The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1907-07-02
A ROMANCE IN
an ELEVATOR

II Miss Mendon is wanted at the tele-
phone said the elevatuf by at the
Paradise fats as he stood az the door
Of Mrs. Curriers' dining room on the
fourth floor.
Grace left the dinner table and the
guests with little sigh of impatience
The elevator was waiting, and she was
at the telephone bccth on the first floor
In minute.
The call was from Ethel the ire
sponsible one.
Il am III and cannot come to your
aunts dinner" said Ethel but I have
j sent my cousin Robert, who has just
come from Denver He d. not want
to go. Of course--sad 1t was cheeky OF
n him TO call that way upon strangers.
But ! made him 60. The BIZ goose
doesn't know how to deny me any
thing. You must receive him with
welcome. Isn't 1t joker"
How like Ethel that was? Or course
the western cousin would be lac and
embarrassed and uncomfortable Well,
no matter, thought Grace as she hur-
| ried back to the elevator. 1t served
him right for being big goose and
letting Ethel boss him about.
Going up!" shouted voice In the
hall just as the elevator boy closed
| the door Of his little cage, The boy
opened the door again and waited, ana
a tall young man rushed into the car
"Ethel's cousin" thought Grace, for
she had seen his photograph often, but
she said nothing The young man
took off his hat, and Ethel admired his
strong. clean face. The elevator
started upward with a jerk and then
stopped with a jerk between floors.
The boy pulled at the lever, but the
machinery failed to work. The eleva-
tor would not go up; 1t would not so
down.
What's the natter" asked the
young man.
Stuck" said the boy. He proved
1t by throwing the lever first back
ward, then forward.
Il hope you're not frightened" said
the young man, turning to Grace, with
a smile.
OF course not" she assured him.
The Janitor came and managed to
pry open the gates on the second floor
There was space OF about foot
there, and the boy climbed up and
wriggled out like an eel, regardless
OF the janitor's rough remonstrances.
She sat down on the boys stool and
tried to look cheerful.
Are you in Mrs. Curriers' party?"
he asked.
Il am Mrs. Curriers' niece. And
you are EthePs cousin?" she ventured.
Yes; Robert Murchison Shall we
call II an introduction, Miss Mendon?"
How did you know my name?"
ETHEL told me- | had just been
looking at your photograph"
Then the elevator dropped into the
basement well with chug that caused
a scream from the women who were
for the rescue of Grace.
Then the lights went out. The base.
ment was dark save for the distant
glow Of the furnace doors that threw
a red glare across the top of the car.
Are you all right?" asked the en-.
yineer from above. Be patient Well
have you out pretty soor"
How many matches have you got?'
lsked Grace.
-Four" said he.
Then give me two of them" she
He gave them to her. and did not
elease her hand, but pressed II reas-
uringly.
You are the bravest girl / ever
aw."
Il am trying to be brave. thank
GU" she said. But which photograph
i'd you see?"
She lighted a match and held II be-
ore his face as II she wanted to see
he answer as well as hear II.
THE one you had taken for Turner"
e said.
She blew the match out hastily.
How extravagant you are!" he ex-
1T was not half burned up"
What did Ethel tell you about
im?"
THAT he was the fifth" he replied.
ravely.
Il viii pay her for that"
"She doesn't charge anything" said
thers cousin. BY the way, is there
SIXTH"
Have you had a sixth??" she asked
I'd one could imagine that she was
Milling
only a first" he said fervently.
Tell me about her. That is so In
resting"
Il love her." he began.
And she?"
Il do not know" sadly. II hardly
re to hope. You see, have known
r only an hour.
'You are Ridiculous" she said.
fly.
Il am " earnest May hope to be
e SIXTH"
There will be no sixth" she whis-
red. There will be only a first.
e other FIVE do not count"
The machinery is fixed again"