Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1893-03-02

He was delighted; could anything
have been more thoughtful ? But,
oddly enough, she did not go. She
sat down, on the contrary, and began
lingering 'chair back nervously.
1t is a fine dsy, she said, and then
stopped.
Hang il, he thought; Il meant to
tell Geraldine the news irst, but there
is no harm in beginning with her.
So he began, pulling out his official
letter 10 show her.
Il have come, Miss Oakley, to tel
you some news aud ask you to con-
gratulate me-
What = she exclaimed, are you en-.
gagged to be mar.
oh, no I he answered. not exactly
that is, not yet-in fact, / mean
not exactly
Aud he got very red and 80 curl
ously enough, did she. She looked
very pretty blushing, and with her
lower lip qulverlng 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 f,irt. if,
that is, there was anyone at the gov
ernment house to flirt with.
NO. he said, it's the appointment
l told you Tor was it your sister p 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 qulnine. When he
came to all end of all the details she
was sitting, with an expression Of
deep interest, looking at him, and be
felt that had she only been Geraldine
the very moment would have arrived
that precise opportunity not always
easy to obtain, particularly in small
villa. and SO, he said, feeling he
must bring his tale to 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. bye
'Good-good-boo. hoo
She did not hit the precise note
which had startled Miss Grayson S
visitor; but the effect Oh him was
even more electrlfying.
My God 7 ne murmured.
'Boo-hoo, boo--hoo-o.' And
she buried her head in the sofa
cushions.
For a minute he said nothing; his
first inarticulate entreaty to her dleo
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 fol
a walk, totally unaware of his arrival
Co1ld be stop her? He could hardly
open the window and shout. HI
moved toward the drawing room
door, but he had to pass the sofa, anc
as he did so the girl on it rose, as II
she, too, half dazed, was seeking 1
way of escape: and as their hands me
on the door handle, she sank sobbinl
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 or
the floor.
"Good Godp said Captain Jump.
son again; will no one Gomez But
the house was still, and he reflected
that perhaps it was as well that nc
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 mus
lin blinds. She was looking over the
garden gate, talking to some one.
Would she change her mind and
bring whoever it 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 high
hat at Bunborough- blythe, Sea and
DR.. Coverdale.
Click went the garden gate as
Geraldine passed into the sunny road
way.
'Boo-hoo!' 1t was q very gentle
one this time, from somewhere near
his watch pocket.
'Chck!' went the garden gate, as it
swung back on its hinges.
And Captain Jumpison surrender
ed at discretion.-St. James Budget.
Captain Mckay and His Passengers.
The fact is that the excellent captain
OF the Umbria, Captain Mckay, was a
little more open with his passengers than
was quite prudent. With the laudable
desire of sparing them any unnecessary
anxiety, he informed them plainly of the
cause OF the stoppage of their course and
genially assured them of their perfect
safety. So far, so good. The passengers
had right to ask that much, and it was
but sensible to let them know the truth
and not imagine worse things for them
selves. But what the passengers had no
right to ask for was information as to
the course that the captain was going to
pursue, and Captain Mckay made a
mistake in not snubbing the first gentle
man who questioned him on the subject.
why don't you send up rockets?" one
of the passengers is said to have plain
lively demanded. 'There will be time
enough for rockets when vessel comes
near enough to see them," answered the
captain evasively, but courteously.
The politeness was fatal. After the