The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-11-03
STRIKING AMATCH.

"Well, Miss Hildeburn, I must say
Pm real sorry you and Mr.. Sangster
have fallen out like that"
"Oh. Mrs. Collins, indeed you are
mistaken. There has been no failing
out between Mr.. Sangster and my.
self. Indeed, I am not on sufficiently
sociable terms with any of your gentle
men boardefs to have q quarrel"
Saying which Miss Hildeburn, a
slight, delicate-featured girl of 1S,
walked out of the room with ever
more than her wonted dignity Of
manner and carriage.
Nevertheless, Notwithstanding"
pursued Mrs. Collins, resuming bet
ironing, 81 do believe there's been q
misunderstanding between those two;
and real pity it is, for he did ad-
mire her amazin'ly. Hecouldn't con-
ceal it. Only they seldom knows
what is good for 'em, and she's
lettin' her pride stand in the way OF
her happiness now"
"Pride, indeedW sneered Miss Jane
HUMPHREYS, Mrs. Collins niece and
assistant, a tall, red-haired, stylishly
dressed damsel of five-and-thirty." I'd
like to know what right girl who
earns her Twin by givin' music lessons
at so cents ON hour has to be proud;
and as for Mr.. Sangster, don't be-
lieve he ever had serious thought
about her."
"La, Jane, l 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 a splen-
did young man, anyhow, and I'll see
If can't mend matters between 'em.
"You'd better be mindin' your own
business, Il think, Aunt Martha"
said Miss Jane, with a spiteful laugh.
"Never you mind, Jane" persisted
the warm hearted Mrs. Collins; "I'll
manage it some way. You say she's
afraid of ghosts, poorlamb!''
The following evening the kind
heartedslandlady tapped at the door
of the scantily furnished fourth-story
room occupied by Lucy Hildeburn,
and from which now proceeded
melancholy strain.
Studying your piano at nights
again." queried Mrs. Collins re-
proachfully, when the young girl
opened the door.
81 am very busy just now, and
must put all the time l can into
study"
"Well, but you muslin forget what
the doctor told you about overwork-
in your BRAIN" said Mrs. Collins.
However" she added, 81 won't
detain you longer'n ken help. I'm
come to ask a favor. I'm goin' to
the theater this evening" So is Jane.
Sos everybody in the house, I 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 go
down at 8 o'clock and close the
doors?"
Certainly" assented Lucy, upon
which Mrs. Collins produced Ian
tern, saying:
Gust 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,
chuckling to herself.
"That lantern II go 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 a
ghost should happen to be goin'
down there about the same time, and
be obliged to strike a match to calm
her fears?"
And even while indulging in this
pleasing reflection, Mrs. Collins
tapped at a door on the second floor.
Her summons was responded to by
pleasant-looking young man, who
just now, however, wore q very de-
jected countenance.
LA! Mr.. Sangster, I didn't expect
to find you at home this evening""
81 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, "wouId you
be SO kind as to look after the fur
mace? I've left the lower doors open
but I'll be very much obliged if you
20 down at about 8 o'clock and
close EN-. And you needn't take a
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 "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.
81 must go away from here" she
said, halt aloud, 81 can't bearit much
longer, indeed l can't, seeing him
day after day, loving him as do,
and knowing that matters can never
De adjusted between us. He is as
proud as I-but, oh dear! what am l
thinking of? 1t wants just two min
utes to s. ] must go down and close
the furnace doors"
Thereupon she lighted the lantern
and proceeded down stairs.
Ugh! What a chill draught was
blowing in through one of the graf
'ngs!
And there were strange noises all
around.
Lucy's heart thumped so violently
she was tempted to turn and run op
stairs again.
But, goodness! The furnace was
dreadfully, dangerously hot.
Lucy summoned up all her resolu-
tons, and, STOPPING down, closed
the doors.
They swung to with bang, and
when she essayed to open them
again she found the effort beyond
her strength.
What was to be done in the case