produced lanterr saying:
 "Just take this down with you; tf cellars all dark, you know"
 Lucy took tho lantern, closed tf room door and returned to her piano while Mrs. Collins walked away, chucE
 ling to herself.
 tThat lantern'n go out just five mil
 utes after she sets it down, and she find herself all in the hark. And she afraid of ghosts, poor lamb! But wh' if somebody who ain't ghost shou'
 happen to be goin' down there about tf samo time, and be obliged to strike
 match to calm her fears2" And even while indulging in tn
 pleasing reflection, Mrs. Collins tappe
 at door on the second floor. Her summons was responded to pleasant-looking young man, who ju now, however, wore very dejectt countenance.
 sLal Mr. Sangster, I didn't expect find you home this evening"" sI diln't feel like going out t night" replied the young man in
 weary tone.
 "Well, since you arc going to be home," said Mrs. Collins, 'wonld y be SO kind as to look after the furnac I've left tho lower doorsopen but be very much obliged if you go do1 at about eight o'clock and close 'el And you needn't take light. There be one down there."
 MT. Sangster readily promised e comply with the request, and Mrs. C. lins wont away, hoping for what 3
 csasidsrsd s'ths risht rssulta" ' .