The Lamar register., 1907-07-24
a ROMANCE IN
AN elevator
BY c. J. COOKE.

phOne, SAID the elevator boy at the
Paradise fats as he stood at 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 booth on the first floor
in a minute.
The call was from Ethel. the ire
sponsible one.
Il am Ill and cannot come to your
sunt's dinner" said Ethel, but have
sent my cousin Robert. who has Just
come from Denver. He did not want
10 go, of course-said 1t was cheeky of
him to call that way upon strangers.
But l made him go. The big goose
Doesn't know how to deny me any
thing. You must receive him with
welcome. Isn't 1t a joke?"
How like Ethel that was? OF course
the western cousin would be late and
embarrassed and uncomfortable. Well.
no matter, thought Grace as she hur-
ried back to the elevator. 1t served
him right for being a big goose and
letting Ethel boss him about.
Going up!" shouted a voice in the
hall Just as the elevator boy closed
the door of his little cage. The boy
opened the door again and waited, and
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 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 go
down.
What's the matter?" asked the
young man.
Stuck" said the boy. He proved
it by throwing the lever first back
yard then forward.
II hope you're not frightened" said
he young man. turning to Grace, with
smile.
of course not" she assured him.
The janitor came and managed to
Try open the gates on the second floor.
There was a space of about a foot
here. and the boy climbed up and
vriggled out like an eel, regardless
If the janitors rough remonstrances.
She sat down on the boys stool and
tried to look cheerful.
Are you in Mrs. Curriers' party 2"
he asked.
Il am Mrs. Curriers' niece. And
you are Ethel's cousin" she ventured.
Yes; Robert Murchison. Shall we
call 1t an introduction. Miss Mendon?"
How did you know my name?"
Ethel told me. l 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
waiting 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-
gineer from above. Be patient Well
have you out pretty SOON
How many matches have you got?"
asked Grace.
-Four" said he.
Then give me two of them" she
commanded.
He gave them to her. and did not
release her hand, but pressed 1t reas-
suringly.
You are the bravest girl l ever
saw"
Il am trying to be brave, thank
you," she said. But which photograph
did you seer"
She lighted a match and held 1t be-
fore his face as II she wanted to see
the answer as well as hear 1t.
THE one you had taken for Turner"
he said.
She blew the match out hastily.
How extravagant you are!" he ex-
claimed ut was not half burned up"
What did Ethel tell you about
him?"
THAT he was the fifth" he replied,
gravely.
II will pay her for that"
"She doesn't charge anything" said
Ethels cousin. by the way. is there
SIXTH"
Have you had a sixth??" she asked
and one could imagine that she was
smiling.
only a first" he said fervently.
Tell me about her. That is SO in.
teresting"
81 love her," he began.
And she?"
q do not know" sadly. 81 hardly
dare to hope. You see, I have known
her only an hour.
You are Ridiculous" she said,
softly.
81 am in earnest. May l hope to be
the SIXTH"
There will be no SIXTH" she whis-
pered. There will be only a first.
The other five do not count"
1.-The machinery is fixed again."
bawled the engineer from above. IF
you will move the lever over a little
Just little-the car will rise"
THE boy may have been right" he
said, gravely. I'm case we should go
up to the roof-and beyond-tell me,
dear one. before we start, do you think
If / should attempt to kiss you that
would be taking an undue advantage