Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-03
post, being the only creature about 9
that late hour.

that late hour.
| ~ must ask you TO escort me to the
seventh floor" said Resale, smiling,
as she seated herself in the lift. A
small lamp lighted the machine, and
shone down on her poudrte head,
| piquant face, and radiant eyes.
.The ball was o dismal failure
wasn't it?" she said, looking up at him
as he worked the ropes.
Yes-n-no--not altogether" he an
swered, losing his head somewhat. II
would have been the hsppiest evening
Of my life if" He stopped and fixed
his eyes on her face.
.Yes, Major Bourchier? she
queried softly; elf WHAT"
IF you had not cheated me out of
my waltz, Rosalie, T" he burst out impul-
sively.
Mrs. Ormskirk blushed and fingered
her fan nervously.
"0h, Rosalie," 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 |
have loved you for years." He had
seized one Of her small hands and press
ed it to his lips before she could with
draw it. He had forgotten all about
the danger Of precipitancy. Rosalie,
listen to me "
"Not now; not here !! :" she inter-
| rupted with q touch Of her old couuet-
ry. "Fancy any one having the hardi-
hood to make declaration Of love-in
lift And you used to be so, so ro-
mantle !"
What does it matter where or when
one speaks if the love be genuine? l
love you truly, Rosalie, and have
been very patient; but could not
bear to see that idiot Rockminster-"
"Major Bourchier, | cannot allow
you to speak in that tone of one who
may one day be my husband"
Your husband?"
"Lord Rockminster proposed to me
this evening"" she said, dropping her
eyes.
"And you accepted him ?"
Well, not exactly " she replied,
with maiin smile; "but | may.
have not given him his answer yet. |
shall tomorrow"
This, then, was what she meant when
she spoke those two words to Rock
minister. Bourchier's face turned red
with anger.
Rosalie," he said holly, "you are
heartless coquette have done with
you forever"
II 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 standstill."
1t was true. In his eagerness Bour-
CHER had dropped the rope, and the lift
was stationary.
Il won't keep you prisoner a mo-
ment longer than l can help. Mrs.
Ormskirk," he said, jumping up. He
pulled the rope vigorously, but the lift
did not move.
" Don't you understand the mechan-
ism ?" cried Rosalie, in sudden alarm.
"Yes, of course" he retorted a
trihe irritably bu.-but there seems
something wrong with it,"
Mrs. Ormskirk sprang to her feet
with little scream of terror.
"Oh, Major Bourcher, we shall be
killed. know we shall. There is
something wrong with the lift We
may be dashed to pieces-the thing
may fall-or-or something. Oh,
what will become Of US -" she went
on, bursting into tears. Cant
can't you save me, Vincent"
She chung to him in terror.
Don't be frightened, dearest" he
said, trying to speak cheerfully; sit
may not be so serious as you think.
Do you know if this is an hydraulic
lift? If so, the stoppage may be
caused by the failure of the water"
81 don't know don't know what
an hydraulic lift is" moaned Rosalie,
sobbipg. "Such a thing has never
happened before. Oh, Vincent, can't
can't you save me?
Would to Heaven | could. |
would die for you gladly"
81 don't know about dying for
me-" she sobbed out, but-but there
seems very good chance Of your dying
Wuh me-"
Bourchier smiled.
~ don't think things are quite so
bad as that, Rosslie."
How do you know? Why, any |
minute we may be dashed to pieces
| have heard of such things"
His arm was still round her waist;
in her terror she did not seem to notice
ii-at least she made no attempt to with
draw herself from his embrace.
Life seems all the more enhancing
now, of COURSE" he ventured to say,
trying not to speak bitterly. " You
were always ambitious, Rosalie, and as |
peeress--"
"Who told you was going to be
peereSs ," she retorted with spirit.
"Ifyou are going to take advantage Of |
the position to bully me -"
"My darling, such an idea never
crossed my brain. / love you far too
well," interrupted Bourchier, with
his lips close to her pretty ear.
The temptation was irresistible. lie
kissed her velvet cheek once, twice,
and then, as she did not attempt to
move, her fresh rosy lips. "Rosalie,
do you love me?"
She was silent save for slight catch
ing Of her breath that might have been
either sigh or sob.
You will not marry Rockminster,
will you? You will marry me !? " he
went on passionately. "No one loves
you as do, Rosalie. Think of it have
loved you for ten long years."
SIS that true?" she whispered in
her most musical tones.
81 swear it. Will you marry me,
Rosalie?"
cliff we ever get out Of the lift
may"
"The lift | love the lift :" cried
Bourchier, enthusiastically, "why, but
for it -"
8" might have married Lord Rock
Minister" she said, with an odd little
Al n L