The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-10-11
STRIKING A MATCH.

wen, MISS hllupDlln. 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 socia-
BILE terms with any of your gentlemen
boarders to have quarrel"
Saying which Miss Hildeburn, a
slight, delicate-featured girl of IS,
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 tits, for he did admire
her amazin'ly. He couldn't conceal 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, indeedr sneered Miss Jane
Humphries, Mrs Collins niece and as
sistant. Il tall, red-haired, stylishly
dressed damsel of five-aud-thirty. I'D
like to know what right girl who
earns her livin' by givin' music lessons
at 30 cents an hour has to lie 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 fair
ly wrapped up in her hewas about two
weeks ago. He's a splendid young
man, anyhow, and I'll see if l can't
mend matters between 'em."
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; I'm
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?" queried Mrs. Collins, reproach-
fully, when the young girl opened the
door.
Il am very busy just now and must
put all the time | 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 | kin help. We come to ask
Il favor. I'm goin' to the theater this
evening. So is Jane. Sos everybody
in the house, | b'lieve; and the girl has
gone to bed with IA tOothache. So I'm
goin' to ask you to give an eye to the
furnace I've Just put on fresh coal
aud 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 walkedaway, chuck
ling to herself.
.'That lantern will 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 Il ghost
should happen to be gOin' down there
about the same time, and be obi ged
to strike a match to calm her fears"
And even while indulging in this
pleasing reflection, Mrs. Collins tapped
at dooy on the second floor.
Her summons was responded to by a
pleasant-looking young man, who just
now, however, wore a very detected
countenance.
LA! Mr.. Sangster, didn't expect
to find you at home this evening"
HiIn1t fool lilo noinp ont 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 furnaceP
I've left the lower doors open, but I'll
be very much obliged if you go down
you needn't take light; there'l 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 go away from here" she
SAID, nalI alOuu- Il ciliI DcilT IL lluCH
longer, indeed l can't, seeing him day
after day. loving him as | do, and
knowing that matters can never be adj
! iusted between us. He is as proud as
| but, oh dear! what am | thinking
of? 1t wants just two minutes to 8.
| must 90 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
ings!
And there were strange noises al
around.
Lucy's heart thumped so violently
she was tempted to turn and run ul
stairs again.
But, goodness! The furnace wa:
dreadfulIy, dangerously hot.
Lucy summoned up all her resolu
ton, and, STOPPING down, closed tht
doors.
They swung to with a bang, anC
when she essayed to open them agaiI
she found the effort beyond her strength
What was to be done in case of the
fire needing more drau9ht?
She might, after awhile, find 1t ne
ceSSary To put on more coal, anu Una
it would be well to put on more
draught.
But while she was debating with her
self IA much more serious miShap oc
CURED. for the candle inside the Ian
tern suddenly achieved a most mex
plicable somersault and she was left il
utter darkness.
Moreover. to cOmplicate the miserie
of her situation. she now heard stealth
? footsteps descending the cellar stairs.
Poor Lucy stood quite still, with he
hands clasped together over her heart
This was a burglar, undoubtedly
He had seen all the male inmates @
the house going out and the lights low