Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-01-18

Geraldine-asnciRe Nth him, Oh. Of oourss.
TO stand and look on for more than one minute.
This time went TO the hall-door. which was
wide open, and, scarcely knewing what L
ing against the doorway, and looked out 1t the
autumn. stars. L felt only dumb, dreadful
sense Of pain aud desolsfion: until then had
possible NV life appeareA without her.
81 must see her In the morning" I kept re-
peating feverishly. "Its al mp now. but
must see her in the morning, and then be on Tor
"No, thank you, Mr.. Miahs, I would rather
stay here-it Is COOKER" This vas Geraldine's
voice in the hall, not ten pace behind me. I'm
that eloak-thank yon. Ali there is Mr.. ogg,
] dare say he viii look after -ae--don't let me
detain you from your partner"
of embarrassment, Ionered her my arm. IL is
not an easy matter, however good your canse,
10 urbraid the woman you love-to begin
quarrel, in fact; aud this was what just then
81 should 50 like to Coon to the terrace" she
half whispered.
al am afraid you viii find the air cold" re-
piled with dignity, quite aweing, even 10 my
self.
She glanced mp at me uneasily.
'.No-and I've got this cloak sn-do! want
I beg to state that the wisest Of men was no
match for q woman, 50 no wonder that yielded
as submissiyely as beaten poodle 10 her coax
ing tone.
"Fancyi you've never spoken to me-never
even looked at me-since you came!'' was her
remark when we we're we'll out of earshot
''xou have 50 kindly given me so many opPor-
"Now, what is the matter? do believe Il
Is Miss Podger. 1t Is too hard on me 10 see
you go on your knees before her. right i'm my
face, and regardless of a roomfull of lookcrs-on.
II Is all very wen to pretend it was the ocean
ter"
"wul you be serious for Eve minutes. Mis-
Montague?' My own voice and mood might
have belonged Go the Archbishop Of Canterbury
at a state funeral-so sombre were they both.
"You want to brighten me-" she replied, for
the second time anxiously scanning my face;
but felt her fingers close tightly on my arm
i went on quickly. 81 know all about NV
cousin, and that his prctensons to your hand
are infinitely superior 20 mine. I can see he is
handsomer, 1 know he Is ten times weather.,
and from all have observed, he appears TO be
a hundred times more agreeable. [I-well,
though, I might have expected it. Never mind
my feelings, you know-Im a man, and can
bear it-and Of course, You wish--to be-re-
"Cecil, you must be crazy. don't know
what you are talking about. Who Is your cou-
sin? don't know any cousin Of yours What
II mean Mr. Nehemiah Ogg, with whom
'Has he Gomez she Interrupted. "Oh,
where Is he? Where was he! When did he
Gomez
cit Is quite folly to attempt TO deceive me In
this way,"I replied, suppressed anger making
my voice queer and unsteady. "lou talk 10
one man . whole evening-go to dinner with
him-dance with him-and then pretend you
don't know his name!"
She came in front of me, putting her hands on
mine, and looking up at me steadily.
81 know you are angry" she said, 'and am
afraid you are angry with me, but Won are
speaking riddles to me. The man who took me
In to dinner is horrid little wretch called Ny
III II hAliQUa-anA II r.T.f a
Of him sooner, though tried my very hardest.
l did think you might have come to NV rescue.
But Mr.. Bottletop told us that this wonderful
Mr.. Nehemiah Oeg, who is to be his heir, is ex-
pected late this evening"
"What has he never come yet?-
Ono. He has been expected ever since you
went, and has been prevented coming several
times, but he is really to arrive tonight; and
when you told me-when you said"
"Geraldine-you are the same a. ever? Tell
me. have been miserable, unjust to you, ma
king fool of myself about nothing. Surely
have! All, my darling, do you love me after
although I'm poor, and stupid, and such a
great goose as TO fancy you could be tickle or
Here followed ceremony which I at least
considered very necessary to the making up Of
the quarrel-if, indeed, a quarrel it was, being
all on one side; and my display vi contrition
threatened to be q prolonged one, having be-
come deeply repentant, and also utterly defiant
OF ali-subduing charms of my cousin-when he
But on Geraldine insisting on going into the
house again, pleaded for one minute, and,
with NOW or never" sort of courage, L said
that L had confession to Mako dreadful
confession II was afraid she would think
far less Of me when she had heard it-but il
must be told. Geraldine, am not what you
believe me-my name is an assumed one-my
real"
A servant here approached suddenly and in
..If you please, Miss Montague. Mr.. Bottletop
wishes to see you immediate. I was to say a
gentleman's come, Miss-Mr. Nehemiah Ogg-
and please win you step this way at once?"
senced and he led us to ie i5rsry @Ssre
Mrs. Montague and Mr.. Bottletop were sitting
together, one each side of the fire. The little
dance was over, and the other guests had retir-
ed for the night.
sswell," said Mr.. B0ttletop, cat last our friend
has arrived, !" II looked around and saw nothing
of him;) sand As it Is as wen to know our own
minds about things, let US settle now. Cecil
being here, makes it q little awkward, 80 well
have no misunderstanding Cecil, in the first
place, do you think you are able and willing to
marry on the little money you and Geraldine
will have between you? DO you think, now sup
economical and keep straight?''
"I'm quite sure of it, Mr.. Bottletop," an
swered eagerly; Nothing viii induce me to
relinquish Geraldine again"
Say, ay," said Mr. Bottletop, with much gra-
VT, sityi And what DO you say young lady, to
al think he il right" answered Geraldine,
steadily, though she blushed brightly.
May ask where my cousin is, SIR" de-
"YOu will see him soon enough, )" responded
my godfather, composedly; she was in his trav-
cling dress and not presentable when he arriv-
ed. But now, Mrs. Montague, having heard
what those young folks say, and believtng-as
very fond of each other, don't you think il win
he kindest and wisesi after all, to let them have
CoraIiina,c sofr~ oxos rosa to b;s f..o r-oxoe,,