Semi-weekly south Kentuckian., 1886-04-23

succeed in being reproachful
There was flush on Rosalie's cheek,
and a snbdued sparkle in her eyes as
she answered:
II am sorry, Major Bourcher. And
now," she added, quickly, II AMI going
TO ask you to give me your arm to my
carriage l am tired, and want to 60
home"
Lord Rockminster frowned, and
murmured few words into her ear
which Bourchier could not catch; but
Mrs. Ormsl1irk's slvery tones were so
clear that he could not avoid hearing
her reply:
Eyes, tomorrow.
Then she dropped Lord Rock.
minister's arm and took Bourchier's
with slight air of embarrassment.
"You are leaving early, Mrs. Orms-
kirk, he said. coldly.
"Ycs, am tired" she replied, brief
ly. "Let us make our way downstairs
at once
But when Mrs. Ormskirk's carriage
drove up slight contretemps occurred.
The footman proved to bo in state Of
hopeless intoxication. Bourchier at
once informed Rosahe of the state OF
affairs, adding that it would be better
% dispense with his services alto
gether.
ut is really too provoking" she
siid. "Majpr Boucher, l must ask
you to drive home with me. l an in
most laughable predicament. Do
you understand how to work liftP"
Bourchier started, and then hesitated
q moment. "Ycs, l think so."
THAT is fortunate,n she said, in
relieved tone. "At Megatherium Man
sions the liftman is often not to be
found so late as this, and l generally
depend on my own servant. / am too
nervous to work the thing myself"
BOurchier was naturally Overjoyed
to do her this trifling service,
and no felt that the tete-a-tete
drive TO Megatherium Mansions
would almost indemnify him for
tho loss Of that coveted waltz. He
seated himself with alacrity in the
widows cozy brougham, and they
were driven of rapldly-too rapidly,
he thought-to their destination,
As Mrs. 0rmskirk had surmised, the
liftman was nowhere to be found the
night porter, who could not leave his
post, being the only creature about at
that late hour. rE.:.
~ must ask you to escort me to the
seventh floor" said Rosalie, smiling, as
she seated herself In the lift A small
lamp lighted the machine, and shone
down ON her pottdree head, piquante
face and radiant eyes. o.
"The ball was q dismal failure
wasn't itp" she said, looking up at him
as he worked the ropes,
| "Yes-n-no-not altogether" he an
swered, losing his head somewhat. at
would have been the happiest evening
OF my life if" He stopped and fixed
his eyes on her face.
Eyes, Major Bourchier, /" she queried,
softly; ''if whatp"
"lf you had not cheated me out of
my waltz, Rosalie," he burst out, i'm
pulsively.
Mrs. 0rmskirk blushed and fingered
her fan nervously.
"Oh. Rosalier' he said, dropping the
rope and seating himself at her side,
why will you play with me like this?
You know love you. You know l
have loved you for yearsl" He had
seized one of her small hands and
pressed it to his lips before she could
withdraw it, He had forgotten all
about the danger Of precipitan cy.
"Rosalie, listen to me!'
Not now-not herel" she interrupt
cd with touch of her old coquetry.
Fancy any one having the hardihood
to make declaration Of loye-in q lift!
And you used to be so--so romantio!''
g" What does it matter where or when
one speaks If the love be genuinee l
love you truly, Rosalie, and have been
very patient; but 1 could not bear to see
that idiot Rockminster-"
Major Bourchier, / can not allow
you To speak in that tone of ono who
may one day be my husband"
| Your husband!" r.
| Lord Rockminster proposed to me
this evening" she said, dropping her
eyes.
"And you accepted himp"
"Well, not exactly" she replied,
with nsalfn smile; "but may. !
have not given him his answer yet. ]
shall tomorrow. ner rss-
This, then, was what she meant
when she spoke those two words to
Rockminster. Bourchier's face turned
red with anger. .3s O.,
" Rosalie,h he said, hotly, ''you are
aheartless coquettei l have done with
you forever" .E IFEI ULH
Il am indeed sorry you should
think so badly Of me, Major Bourchier.
But" she added, with the lightest
touch of sarcasm, "that is no reason
why you should keep me prisoner to
tell me SO. The lift is at q standstill. w.
It was true. In his eagerness Bour-
chier had dropped the rope, and the lifi
was stationary.
81 wont keep you prisoner mo-
ment longer than ! can help, Mrs,
0rmskirk," he said, jumping up. He
pulled the rope vigorously, hut the lift
did not move, -C
"Don't you understand the mechan'
ismpn cried Rosalie, in sudden alarm.
"Yes, Of COURSE" he retorted, triae
irritably; "but-but there seems some
thing wrong with it." -
Mrs. Ormskirk sprang to her feel
with little scream of terror.
'Oh, Major Bourchier, we shall be
killed, know we shall. There is some.
thing wrong with the lift! We may be
dashed to pieces-the thing may fall
or-or something. Oh, what win be-
come of usi" she went on, bursting in
to tears. "Can't-can't you save me-
Vincentp''
She clung to him in her terror.
Don't be frightened, dearest" he
said, trying to speak cheerfully; I'll
may not be so serious as you think. Dc
you know il this is an hydraulic liftP II
SO, the stoppage may be caused by the
failure of the water"
II don't know-I don't know wha
an hydraulic liftis," moaned Rosalie
sobbing.,. "Such a thing has never hap
pcned before. Oh, Vincent, can't
can't YOU save meP'
"Would to Heaven could! | woult
die for you, gladly"
~ don't know about dying for me-
sho sobbed out, "but-but there seems {
! very good chance Of your dying soai
mo-"