Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-01-28

1T is really too provoking" sho
said. major Ilopchier, l must ask
you 10 drive home with me. am in
a most laughable predicament Do
you understand how to work liftP"
Bourchier started, and then hestatod
a moment Eyes, I think so.n
"Thut Is fortuuate,n she said, In
relieved tone. "At Megatherium Man
sions the liftman Is often not to be
found so late rs this, and l generally
depend on my own servant aa too
nervous to work the thing myself
As Mrs, Ormskirk had surmised, the
llftman was nowhere TO be found; the
night porter, who could not leave his
post, being the only creature about at
that late hour.
II must ask you to escort me to the
seventh floor" said Rosalic, smiling, rs
she seated herself In the l'ft. A small
lamp lighted the machine, and shonc
down on her pottdrce head, piquante
face and radiant eyes.
"The ball was a 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.
"Yes, Major Bourchier," she queried,
softly; I'll what7"
III you had not cheated me out Of
my waltz, Rosalie," he burst ous, inn
pulsively.
Mrs. Ormskirk blushed and fingered
her fan nervously.
"Oh, kosalier' he said, dropping the
rope and seating himself at her side,
why will you play with me like this?
You know 1 love you. You know
have loved you for ycarsm He had
seized one Of her small hands and
pressed Il to his lips before she could
withdraw It. He had forgotten all
about tho danger Of precipitancy.
"Rosalie, listen to met
mot now-.not herem she interrupt
cd with touch of her old ooquetry.
Fancy any one having the hardihood
to make a declaration of lovo-in lift
And you used to be $3.50 romanticv'
What does it matter where orwher
one speaks IL the love be genuine9 !
love you truly, RoSalie, and have been
very patient; but 1 could not bear to see
that idiot Rockminster-"
Major Bourchier. I can not allow
you to speak in that tone Of one whC
may one day be my husband"
Your husbandr'
Lord Rockminstcr proposed to m,
this evening"" she said, dropping hei
eyes.
" And you accepted himP"
Well, not cxactlyw she replied
with malin smile; "but 7 may.
have not given him his answer yet. ]
shall tomorrow"
This, then, was what she mean,
when she spoke those two words tt
Rockminster. Bourchier's face turned
red with anger.
Rosalie,'' he said, hotly, "you arr
a hoartless coquctte! 1 have done with
you forever
Il am indeed sorry you should
think so badly Of me, Major Bourcher
But," she added. with the lightes,
why you should keep me prisoner to
tell me so. The lift is at a standstill. ~
II was true. In his eagerness Bour.
chicr had dropped the rope, and the lift
was stationary.
II wont keep you a prisoner a mo-
ment longer than / 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.
"Ycs, of course" be retorted, a trihe
irritably; "but-but there seems some
thing wrong with it,"
Mrs. Ormskirk sprang to her feet
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 will be-
come Of usP' she went on, bursting in
to tears. "Can't-can't you save me,
Vincent?n
She clung to him in her terror.
Don't be frightened, dearest" he
said, trying to speak chcerfully; "it
NAV not be so serious as YOU think. Do
you know II this is an hydraulic lift? II
50, the stoppage may be caused by the
failure Of the water"
Il don't know-I don't know what
an hydraulic lift is, moaned Rosalie,
sobbing. "Such a thing has never hap.
pened before. Oh. Vincent, cant
can't you save me?''
Would to Heaven could would
die for you, gladly"
II don't know about dying for me-"
she sobbed out, "bat-but there seems a
very good chance Of your dying 'oiM
Bourchier smiled.
Il don. think things are quite so bad
as that, Rosalie." "
''How do you know? Why, any min.
ute VIC may be dashed to piecesl Ihave
heard Of such things"
His arm was still round her waist; In
her terror sae did not seem to notice Il
at least she made no attempt 20 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, Rosalic, and as
a peeress-"
"Who told you was going to be a
pceress?' shO retorted, with spirit
IF you are going to take advantage Of
the position toto JWiiy me-"
my darling, such an idea never
crossed my brain. love you far too
we'll" interrupted Bourchier. with his
lips close to her pretty ear. The temp
tation was irresistible. lie kissed her
velvet check once, twice, and then, as
she did not attempt 10 move her fresh,
rosy lips. "ROsalie, do you love me?"
She was silent save for slight
catching Of her breath, that might have
been either q sigh or a sob.
"YoG will not marry ROckminstcr.
will you? you will marry me, he went
on, passionately. ''No one loves You
~ L Il He'll. I,l.i..I. II L.. L..