The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-11-17
low he had transferred him.

Its outcrmost covering he could feel the
communication which had that after
noon altered the course of his career
forever. 'On her majesty's service" it
had arrived, and Ion her majesty's
service" it informed him he was ex.
pected 20 proceed forthwith to some
what distant portion of her dominions,
where, in return for salary exceeding
his widest dreams, he was to perform
duties as to which he still felt vague.
But they probably included the dispen-
sation of substantial justice with Law
ish hand to sundry swarthy FELLOWSHIP
jects and the instruction of the male
portion of them in the use of obsolete
weapons and the evolutions of an i'm
proved drill.
The climate-well, every rose has its
thorn, and Government House and his
society would reconcile Geraldine Oak
ley to a bursting thermometer and a
diet of quinine. She could have her
sister TO stay with her if she felt lone
ly; he was quite fond OF Maud, though
of course she did not care for him; did
she not always retire when he came to
tea, and leave him alone with her elder
sister, and always refuse to give him
more than four dances in one evening?
But Geraldine was different Dr. Cow
erdale would do very well for Maud
when Geraldine was gone There she
was-Maud, not Notwithstanding
on the top step waiting for him as he
almost ran up the garden walk.
How do You do?" She said, shyly, as
she uShercd him into the drawing
room. 81 will go and tell Geraldine
you are here
lie was dcligh ted; could anything
have been more thoughtful? But,
oddly enough, she did not 60 She sat
down, on the contrary, and began
lingering chair back" ncrvously
ut is fine day." she said, and then
stopped.
Hang it," he thought; II meant 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 congratu-
late me-"
What" she exclaimed, ARE you en-
gagged to be mar"
'Oh, not he answered, mot exactly
that is, not yet-in fact, l mean not
exactly"
And he got very red, and so, curious.
ly enough, did she. She looked very
pretty blushing and with her lower lin
quivcring little. Geraldine was not
so pretty as Maud, he admitted to HIM
self as he looked at her; but so much
the better Geraldine would be all the
less likely to tlirt, if, that is, there was
anyone at Government House to flirt
with
No" he said; its the appointment
| told YOU Tor was it your sister?) nv
uncle was trying to get for me--the
very thing have been wanting"
And he proceeded to paint the
charms of the new career opening be-
fore him in glowing colors. He said
nothing about the quinme. When he
came to an end of all the details she
was sitting, with an expression of deep
SotereAS'vP ol<sng atS tt,n, and he fcit
that ha,.She only been Geraldine the
very moment would have arrived-that
precise opportunity not always easy to
obtain, particularly in a small villa
And So" he said, feeling he must
bring his tale to a conclusion and give
her an excuse for going to fetch her
sister--"and SO Miss Oakley, leave
marlborough very soon, and have come
to say good-by."
"Good--good-bo o-boo."
She did not hit the precise note
which had startled Miss Grayson's
visitor; but the effect on him was even
more electrifying,
My Godr 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 mustache in silence. Then
the front door slammed; Miss Geraldine
Oakley was going out for walk,
totally unaware of his arrival. Could
he stop her" He could hardly open the
window and shout He moved towar,
the drawing-room door, but he had to
pass the sofa, and as he did so the girl
on it rose, as if she, too, half dazed,
was seeking way of escape; and as
their hands met on the door handle She
sank sobbing into his arms
Don't, don't!" she whispered, hardly
articulately; but he was doing nothing
from which he could dcsist, for he
could scarcely let her drop on the floor.
Good God!" said Capt Jumpison
again; will no one Gomez" But the
house was still; and he reflected that
perhaps it was as we'll that no one
should come in at that precise juno
tsre-at all events, not without warn
ing; 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 gar
den gate talking to some one; would
she change her mind and bring who
ever II was in TO tea? If she did, Maud
would surely hear them entering the
house and retreat. But Geraldine
stood talking at the gate Only the
rector wore a high hat at marlborough.
by-the-Sea and DIR. Coverdale.
Click" went the garden gate as
Geraldine passed into tie sunny road
way.
"BOO-hOoW 1t was "A very frepflr ono