The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-01-22


ut is really too provoking she
said. ssMajor Boucher, must ask
you to drive home with me. I am in
most laughable predicament. Do
you understand how TO work a lift?''
Bourchier started, and then hesitated
moment. Eyes, think so.
ssThat is Fortunate" she said, in q
relieved tone. sAt Megatherium Man
sions the liftman is often not to be
found so late as this, and I generally
depend on my own servant. / am too
nervous to work the thing myself
As Mrs. Ormskirk 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.
II 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 poudree head, piquante
face and radiant eyes.
ssThe bali was a dismal failure
wasn't it?" she said, looking up at him
as he worked the ropes.
ssYes-n-no-no altogether he an
swered, losing his head somewhat. 1T
would have been the happiest evening
of my life If He stopped and fixed
his eyes on her face
Eyes, Major Bourchier,m she queried,
softly; '.if what?n
eff you had not cheated me out of
my waltz, Rosalie," he burst out, i'm
pulsiyely.
Mrs Ormskirk 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 thisp
You know I love you. You know l
have loved you for yearsr' 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 precipitancy.
''Rosalie, listen to men'
mot now-not herer' she interrupt
ed with a touch of her old coquetry.
Fancy any one having the hardihood
to make declaration of love-in a lift!
And you used to be $3.50 romantic!"
" What does it matter where orwhen
one speaks if the love be genuine? I
love you truly, Rosalie, and have been
very patient; but could not bear to see
that idiot Rockminster-n
" Major Bourchier, can not 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.
g And You accepted him?''
" Well, not cxactlyr' she replsed,
with malin smile; "but l may.
have not given him his answer yet. /
shall tomorrow.
This, then, was what she meant
when she spoke those two words to
Rockminster. Bourchier's face turned
red with anger.
g Rosalie,'' he said, holly, .'you are
heartless coquette! have done with
you forever"
am indeed sorry you should
think so badly of me, Major Bourchier
But" she added, with the lightest
touch of sarcasm, 'sthat is no reason
why you should keep me a prisoner to
tell me so. The lift is at standstill.n
1t was true. In his eagerness Bour-
CHER had dropped the rope, and the lift
was stationary.
9 | won't keep you prisoner mo-
ment longer than can help, Mrs.
Ormskirk, 2 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, trifs
irritably; "but-but there seems some
thing wrong with it."
Mrs. Ormskirk sprang to her feet
with a little scream of terror.
ooh, 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 usPn she went on, bursting in
to tears. "Can't-can't you save me,
Vincent?n
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 hydraulic liftp If
50, the stoppage may be caused by the
failure of the water.'
II 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
can't you save me?'
"Would to Heaven I could! I would
die for you, gladly"
Il don't know about dying for me, =
she sobbed out, "but but there seems q
very good chance of your dying a0ith
me-
Bourchier smiled.
Il don't think things are quite SO bad
as that, Rosalie."
''How do you know? Why, any min
ute we may be dashed to pieces! Ihaye
heard of such things
His arm was still round her waist; in
her terror she did not seem to notice it
at least she made no attempt to with
draw herself from his embrace.
Life seems all the more enhancing
now, of course" he ventnred to say,
trying not to speak bitterly. ''You
were always ambitious, Rosalie, and as
peeress-"
"Who told you I was going to be a
pceressp" she retorted, with spirit.
IF you are going to take advantage of
the position TOTO bully me-
'My darling, such an idea never
crossed my brain. l love you far too
well, " interrupted Bourchier, with his
lips close to her pretty ear. The temp
tation was irresistible. He kissed her
velvet cheek once, twice, and then, as
she did not attempt to move her fresh,
rosy lips. Resale, do you love me?n
She was silent save for slight
catching of her breath, that might have
been either sigh or a sob.
You will not marry Rockminster,
will youp you will marry me, he went
on oagS0natplv ono ono Iovas vnr