The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1888-09-13
STRIKING A MATCH.

L III Icdl SUI y you anu NIL SaAS StSi
have fallen out like that.
sOh, Mrs. Collins, indeed you are
mistaken. There has been no falling
out between Mr.. Sangster and myself.
Indeed, am not on sufficiently socia-
BILE terms with any of your gentlemen
boarders to have quarrel"
Saying which Miss Hildeburn, a
slight, delicate-featured girl of 18,
walked out of the room with even more
than her wonted dignity of manner and
carriage.
Nevertheless, Notwithstanding, "
pursued Mrs. Collins, resuming her
ironing, 81 do believe there's been a
misunderstanding between those two;
and real pity it is, for he did admire
her amazin'ly. He couldn't conceal it.
Only they seldom knows what is good
for 'cm, and she's lettin' her pride
stand in the way of her happiness
now.n
Pride, indeed" sneered Miss Jane
Humphries, Mrs. Collins niece and as
sistant, tall, red-haired, stylishly
dressed damsel of five-and-thirty. "rd
like to know what right girl who
earns her livin' by givin' music lessons
at 30 cents an hour has to be proud;
and as for Mr.. Sangster, don't be-
lieye he ever had serious thought
about her."
LA, Jane, I don't know where your
eyes kin be. if you didn't see how fair
ly wrapped up in her hewa about two
weeks ago. He's a splendid young
man, anyhow, and I'll see ii / can't
mend matters between EN-"
You'd better be minding your own
business, think, Aunt Martha" said
Miss Jane, with spiteful laugh.
Never you mind. Jane" persisted
the warm-hearted Mrs. Collins; "Tll
manage it some way. You say she's
afraid of ghosts, poor lamb!'
The following evening the kind
hearted landlady tapped at the door of
the scantily furnished fourth-story
room occupied by Lucy Hildeburn, and
from which now proceeded a melan-
choly strain.
Studying your piano at nights
again?n queried Mrs. Collins, reproach-
fully, when the young girl opened the
door.
II am very busy just now and must
put all the time l can into study"
"Well, but you mustn't forget what
the doctor told you about overworkin'
your BRAIN" said Mrs. Collins. ''How-
ever" she added, Il won't detain you
longer'n I kin help. I've come to ask
favor. I'm goin' to the theater this
evening. SO is Jane. Sos everybody
in the house, l b'lieve; and the girl has
gone to bed with toothache. 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 90 down at 8 o'clock and
close the doors?"
Certainly" assented Lucy, upon
which Mrs. Collins produced lantern,
saying:
Just take this down with you. The
cellars all dark, you know"
Lucy took the lantern, closed the
room door and returned to her piano,
while Mrs. Collins walked away, chuck
ling to herself.
THAT lantern will 90 out just five
minutes after she sets it down, and
she'll find herself all in the dark. And
she's afraid of ghosts, poor lamb! But
what if somebody who amt ghost
should happen to be goin' down there
about the same time, and be obi ged
to strike match to calm her fears
And even while indulging in this
pleasing reflection, Mrs. Collins tapped
at door on the second floor.
Her summons was responded to by a
pleasant-looking young man, who just
now, however, Wore Il very detected
countenance.
ia! Mr.. Sangster, didn't expect
to find you at home this evening"
Il didn't feel like going out to-
night" replied the young man, in a
weary tone.
well, 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, but I'll
be very much obliged if you go down
at about 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.
Collins went away, hoping for what
she considered 1.-The right results
Meanwhile, poor Lucy Hildeburn,
sitting at her piano, continued to draw
forth such melancholy strains that the
tears rolled down her cheeks.
Il must 90 away from here" she
said, half aloud Il can't bear it much
longer, indeed can't, seeing him day
after day. loving him as 1 do, and
knowing that matters can never be ad-
justed between us. He is as proud as
but, oh dear! what am l thinking
of? 1t wants just two minutes to s. l
must 90 down and close the furnace
doors"
Thereupon she lighted the lantern
and proceeded down stairs.
Ugh! What chill draught was
blowing in through one Of the graf
ings!
And there were strange noises all
around.
Lucy's heart thumped so violently
she was tempted to turn and run up
stairs again.
But, goodness! The furnace was
dreadfully, dangerous y hot
Lucy summoned up all her resolu-
ton, and, STOPPING down, closed the
doors.
They swung to with a bang, and
when she essayed to open them again
she found the effort beyond her strength.
What Wac IN ba 1opa in caSa of tho