LOVE IN A COAL-CLOSET.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 49, 26 January 1884, Page 2

LOVE IN A COAL-CLOSET.

•The late Key. Dr Wightman, of I£irlf mahoe, one night, sitting later lhan usual, sunk m life, ppofunditjes . of-a grteat folio tome, ypagiriejl Jje heard a sound m the kitchen inconsistent with . the quietude, and security of a manse, so, takihg'hjs'lcandle,. he to investigate the cause. His foot being heard iv the lobby, the house-keeper began with all earnestness to coyer the fire, as if" preparing for bed. " Ye're lati; up to-njgfyt, Mary." "I'm, rtilfiu' the fire, fir, and gaun £o bed." " That's right, Mary ; I like timousjiours.'vQn his way bapk to the study he passed tho coal-oloßet, and fuming th/p key, took it with him. Next morning, at an early hour, there was a rap at his bedroom door, and a request for the key to light the fire. *' Ye're too soon up, Mary ; go back to your bed yet." Half an hour later there was another knook and a similar request, iv ( order to piepare the breakfast. "I~ "don't want br/sakfas^; §o Bqo.n. l^ary; go back to your bed," 'AjiolUv.r hajf^iour, and another knock, wilh eiitrea^y for the key, as it was washing day ! This was enough. He rose and handed out the. key, saying, " Go and let the mau outP' Mary's sweetheart had, as the minister; shrqwdly suspected, been imprisoned all* jjiglitin the coal-closet, wheifyPyrainis-and-Tf}isbp lfk<», : they Ijad breathed their lov<? to eaph other through th<? keyho]e.