Blue-grass blade., 1886-02-06

praise
lie was resolved to try his luck again,
and in spite of the fair widows occasional
fits Of caprice, he believed his chances Of
success were considerably better than they
werc ten years ago The worst of IL was
that Mrs OrmsErk hal at least half a dozen
! prctendants, ard tho Game Of her admirers
was legion Bourchier was often mortified
TO find that the attentions OF ono or tho
other Of this band of aspirants seemed moro
acceptable to tho little coquottc than his
! own.
One evening, nearly two months after tho
meeting in the park, Mrs. Ormskirk was
present. at fancy dress ball given by Lady
| Ethelinda Roster, sister OF the most dis
tinguished of the fair widows suitors It
was the first entertainment Of tho kind at
which the latter had appeared since her hus-
| bands death. LAZY EtueliEda made 50
| great point OF the matte that she wrote n
charming little note begging dear Mrs.
Ormskirk to break through her rule. Her
| ladyship 10 may bo hintel, was extremely
anxious 10 bring about a rat h between hor
! brother and Josiah OrmslIirb's widow and
JOSIAH Ormskirks thousan 5, tha Rockmin-
stcr revenues not b,ing exactly la flourish
ing condition.
Bourchicr also received card Of invita-
tion, and he hal tn, Moi itifcaton of wit
Messing the very markell attention paid by
Lori Roclsminster TO Rosalie, and, what
was worse, Of noticing that tie latter re-
ceived his lordships attentions with ap-
parent satisfaction Hc watched the pair
with silent wrath Tho grocn-eyed monster
had full dominion over him, and of all
Lady Ethelinda's guests h. was the most
miserable. The brilliant scene, the music,
the gay crowd were like dust and ashes be-
twcon his teeth. He was about to quit tho
ballroom in disgust when, as on O previous
occasion he caught u glance from Rosalie's
beautiful bright eyes, which seemed TO bid
him stay. In a moment he relonted and
vert upto her.
She was standing with Lord Roclclnnster
and one or two other men near one Of th5
long windows.
Bourchier asked for a dance, which was
graciously accorded to him, but when tho
lonsed-for time came round no sought ia
vain FOR the graceful figure dressed in pink
as Vatican sheph rde>s. just as the last
chords of tho walt. were dying away ho
caught sight of her emerging from q dis
tant conservatory on Rockminster's arm
Bourchier went straight up to the pair.
THE last was our dance, | think, Mrs
Ormsliirk," he said in a voice that struggled
to b, calm, but only succeeded in being re-
proachful
There was o flush on Rosalie's check. and
a subdued sparkle in her eyes as she an
swered.
al am 40 sorry, Maj Bourcher And
now," she added quickly, II am going to ask
you to give me your arm to my carriage. I
am tired, and want to go home"
Lord Rockminster frowned, and mur-
INJURED few words into her ear which Bour-
chier could not catch but hrs Ormskirk's
silvery torres were SO clear that he could not
avoid hearing her reply:
"Yes, Tomorrow"
Then she dropped Lord Rockminster's arm
and took Bourchier's with slight air of
embarrassment.
"You are leaving early, Mrs. Ormskirk,"
he said colily.
"Yes, l am tired,' she replied briefly.
"Let us make our way downstairs at once"
But when Mrs. OrmskirI:'s carriage drove
up slight cont.etemps occurred. The foot
man proved to be in state of hopeless in.
toxication. Bourchier at once informed
Rosale of the state Of affairs adding that it
would be better to dispense with his services
altogether.
at is really too provoking she said.
"Mai. Bolrchier, l must ask you to drive
home with me. am in a most laughable
predicament Do You unler5tand how 70
work lift"
Bourchier started. and then hestated
moment "Yes, l think so.'
THAT is Fortunate" she said in relieved
tone. "At Megathorium mansions the lift
man is often not to oe found so late as this,
and l generally depend on my own servant
/ am too nervous to work The thing myself
Bcurchier was naturally oyorjoyed TO do
her this triHing service, and he felt that tho
tete-a-tete drive to Magatherium mansions
would almost indemnify him for the loss OF
that coveted waltz He seated himself with
alacrity in the widows coy brougham, and
they were driven Off rapitily-too rapidly,
he thought-to their destiu alton.
AS Mrs. Ormskirk had surniised the lift.
man was nowhere to be found; the night
porter, who could not leave his post, being
the only creature about at that late hour.
81 must ask you to escort me to the sew
enth noor," said R1sal;e, sailing, as shs
seated herself in tie lift. y small lamp
lighted the machine and slone down on her
pou'lree head, piquant face and raiiant
eyes.
"The ball was dismal failure, wasn't it,'
she said, looking up at him as he worked
the ropes.
"Yes-n-no-not altogether, he answered,
losing his head somewhat. at would have
been the happiest evening Of my life if
lie stopped and fixed his eyes on her face.
"Yes, Maj. Bourchier" she lueried softly;
aif what,'
"If you hal not cheated me out Of my
waltz, Rosalie," he burst out inpulsively.
Mrs. Orms iirk biushed anu fingered her
fan nervously.
"Oh! Rosal;c," he said, dropping the rope
and seating himself 1T her side, why Will
1 ~, "a,
love you You know have loved you for
years." lie had seized one OF her small
hands and pressed il to his lips before she
could Withdraw it, Ho had forgotten all
about the danger of preeipitancy. "Rosaiie,
listen to me"
mot now-not hore' she interrupted with
touch of her old coquetry. Fancy am
ono having the hardihood 90 make declara,
tion of love-in q lift! And you used to DO
$3.50 romanticw
"Vhat does it matter where or when one
speaks il tho love De genuine, love you
truly, Rosalie, and have been very patient.
but / could not bear to 500 that idiot Rock.
minister"
Maj. Bourchier, can not allow you to
speak in that tone of one who may one day
be my husband. Lord Hockminster pro
posed to mo this evening Size said.
sand you accepted him,'
swell, not exa,tl5" she replied with a
malin smile, but mly. have not given
him his answer yet. | shall tomorrow
This, then, was wlat SIZE meant when she
spoke those two words to Rockuinster
Bourchier's face turned red with anger.
"itusalie,' he said hotly, 'you are u heart
less coquette | have dono with you for
ever"
Il am Indeed sorry you should think so
hallv of Inn Mai Ennr. hin,. Eut y ehN