The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-02-03

~ wont keep you prisoner mo.
ment longer than l can help, Mrs.
Ormskirk," e said said jumping up. He
pulled the rope vigorously, but the lift
did not move.
Don't you understand the mechan-
isme" cried Rosalie, in sudden alarm.
Yes, Of course" he retorted, trihe
irritably; "but-but there seems some
thing wrong with It."
Mrs. Ormskirk sprang to her feet
with little scream Of terror.
Z ''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?' r'.N'pt 1Hfo
She chung to him in her 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 by draulic liftP 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,
sobbing. "Such thing has never hap
pened before. Oh, Vincent, can't
cant you save mep', fft'tiH
"Would to Heaven ! could! l would
die for you, gladly" i7Il So.
II don't know about dying for me. )"
she sobbed out, 'but but Il re seems a
very good chance Of your dying with
Bourchier smiled.
II don't think things are quite so bad
as that, Rosalie."
"How do you know Why, any min
ute we nay be'iashed to pieces! J have
heard of such things"
His arm was still round her waist, in
her terror she did not seem to notice il
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 al
peeress-"
"Who told you was going tu be &
peeressP" she retorted, with spirit
IF you are going to take advantage O
the position TOTO bully me-"
my darling, such an idea never
crossed my brain. Hove you far toe
well," interrupted Bourchier, with hi
lips close to her pretty ear. The temp
tation was irresistible. He kissed he
velvet cheek once, twice, and then, a!
she did not attempt to move her fresh
rosy lips. Resale, do you love mep'
She was silent save for a sligll
catching of her breath, that might hav'
been either sigh or sob. a7H
you will not marry R0ckminster
will youP you will marry me-, he wen
on, passionately. 'No one loves yol
as do, Rosalie. Think of it; hav
loved you for ten long years."
"Is that truep" she whispered, in no
most musical tones.
II swear it. Will you marry inc
Rosalic?'' -.
| cliff we ever get out OF the lit
may" "oE'8 isf-tsi
i "The lift! love the lift!'' cne
Bourchier, enthusiastically, "why. bu
, for it"
II might have married Lord Roul
Minister" she said, with an odd littl
laugh. "You told me was an
bitiOus!"
Poor Rockminster! and happy me-!
, laughed Bourchier.
sin the meantime, sir, insist o
being let out of this lift at once; ! vi
, ject to be kept hanging between cart
, and heaven, like Mohammed-or h
, coffin-I forget which it was"
Bourchier, of course, retorted tina
far from thinking himself in such p'
sition, he considered that the lift W,
n. his heaven, and for his part he was pc
q fectly happy where he was.
: "But l am not" said Resale, vii
some return-real or assumed-of h
o fears, sit is almost as bad as the Blac
. Hole of Calcutta"
Just then the lift gave violent lure
q Mrs. Ormskirk screamed and buried h
q face in her handkerchief. Bourchi
jumped up and caught hold of the rop
and, in a moment, the machine glide
, smoothly upward.
"Come, Rosalier' said he, smilin
as they stopped At the seventh Aoo
!. "Alrs well that ends well. You ha'
). only been aprisoner for one short ha
4 hour; am going to put on chains +
u life-chains Of roses, of course"
added hastily. "You have had frigf
|, have won q wife-thanks to that d
lightful institution, the Liftv'-Lo,sd'
Il Truth.