West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1886-02-12

succeed i'm being reproachful.
There was flush on ROsalie's cheek,
and subdued sparkle in her eye. as
she answered.
IL am sorry, Major Bourchicr. And
now. she added, quickly, Il am going
20 ask you 10 give me your arm TO my
carriage I am tired, and want TO 20
home
Lord Rockminstor frOwned. and
murmured q few words into her ear
which Bourchier could not catch: but
Mrs. Ormskirk's -ilvery tones were 30
clear that he could not avoid hearing
her reply:
Yes, tomorrow"
Then she dropped Lord Rock
minister's arm and took Bourchier's
with slight air of embarrassment
You are leaving carly, Mrs. Orms-
kirk, hc said. colby.
Yes, / am tired" she replied. brief
ly Let us make our way downstairs
at once"
But when MR.. Ormskirk's carriage
drove mp slight cORtreic0ipS occurred.
The footman proved 10 be in state OF
hopeless intoNication Bourchier at
once informed Resale of the state OF
affairs, adding that it would be better
To dispense with his services alto
gether.
at is really too provoking" she
said Major Boucher, | must ask
you To drive home with me l an. i'm
most laughable prcdicament Do
you understand how to work liftP"
Bourchier started and then hesitatcd
moment Yes, | think so
That is Fortunate she said, i'm "A
relieved tone. AT Megathcrium Man
sions the lifuman is often not TO be
found so late rs this, and | generally
depend on my own servant | am too
nervous to work the thing myself
Bourchier was naturally overioyed
TO do her this trifling service,
and he felt that the tcte-a-tcte
drive to Megathcrium Mansions
would almost indemnify him for
the loss of that coveted waltz. He
seated himself with alacrity i'm the
widows coy brougham, and they
were driven oil rapidly-too rapidly.
he thought-to their destination
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 iloOr,' said Resale, smiling. as
she seated herself in the lift a small
lamp lighted the machine, and shone
down ON her pOudreG head, piquantc
face and radiant eyes
The ball was a 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 1T
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;"if whatPn
"lf you had not cheated me out of
my waltz, Resale" he burst out, inn
pulsively.
Mrs. Ormskirk blushcd and fingered
her fan neTvously.
"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 |
have loved you for years." He had
seized one of her small hands and
pressed it to his lips before she could
withdraw 1t. He had forgotten all
about the danger OF pr6cipitan cy.
Resale, listen to met
Not now-not here!" she interrupt
ed with touch of her old coquetry.
Fancy any one having the hardihood
to make declaration of love-in lift!
And you used to be $3.50 romanticv'
What does it matter where or when
one speaks if the love be genuine?
love you truly, Resale. and have been
very patient; but / could not bear to see
that idiot Rockminster--"
Major Bourchier, | can not allow
you to speak in that tone Of one who
may one day be my husband"
Your husbandn
Lord Rockminster proposed TO me
this evening she said, dropping her
eyes.
@ And you accepted him?''
Well, not eXactly!' she replied.
with mdlin smile; but I NAV. I
have not given him his answer vet.
shall tomorrow
This, then, was what she meant
when she spoke those two words to
Rockminster. Bourchier's face turned
red with anger.
Rosalie,' he said. holly, you are
a he2rtless coquette' / have done with
You forever"
I am indeed sorry YOU should
think 50 badly OF me, Major Bourchier.
But she added, with the lightest
touch Of sarcasm, "that is no reason
why you should keep me prisoner 20
tell me so. The lift is at standstill."
IL was true In his cagerness Bour-
CHER had dropped the rope, and the lift
was stationary
wont keep you q prisoner a mo-
ment longer than j can help, Mrs.
Ormskirk, he said, jumping up He
pulled the rope vigorously but the lift
did not move
Don't you understandable mechan-
ismp' cried Resale, in sudden alarm.
Yes, of course he retorted. q trifle
irritably; "but--but there seems some.
thing wrong with it,
Mrs Ormskirk ,prang 20 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 u-
70 tears. "Can't-can't YOU save me.
Vincent?"
She chung TO him IN her terror
Don't be- frightened dearest. he
said, trying 10 speak chccrfully; "it
may not be so serious as you think DO
you know II this IS an hydraulic lift2 If
50, the stOppage may be- caused by the
a.