The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1888-09-13
STRIKING A MATCH.

'Well, Miss Hildeburn, must say
I'm real sorry you and Mr.. Sangster
have fallen out like that"
"Oh, Mrs. Collins, indeed you are
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 havo a quarrel"
Saying which, Miss Hlldeburn, o
slight, delicate te-featured girl of eigh,
teen, walked out of tho room with even
more than her wonted dignity Of man
ner and carriage.
Nevertheless, notwithstanding" re-
sumed Mrs. Collins, taking up her
ironing, II do believe there's been q
misunderstanding bctwoon 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
'em, aad she's a-lettin' her pride stand
in the way of her happiness now."
'Prlde, indeed2" sneercd Miss Jane
Humphries, Mrs. Collins niece and as
sistant, tall, red -haired, stylishly-
dressed damsel of five nd thirty. u
like to know what right girl who
earns her livin' by givin' music lessons
at fifty cents an hour has to be proud
and as for Mr.. Sangster, don't believe
he ever had a serious thought about
her"
la, Jane, don't see where your
eyes kin be, if you didn't see how fair
ly wrapped up in her ho was about two
weeks ago. He is splendid young
man, anyhow, and pll try and see if l
can't mend matters between EN-"
"You'd better be mindin' your own
business, l think, Aunt Martha" said
Miss Jane with spitef full laugh.
Never you mind, Jane" persisted
the warm-hearted Mrs. Collins; ''Ill
manage in some way. You say she's
afraid Of ghosts, poor lambr
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 Melancholy
strain.
Studying your piano at nights
againa' qucried Mrs. Collins rcproach-
fully. when the young girl opened the
door.
'Tam very busy just now, and must
put all tho time lean into study"
"Wcll, but you mustn't forget what
the doctor told you about ovorworkin'
your BRAIN" said Mrs. Collins. "How-
ever" she added, IT won't detain you
longer'n kin help. I'm come to ask a
favor. Pm going 10 the concert this
evenin'. So il Jane. Sos everybody
in the house, b'lieve; and the girl has
gone to bed with toothache. So I'm
goin' to ask you to giya an eye to the
furnace. I've just put on fresh coal
and opened the lower doors; but will
you please go down at eight o'clock and
close the doors2'
Certainly" assented Lucy, upon
which Mrs. Collins produced lantern,
saying:
"Just take this down with you; the
cellars all dark, you know"
Lucy took tho lantern, closed the
room door and returned to her piano,
while Mrs. Collins walked away, chuck
ling to herself.
"That lantern'll 60 out just five min
utcs after she sets it down, and she'll
find herself all in the bark. And she's
afraid of ghosts, poor lambl But what
if somebody who amt 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 door on the second floor.
Her summons was responded to by
a pleasant-looking young man. who just
now, however, wore a very detected
countenance.
'Lal Mr.. Sangster, didn't expect to
fad you home this evening""
II Didn't feel like going out to.
night" replied the young man in a
weary tone.
swell, since you are going to be at
home," said Mrs. Collins 'would you
be so kind as to look after the furnace7
Two left the lower doorsopen but II
be very much obliged if you go down
at about eight o'clock and clcss 'em.
Aud you needn't take light. There'll
bc one down there"
Mr.. Sangster readily promised to
comply with the request, and Mrs. Col
Inns went away, hoping for what she