Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-05-07
MY RIVAL.
HOW HE GOT THE BETTER
OF ME IN CONSEQUENCE
OF AN ACCIDENT.

8 HOW HE GOT THE BETTER @
g OF ME- IN CONSEQUENCE =
Z OF AN ACCIDENT. =
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I cannot say that thought much OF
Macintosh. He seemed to me a great
prig. Good looking? Well, yes, in
BARRIERS block sort Of way-curly, oil
ed hair, pink complexion, white teeth.
His teeth were good, must say, and
when he smiled his appearance varied
from that Of q skull to that of dog
out of temper about bones. In the
summer l lad met DR.. and Mrs. Cher
nv. who were friends of mine. We had
been at Delhi once together. They
were going out again in December and
intending to take their daughter Ellen
with them. She was an exceptionally
nice girl, with light hair and blue eyes
and low, musical voice q must say
I like blondes, and harsh voice Is
one of my crosses), and l saw a good
deal of her and should have seen more
only Macintosh was rather In the
way.
However, found out that my
friends proposed to go to India by the
steamer leaving Marseilles on Jan. 2.
And that was just the time my leave
was up. 1t was in the days when
one steamer started from Southampton
and a few days after another from
Marseilles, and they met in Egypt. The
Journey was cheaper by the bay, and
had intended to take that route, but
met Macintosh at the office and found
he was going from Southampton to
please a chum. You would scarcely
believe it, but 1t was the case never
theless, that the Marseilles passengers
thought themselves rather more in So
ciety than the Southamptons. So l
pondered, "If my agents will find the
money, will give Master Macintosh
the 60 by" took a Southampton
berth, but the clerk said might
change it for a Marseilles one after
ward If | liked. And this / did.
started from Dover the day after
Christmas day and at Paris went
straight to the Hotel Byron, where l
knew the Cherrys were staying.
"Friend Mac" said to myself, with
the brand of Southampton on his brow,
will never be able to cope with my
continental prestige"
travelled with my friends In
leisurely way. We gave "a hours to
Lyons and reached Marseilles on the
evening Of Dec. 81. Our inn, the Du
Midi, was on the road to the New
Quarter, and l have been told, since
the building speculations were not so
successful, it has been altered and let
out in flats. But at that day it was
high well like house, having a court
yard in the middle, adorned with
pomegranates in green boxes, where
we sat after table d'hote and drank
coffee and c0gnac.
Mrs. Cherry had letter that evening
by the post, and l observed that its
receipt created interest, and / heard
one or two observations which did not,
however, in any way interpret them
selves to me Mt the time. Really,
after all? But is there time?' "E1ow
has it been managed" and so on.
And when | asked what projects
were in view for seeing the place next
day Mrs. Cherry only replied, Some
thing will suggest itself"
Jan. was a general holiday, and
from an early hour the streets began
to fill, for the peasants came in from
the neighborhood, and all the artisans
turned out in their gayest costumes.
The Cherrys had breakfast in their
own apartments, and l on returning
from the sale manger went into my
own bedroom, which was high up, and
sat at the window smoking a ciga-
rette. Hearing a noise below, l look
ed out and saw the Cherrys starting,
without giving me notice. Ellen, how
ever. observed me.
"Where are you off tor called
down to her.
1--WE are going" she said, ito walk
In the Canebiere. 1t will be great fun!
Come along"
Come along? OF course would!
snatched up my hat and dustcoat
and on rushing from my room observ-
ed slight iron gates and within lift,
stationary. There was no gas in it
nor any attendant, and l had not no.
ticed 1t before or heard Of people going
up or down. But the thought struck
me, II may as well use 1t, time will be
saved" The grating was unlocked. l
entered, took a seat and pulled the
rope. The lift began to descend. Dark
ness, but only for moment or two,
and then another grating, and on-into
the darkness again. Suddenly felt
that the seat was occupying was los
Ing its horizontal position. 1t sunk on
one side. There was grievous creak-
ing, scraping, crashing and then stop
page. Half way between two landing
places the machine had stuck immova.
bly, fast.
OF course 1t was very awkward, but
there was apparently no cause for
alarm. I knew l should get out In
time. but still 1t might be a longish job.
/ did not hear much noise and conelud.
ed l was among thick walls and not
near grating. But there was some
rumbling and shouts as thought. In
q short time, however, all was still. /
had not called out, for I was anxious
to show was cool and not disturbed
by trifing accident Of the sort. In
deed 1 had planned to come out smok-
ing, for had fusee and cigar case
with me. AS there was no vent, how
ever, put of lighting up till my re.
lease was near at hand. I did not
wish the air to be closer than 1t was.
had just thought vaguely, "They
will get me out, and / will emerge
smoking" But two things abruptly
occurred to me, "How will they get you
out" and then, "Are you sure they
will look for you" By heaven! This
later idea became serious. The lift
must have been out Of repair, unfit for
use. 1t was careless to leave the graf
Ing unlocked. But still there was no
attendant, as there would have been
II the thing had been in working trim.
They might perhaps think the lift pass
ed down of its own accord and that