The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1892-12-02

pected 20 proceed forthwith 10 a some
what distant portion Of her dominions.
where. in return for "a salary exceeding
his widest dreams, he was TO perform
duties AS 10 which he still felt vague.
But they probably included the diSpcn-
sation of substantial Justice with Law
ish hand to sundry swarthy fellow-sub-
jccts 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-wcll, every rose has its
thorn. and Government House and his
society would reconcile Geraldine Oak
ley 20 a bursting thermometer and
diet of quiuine. She could have her
sister TO stay with her if she felt lone
~; he was quite fond OF Maud, though
Of course she did not care for him; did
she not always retire when he came 60
tea. and leave hIm alone with her elder
sister, and always refuse TO give him
more than four dances in one evening?
But Geruldine was different DR. Gov
erdale would do very well for Maud
when Geraldine was gone. There She
was-Maud. not Gcraldiue-standIng
on the top step waiting for him as he
almost ran up the garden walk.
How do you do?" she said, shyly, as
she ushered him into the drawing
room. Il viii 20 and tell Geraldine
you are here"
He was deligh 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 nervously
1t is a fine day." she said, and then
stopped.
''Hang il" he thought; II meant TO
tell Geraldine the news first, but there's
no harm in beginning with her"
50 he began, pulling out has official
letter To show her.
Il have come, Miss Oakley, TO tell
you some news and ask you TO congratu-
late me-"
What she exclaimed, "are you en-
gagged 10 be mar"
''Oh. no. he answered, mot exactly
that i, not yet-in fact, mean not
exactly"
And he got very red, and so, curious
" enough, did she She looked very
pretty blushing and with her lower lip
quivering a little. Geraldine was not
50 pretty as Maud, he admitted to him
self as he looked at her; but so much
the better. Geraldine would be ali the
less likely to flirt, if, that is, there was
anyone at Government House To flirt
with.
NO" he said; Its the appointment
/ told You tor was il your sister?) my
uncle was trying 70 get for me-thc
very thing have been wanting"
And he proceeded TO paint the
charms ef the new career opening be-
fore him in glowing colors- He said
nothing about the quinIne. When hc
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 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
Bunborough very soon. and have come
to say good-by."
"Good-good-boo-
She did not hit the precise note
which had startled Miss Graysons
visitor; but the effect on him was even
more electrifying.
My God!' he murmured.
"Boo-hoo, boo hoo" And she
buried her head in the sofa cushions.
For a 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 a walk,
totally unaware Of his arrival Gould
he stop her? He could hardly open the
window and shout. lie moved toward
the drawing-room door, but hc 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 rs
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 desist, 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 well that no one
should come in at that precise juno
ture-at all events, not without warn
ing; and 50 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 il 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 DR.. Coverdale
Click went the garden gate as
Geraldine passed into the sunny road
way.
''Boo-hoor' 1t was IA very gentle one
this time, from somewhere near his
watch-poclzct.
Click" went the garden gate, as il
swung back on its hinges.
And Capt. Jumpison surrendered At
discretion.-St. james budget