Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-02-18

kinks widow and Josiah Ormskirk's
thousands, the ROckminster revenues
not being exactly in a fiourishing con-
dition.
Bourchier also received a card of in
vitation; and he had the modification
of witnessing the very marked atten-
ton paid by Lord Rockminster to
Rosalie, and what was worse, of motto
ing that the latter received his Lord
ships attentions with apparent salts
faction. He watched the pair with
silent wrath. The green-eyed monster
had full dominion over him, and of all
Lady Ethelinda's guests he was the
most miserable. The brilliant scene,
the music, the gay crowd were like dust
and ashes between his teeth. He was
about to quit the ballroom in disgust
when, as on previous occasion, he
caught glance from Rosalie's beauti-
full brown eyes, which seemed to bid
him stay. In a moment ne relented
and went up to her.
She was standing with Lord Rock
minister and one or two other'men near
one of the long windows.
Bourchier asked for a dance, which
was graciously accorded to him, but
when the longed-for time came round
he sought in vain for the graceful fig
ure dressed in pink as a Vatican shep-
hcrdess. Just as the last chords of the
waltz were dying away he caught sight
of her emerging from distant con-
servatory on Rockminster' arm. Bour-
CHER went straight up to the pair.
1.-The last was our dance, think,
Mrs. Ormskirk," he said. in voice
that struggled to be calm, but only
succeed in being reproachful.
There was flush on Rosalie's cheek,
and subdued sparkle in her eyes as
she answered.:
Il am sorry, Major Bourchier. And
now" she added, quickly, II am going
to ask you to give me your arm to my
carriage. l am tired, and want to go
home"
Lord Rockminster frowned, and
murmured a few words into her ear
which Bourchier could not catch; but
Mrs. Ormskirk's silvery tones were SO
clear that he could not avoid hearing
her reply:
~ eS, tomorrow.
Then she dropped Lord Rock
minister's arm and took Bourchier's
with a slight air of embarrassment.
"You are leaving early, Mrs. Orms-
kirk" he said, coldly.
Eyes, I am tired" she replied, brief
ly. "Let us make our way downstairs
at once"
But when Mrs. Ormskirk's carriage
drove up slight contretemps occurred.
The footman proved to be in a state of
hopeless intoxication. Bourchier at
once informed Rosalie of the state of
affairs, adding that it would be better
to dispense with his services alto
gether.
ut is really too provoking" she
said. major Boucher, l must ask
you to drive home with me. l am in
most laughable predicament. Do
you understand how to work lift?'
Bourchier started, and then hesitated
a moment. Eyes, l think so.'
THAT is Fortunate" she said, in a
relieved tone. "At Megatherium Man.
sions the liftman is often not to be
found so late as this, and l generally
depend on my own servant. / am too
nervous to work the thing myself"
Bourchier was naturally overjoyed
to do her this trifling service,
and he felt that the tete-a-tete
drive to Megatherium Mansions
would almost indemnify him for
the loss of that coveted waltz. He
seated himself with alacrity in the
widows cozy brougham, and they
were driven off rapidly-too rapidly,
he thought--to their destination.
AS Mrs. Ormskirk had surmised. the
liftmaS 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
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.
1.-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 an
swered, losing his head somewhat. ut
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 what?'
''If you had not cheated me out of
my waltz, Rosalie," he burst out, i'm
pulsively.
Mrs. Ormskirk blushed and fingered
her fen nervously.
"Oh. Rosalie!" he said, dropping the
rope and seating himself at her side,
why will you play with me like this?
You know l love you. You know l
have loved you for years" 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 precipitan cy.
"Rosalie, listen to met"
"Not now-not here!" she interrupt
ed with a touch of her old coquetry.
Fancy any one having the hardihood
to make a declaration of love-in lift!
And you used to be $3.50 romanticr'
What does it matter where or when
one speaks if the love be genuine? l
love you truly, Resale, and have been
very patient; but could not bear to see
that idiot ROckminSter-H