The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-01-16
Select STORY.
LOVE IN A LIFT.
From London Truth.

from LOnuOH IFuM.
Every one agreed that the season prom
ised to be a brilliant one, and the heart OF
the London shopkeeper rejoiced. Perfect
ly-appointed carriages rolled in an endless
stream along the more spacious thorough
fares or stood in long lines outside the vari-
GUS shops patronized by their fair owners.
Bond street was hopelessly blocked 1t was
Just such scene that may be witnessed
any fine day between April and July, but
to one tall, dark, sunburned man, whose
upright carriage betrayed his profession
the whole phantasmagoria of fair women,
perfectly well-got-up men, equally we'll got
up carriages, and lofty "steppers," was re-
plete with the charm of comparative novel
ty. But though the scene was inspiring
enough, he did not linger long in the region
sacred to the Eleusinian mysteries of shop
ping. Just as he was crossing the thres-
hold of the Bayonet Club he was hailed
by well-remembered voice.
"Bourchierl by all that's wonderful
Why, I thought you were far away at
Bangalore."
The speaker was fair, fresh-colored
man, little over thirty, of the familiar
type of the man-about-town; well-dressed.
spruce, and with the air of one who is on
good terms with himself and all the world.
"Come and have cigar and chat.
Why, it must be ten years since you left
England,
t.It is. L shall be a sort of modern Rip
Van Wrinkle"
"Nonsense, man! We don't forgot our
friends quite so soon, even in London,
retorted the other, leading the way into the
smoking-room.
"Now for your news, Huntley, said
Bourchier, as he settled himself in an easy
chair and lighted cigar. "Who has been
born, who has married, who has died since
l saw you last ?"
"Let me think. 1t is difficult thing to
arrange ones ideas when one is hidden to
stand and deliver like that"
In spite of this protest, Huntley during
the next half-hour contrived to retail fair
amount of gossip.
sYou remember Lady Ida Samerton !?
he said, suddenly. "Pretty girl, blue eyes,
complexion roses and cream, and that sort
of thing. Heiress, too. She fell in love
with Seton, of the Guards, who hadn't a
shilling to bless himself with. Her guard
ian didn't see it; cut up rough and wouldn't
hear of it. But she married him, though,
when she came of age" added Huntley,
ruefully, for he had certain tender remem-
brances of his own in connection with the
fair heiress. Perhaps the association OF
ideas prompted his next remark.
aBy the bye, Bourchier, wasn't Rosalie
Dryden an old fame of yours ?"
"That's a leading question with ven
geance," replied the other with rather
forced laugh, as he pulled viciously at his
moustache, ''But what fher? She mar
ried some rich city man, didn't she ?"
"Yes; Josiah Ormskirk. Fellow who
made his money on the Stock Exchange
Died couple Of years ago and left his wife
a rich widow. Awfully good thing for her
for | believe he rather led her life of it
for some time before his death. Hadn I
YOU heard of it?"
"No. He must have died during my
absence at remote place up in the hills
where hardly ever saw newspaper"
sHow did you manage to exist? Well
Mrs Ormskirk is beginning to go out into
society again. l saw her in the Park only
yesterday, and, by Jove, she looked quite
as pretty and almost as young as she die
ten years ago.
"Yes, she was very pretty" assentec
Bourchier, and he added bitterly, sand she
took her charms to the best market, a:
most women do"
aCome, old fellow, don't be cynical,
said Huntley. "Have another cigar, and
let us talk about something else.
But the mention of his old loves name
seemed to have taken away Bourchier'
appetite for society gossip. He rose slow
ly and looked at his watch.
give o'clock. Old habits are things Of
strong growth. L think l shall stroll down
to the Park and see what is going on. DE-
YOU feel inclined to come too, Huntley 2
"No. thanks. | feel lazy this afternoon
so shall look through the evening papers
There has passed away glory from th'
Park. One gets tired of the eternal mill
round in time.
"Well, I'm off, at any rate, for an hour
stroll" And with good-humored smil'
and parting shake of the hands the tw'
men parted As Bourchier sauntered or
toward the park his thoughts went back t.
certain November afternoon, when he ant
Rosalie had ridden home together after
quick run with the Pytchley, and love hat
got the better of prudence, and he ha'
proposed and been refused Pretty Rosa
lie, though she had only the experience o
a single season, had enough of worldly wis
dom to know that though Vincent Bour
chier was handsome, clever enough to b
pleasant companion, of good birth,
brave soldier Che had already distinguishe
himself at the age of five and twenty, h
was no mate for her She was pennies
but ambitious girl, dependent upon tn
whims of her aunt, Lady Silvcrthorne,
stern matron, who had preached her prett
niece many sermon on the folly and wick