The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1904-01-09

Che looked at her watch again. Only
four more minutes had passed, but the
pangs Of hunger we're becoming unen-
durable. The chubby boy munched uts
with apparently no thought Of his fell
low sufferers. Katherine united the
pink string that bound the chocolate
bex, upfolded the paper, lifted the lid.
and ate a chocolate.
When she had eaten three she glanced
at Westcott. He was still gazing at the
wall. The walls In elevator shafts are
seldom interesting; this one was tinted
a bilious green-a color that Westcott
abhorred.
How he must hate me- thought
Katherine. eating another chocolate,
when he'd rather look at a wall than at
me wonder what | ought 10 do? II
we we're utter strangers, cast away on a
desert isle, and he had One biscuit and
three drops OF water, | should think him
borrld II he didn't offer me hall. sup
pose | ought TO offer him some OF these
chocolates, even II wore not on speak
ing terms"
Katherine, sitting very erect, and gaz-
ing straight ahead, pushed the box along
the seat. Wcstcott paid no attention.
win you have a ~chOcolate?' asked
Katherine, somewhat unsteadily.
Westcott was SO sure that he was
dreaming that he did not make any an
swer.
THE lady spoke to you" prompted
the elevator boy.
Westcott looked inquirinsIy at kath-
crime.
win you-will you have a choco-
late?"
mo, THANK you" replied WestCott,
returning to the contemplation of the
green wall,
There was another long pause. The
neglected box remained halfway be-
tween the suspended passengers,
Il think you're very ungentlemanIy,'
said Katherine at length.
80 You said last night" responded
Westcott, coidly.
you're more SO to-day
How"
"You-you know I'm too polite 10 eat
these chocolates and let you go hungry,
and I'm fairly starving"
Westcott, with an air Of exaggerated
politeness, took a chocolate and ate 1t,
with his eyes fixed unsOCiably upon the
| green wall, He dared not trust himself
to look al Katherine, Katherine nib
bled a bonbon. waited in silence for ten
minutes. and again offered the o TO
Westcott, who gravely helped himself,
| This operation was repeated until only
one remained In the tOx, The remasn-
ing one was heart-shaped,
| ITS Il heart" exlaimcd the elevator
boy, who had read too many dime
s~hockers" not to recognize an interest
Ing situation when face to face with one,
aud who was unable to contain himself
longer. You'll have to toss for it, 1t
Is a heart, isn't it2"
why, SO 1t isl" replied Katherine.
Wi you have 1t, ~Bob-pardon me
Mr.. Westcott?"
Wcstcott shot a quick glance at Kath-
crime, who had gradually moved two
feet away from the end Of the leather"
covered bench, and vas consequently
that much closer to the man she had
Tilted the previous evening.
DO | understand that you are offer
ing me q heart?" asked Westcott.
IT'S your turn" said Katherine
flushing a beautiful crimson.
Westcott took from his pocket some
thing that glittered, laid it in the boz
beside the chocolate heart, and pushed
the box toward Katherine.
do we play fair?" he asked, with hi
eyes on Katherine's.
The elevator boy, agog with excite
mont, retired disCreetly. but with reluct
ance, to the pages of his paper, but no
before he had recognized in the glitter
ing object a ring,
And when he looked again the bo,
contained two hands. although only on
was visible; the man was no longer ga2
ing at the wall.
The hand Of the indicator above tn
boys head was leaping from number t
number in curious fashion, sounds O
ringing bells and impatient voice
drifted from the elevator shaft; but tn
man and the maid paid no heed.
Then the boy moved the lever slowl!
even reluctantly. and the elevate
dropped quietly to the ground floor"
OH" exclaimed Katherine, DRAWN
her hand gently from Westcott's an
giving n long sigh We're actual
: down"
Yes" beamod the boy. land 20
t might have been down Is minutes az
Just rs we'll as not; but seen ho'
/ things was going, and | thought I'd hel
them along some"
You shall come to the weddin.
/ Cupid" said Westcott. slipping a heay
- coin into the cheruhic boys hand. Ar
e he added, as they stepped out of the ell
vator or to the solid ground; "lf
$ ever own IN elevator you shall run it
~~Pearson's Magazine.