The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1906-08-25
AN
ELEVATOR
CUPID
BT CARROLL WATSON RANKIN.

Ur themselves TO the elevator in the
| Bailey building. for it was connected
ia an electric motor Of such unstable
-' racteT that the initiated had los, all
nHdence IN II as means OF transporta-
isuii.
h2therine, however, was not an inhabi-
r70t. In her own town elevators pur-
ned the even tenor OF their way without
v Aracs Of any sort; 50, when her bust
with the photographer on the top
or was completed the young woman.
. wiA every reason to expect a swift and
mey.ntful journey TO the street, stepped
e9Hlicntly into the elevator.
~ tie fourth aoor the elevator stopped
to Init second passenger, a man
named Westcot, Wes,cott differed from
Katherine in that he entered the cage
ike apartment with full knowledge Of its
treachcrous tendencies, but Westcott was
TINT morning in frame of mind 10 court
dis7 s.er. He assured himself as he
stcprd in that il was matter OF com
plcte Indifference to him whether the ele-
vat0r shot suddenly upward and crashed
through the skylight or dropped wihod;
warning into the basement
The elevator. however, did neither of
these things. Under the guidance of a
chubby. blue-eyed youth, it pursued its
downward career until it reached the
space between the first and second floors
there !. stopped
NJ The sigh. OF her fellow passenger
Katherine had turned pink with cmbar-
rassnent. The man had Inuttercd some
thing under his breath and bowed frig-
idly; for, before cour.ing disaster, he had
courtcd katherine-apparent it had
amounted TO the same thing They had
parted forever only the evening before,
and the ring she had worn for three
months was at that moment in Westcott' 5
trousers pocket, where he had thrust it
sayagcly at the end OF their quarrel.
Why are we stopping here" asked
Katherine, turning to the elevator boy OF
chcrehic countenance.
"'Cause we can't 20 on" returned the
boy producing bag of peanuts and a
dlnc novel, and proceeding to make him
self camfortable. The blamed power $
off"
Has it ever-does It often go off like
this"
"Oh, yes" replied the boy cheerfully.
There's nothin' to be scared Of. Some
times ,he runs all right for as much as
a week; then. again. she won't bulge
for six or seven hours at stretch
six or seven hours" gasped kath-
crime
Yep" replied the boy. settling himself
more comfortably on his stool. Once
1t was longer. but Rinrally they get her
goin in an hour or two. There's no dan
ger At all, miss"
The boy gently discouraged further
cony, sation BY burying himself in his
book Katherine moved to the end OF
the 2 leather covered seat. Westcott.
at .h, xtrene other end, stared gloomily
at tha wall.
N crime looked at her watch. It was
! alreal past luncheon time, and she had
been TO miserable to eat much break
fast. Still-shc Frightened at the thought
she ,hould not starve. for she had with
| her hox of chocolates she was taking
| home l. her sisters children.
| She looked at her watch again. Only
four minutes had passed. but pangs OF
| hunger we're becoming uncomfortable. The
chulhy boy munched peanuts with appar-
entity no thought Of his fellow sufferers
| katherine united the pink string ths,
bound ne candy box, unfolded the paper
lifted Up the lid and ate chocolate
When she had eaten three she glasced
at Ne,tcott. He was still gazing at the
val. The walls in elevator shafts arc
seldom interesting. This one was tin.el
with 4 bilious green-a color that West
cott Inbred.
How he must hate me- thought Katt.
crime, eating another chocolate, "wher
| he'd rat ther look at wall than at me
| ! wonder what l ought to do? If we
| were utter strangers, cast away on a des.
| ert Isle and he had one biscuit and three
| drops Of water, | should think him hor
rid If he didn't offer me half ! suppos,
| ought to offer him some of these choco
| lates. even If we're not on speaking
terms
Katherine, sitting very straight, ant
with her eyes straight ahead, pusheC
the box along the seat. Westcott pait
no attention.
VIII you have chocolate" asket
Katherine, somewhat unsteadiy.
/ NesiC5tt was so sure that he wa
dreaming that he did not make any an
| swer
The lady spoke to you," prompted tn
elevator boy.
Westcott looked inquiringly at Kath
crime.
viii vou-wll you have a chocolate !?
NO, thank you replied Westcott re
turning to the contemplation OF the gree,
wall.
There was another long pause. Th
reelected box remained half way between
the suspended passengers.
Il think you're very-ungentlemanly
said Katherine. at length.
SO you said last night" responds,
Westeott coldly.
! ~ oure more so to-day"
Glow to-"
"You-you know I'm too polite to ca
those chocolates and let YOU 90 huner
and I'm fairly starving
Westcost. with an air of exaggerate,