The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1873-05-22
From the Overland Month ly
Cousin Geofrey.
"Geoffrey listen to me"
am listening, Helen.'

''tfeotfrev listen to me.
. am listening, Helen
Well, put down that stupid paper; |
want to tell YOU something"
He obeyed her leaning back in the
luxurious arm chair and patiently await
ing further Developments A faultlessly
handsome tace it was. that rested against
the crimson damask; perfectly regular
features. and wavy hair OF the true golden
tint; fine aristocratic face But it was
the tired, tired blue ewes which arrested
your attention, and interested You in spite
of yourself. Wonderful eyes they were
eyes with such beautiful possibilities in
them, they might have belonged to hero
or saint. instead of, as now betraying
only the utter wearving of a dlase man of
the world. The little Helen Of ten years
ago had put that look into words, when
she said: ''Cousin Geofrey's eyes always
look as if they We're saving. 'Oh. come,
now-let'S rest y"
| Geotfrey Howard, with his fascinating
presence, thirty-fve Years of AGE. and
empty purse, was the admiration of all
| girls newly brought out, and the terror of
worthy "mammaS intent on settlements.'
His face expressed an unusual amount of
interest as he sat watching the girl before
him. A perfect contrast to himself, there
was still Il strong likeness between them;
not so much in outward form, for the girl
was small, with iet-black hair and large,
dark eyes, flashing fire at one moment
then filled with deep tremulous sottness
the next. A tender, passionate face, and
the impatient tapping of the small Slip
pered foot, betrayed Il temperament at
total varience with the quietude of her
cousin and yet, there was u likeness
''the Howard look" Geotfrev called it,
"Well, ma belle, what is ii 81
Helen had turned to the window and
was gazing into the street not that there
was anything to be seen. for it was 4
foggy afternoon in London, and the street
lamps We're already lighted Twisting a
piece of paper round her finger, she said
abruptly: ''Geotfrey do YOU remember
Sir George Linton 80
''Of course do: one couldn't well for
get him after the way he hung round you
at the Merton's, last Christmas"
"Do you know how much he has
year?"
'No, really; | didn't make it my busi-
ness to inquire. Do you ?"
Yes" she answered. shortly, II did
make 1t n'T business to in1uiro, on, rather,
mamma did. He has five thousand now.
and will have As much more when his
uncle dies-which will be soon, mamma
says"
''Indeed Very comfortable. Well ?"
'Woll, he has asked me to marry him
that's ALL
A sudden contraction of the smooth,
white brow was the only evidence of sur
prise or displeasure There was none in
the quiet voice which asked:
and what does your mother say 2"
"Say? Why, that, as | have been
brought here for the sole purpose Of sell
ing myself to the highest bidder, it is
more than folly to delay an instant, now
the chance has Icome,' was the bitter
answer.
"Well, Aunt Ju is about right, as she
generally is. Don't you think so, Helen?"
No answer came from the quiet figure
at the window-only the same intent gaze,
with eyes that saw nothing. into the foggy,
gloomy street. Geofrey Howard rose,
and went over to her.
''Nellie !"
A quick sob answered him.
"Nellie you know | would marry you
myself if | could; but | can't Four hum
dred a year does't half keep me, and it
certainly couldn't keep us both-you know
this, Nellie"
An impatient movement of her hand
showed him she was listening. He stood
there beside her-the only woman he had
really loved--looking out into the darken-
ing street. Once again he went over his
position, which ended with 4 sigh, as all
previous ''goings over" had done. Hand
some, and with rather more than average
talents. he was very welcome guest at
country houses; Indispensable at picnics,
croquet parties, and balls-''iust the man
to make things 90 off welP'-declared
his friends invitations that came to him by
the hundred his bill for lodgings was a
mere nothing. Married. all this would
be changed. His peerless Nellie IN print
gown, and himself in last years cut, was
not pleasing picture to contemplate.
"Nellie !'-and his long slender hand
turned the carefully -averted face towards
him-"Nellie look at me-" She obeyed,
gazing steadily at him, till, suddenly, the
dark eyes filled with passionate tears, and,
with another quick, painful sob, she buried
her face in her hands. Nellie you know
| love you; but you see how useless it is
to wait for fortune to take pity on us.
You are now twenty-five; this is your
second season. Aunt Ju couldn't be made
to see any reason for refusing Sir George.
You know this, Nellie ?"
81 do, Geoffrey'
Who could have guessed, in the silence
that followed, that all the light was being
stricken out of these two lives?
'When will Sir George come for his
answer?"
'To-night. He goes with Us to the
Kingleys"
is he coming to dinner?"
Yes"
''Shall you see him before ?"
''No, after"
Silence again; broken, at last, by Helen
rising.
81 am going to dress now, Geoffrey. |
You 60 to the Kingsleys', OF course P"
They were very much alike now, the |
same wearied voice-the same tried look
in the fearless eyes raised to his.
He let her pass him without seeking to
detain her; but as she reached the door
he stretched out his arms with a sudden
passionate cry "Nelie %
She came to him at once-placed both
arms about his neck, and cluno to him,
with a choking sob" Geoffrey! Geof-
frey ~
He put her away, at last, very gently.
"Nellle my poor little darling AL |
ways remember that loved you-that l |
1oued you !"
Geoffrey Howaxd's musings were very
painful, as he sat alone in his aunt's hand
some drawing-room. One by one he had |
seen his cousins drought out'' and well
married. He had aided his aunt in her
designs, and reioiced with her when, one
after another, Kate, Julia, and Laura had
conferred their beauty and accomplish
ments on men of rank and wealth. Hand |