Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1892-11-22

when Geraldine was gone. There she
was Maud. not Geraldine standing on
the top step waiting for him as he al
most ran up the garden walk.
How do you dor she said shyly. as
she ushered him into the drawing room.
Il will go and tell Geraldine you are
here, "a
BE was delighted; could anything
have been more thoughtfulf But.
oddly enough, she did not go. She sat
down. on the contrary, and began finger
ing a " chair back nervously.
1t is aine day, she said. and then
stopped.
Hang it. he thought. 81 1meant to
tell Geraldine the news first, but there's
no harm in beginning with her.
So he began, pulling out his official
letter to show her.
II have COME. Miss Oakley. to tell
you some news, and ask you to con.
gratulate me-"
what'' she exclaimed, "are you
engaged to be mar-"
'tOh, no!" he answered--"not ex-
actly-that is, not yet-in fact, mean
not exactly" I"
And he got very red, and 50. curiously
enough, did She She looked very pretty
blushing, and with her lower lip quiver-
ing a little. Geraldine was not so pretty
as Maud. he admitted to himself as he
looked at her; but so much the better.
Geraldine would be all the less likely to
firt, if, that is, there was any one at
Government House to fiirt with.
"No," he said, Its the appointment
told you (or was it your sisterH) my
uncle was trying to get for me-the very
thing 1 have been wanting"
And he proceeded to paint the charms
of the new career opening before him in
glowing colors. He said nothing about
the quinine When he came to an end
of all the details, she was sitting, with
an expression of deep interest, looking
at him. and he felt that had she not been
Geraldine the very moment would have
arrived-that precise opportunity not al
ways easy to obtain, particularly in a
small villa. ''And so," he said, feeling
he must bring his tale to n conclusion
and give her an excuse for going to
fetch her sister-'"and so, Miss Ookley,
leave Bunborough very soon, and have
come to say goodby,"
y
She did not hit the precise note which
but the effect on him was even more
electrifying.
My God" /" he murmured.
"Boo-hoo, boo-hoo-o." And she
buried her head in the sofa cushions.
For minute he said nothing; his first
inarticulate entreaty to her died on his
lips before her storm of grief, so he bit
his moustache in silence. Then the
front door slammed; Miss Geraldine
Oakley was going our for walk, totally
unaware of his arrival. Could he stop
herr he could hardly open the window
and shout. He moved toward tho
drawing room door, but he had to pass
the sofa, and rs he did so the girl on it
rose, as if she, too, half dazed, was seek.
ing way of escape; and, as their hands
met on the door handle she sank sobbing
into his arms.
Don't, don'tr che whispered hardly
articnlately; but he WAS doing nothing
from which he could desist. for he could
scarcely let her drop on the floor.
Good God said Capt. Jumpison
| again; will no one comeP" But the
house was still and he reflected that
perhaps it was as well that no one should
come in at that precise juncture-at all
events not without warning and so there
was another pause, broken only by her
sobs. He could see her sister through the
muslin blinds; she was. looking over the
garden gate talking to some one: would
she change her mind and bring whoever it
was in to tear If she did, Maud would
surely hear them entering the house and
retreat. But Geraldine stood talking at
the gate. Only the rector wore high
hat at Bunborough- by the. Sea, and DIR.
Coverdale.
"Chckl" went the garden gate, as
Geraldine passed into the sunny road
way.
"Boo.hool" 1t was a very gentle one
this time from somewhere near his
watchpocket. ~.
Click - went the garden gate, as it
swung back on its hinges
And Capt. Jumpison surrendered at
discretion.-St. James Budget.
/ u