The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1892-12-22

r
an Improved drill.
! The climate-well, every rose has its
/ thorn, and government house and his
/ society would reconcile Geraldine
! Oakley to a bursting thermometer and
+ a diet of quinine. She could have her
sister TO stay with her if she felt
/ lonely; 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 diff
ferent. Mr.. Coyerdale would do very
well for Maud when Geraldine was
gone. There she stood-Maud, not
Geraldine-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 will 90 and tell Geraldine
you are here"
He was delighted; could anything
have been more thoughtful2 But.
oddly enough, she did not 90. She sat
down, on the contrary, aud began tn
gering CHAIR back" neryouslv.
at is fine day" she said, and then
stopped.
Hang it." he thought; q meant to
tell Geraldine the news first, but there
is no harm in beginning with her"
so he began, pulling out his official
letter to show her.
Il have come, Miss Oakley, to tell
you some news and ask you to con-
gratulate me-"
"What,' she exclaimed" are you en-
gagged 10 be mar"
oh, no." he answered, mot exact
ly-that is. not yet-in fact, l meaL
not exactly"
And he got very red, and 50, curl
ously enough, did she She looked
very pretty blushing, and with her
lower lip quivering a little. Geraldine
was not as pretty as Maud. he admit
ted to himself as he looked at her, but
so much the better. Geraldine would
be all the less likely TO tlirt if, that is,
there was any one at the government
house to tlirt with.
No" he said, its the appointment
/ told You Cor was it your sister?) my
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 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 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 sistcr-"&nd 50. Miss Oakley, |
leave Bunborough very soon and have
come to say goodbye"
Good go0d-boo-hoo.
She did not hit the precise note
which had startled Miss Grayson's yis-
itor; 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 entreaJy t. 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.
Could he stop her? lie could hardly
open the window and shout. He
moved toward 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 u way of
4 l,..
door-handle, she sank sobbing into his
arms.
Don't, DON'T" she whispered, hard
ly articulately, but he was doing
nothing from which he could desist,
for he could scarcely let her drop on
the floor.
Good Godw said Captain Jumpison
again; "will no one Gomez" But the
house was still, and he reflected that
perhaps it was as we'll that 40 one
should come in at that precise junct-
ure at all events. not without warn
inc; 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 it was in to tea? If she did,
Maud would surely hear them enter
inc the house and retreat. But Ger
aldine stood talking at the gate.
Only the rector wore high hat at
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and Dr.. Cover
dale.
Click" went the garden gate as
Geraldine passed into the sunny road
way.
"Boo-hoo." 1t was very gentle one
this time. from somewhere near his
watch-pocket.
Click" went the garden gate, as it
swung back on its hinges.
And Captain Jumpison surrendered
at discretion.-Sk James Budget.