Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1893-04-14
A MATTER OF COURSE

myself. so perhaps l ought to explain
how came to be in solitary possess
bion of a randan thatlW ednesday in
the latter part of July. Clever
wanted it down at Datchet on the
Saturday following, and was too busy
10 bring it down himself. Would l
20 to Henley and fetch it for him?
| do not know whether | ever want
90 see that face again. Clever says
do, and, as it was the most remark
lbly beautiful face | have ever seen,
! suppose he is right; but | could
argue TO the contrary. The face was
hot and flushed, and as she turned it
toward me / noticed two little lines
Of perspiration trickling down from
her temples to her checks. The
beads had also gathered on her upper
lip, which was prettily parted from
the lower by the strain OF her awk-
ward burden.
She did not see my admiration for
moment, and then her eyes flashed
down upon mine, calm and gray and
unfathomable, and mine dropped on
to the cold lamb directly and then
rose again to her dusty shoes. was
sitting on the grass just below the
towpath.
She passed me and went on for ten
or fifteen yards, and then paused.
She seemed to be celebrating. Then
she came back and threw the bundle
Of peoples down beside me as rose.
My hat was in the boat, so all | could
do was to stand up. She did not
speak at once, but regarded my lunch
and then myself. The combination
apparently pleased her; at all events
| do not think her satisfaction at
sributable to the cold lamb alone; and
Clever allows that | am not a vain
man, especially when in the neigh
borhood of the river.
81 am so hot and hungry, " she said
quietly, without trace Of affectation
or confusion. What will you do?"
/ am usually struck speechless on
emergencies, but something about
this girl inspired me with unwonted
confidence. In spite of her disarray
she seemed so self-possessed and an
embarrassed that l could not feel
otherwiseomyself
You need not remain hungry very
long" l replied. EVERYTHING I've
got is at your service" This was
comprehensive, but strictly true
can swear.
"What a strange place you have
chosen!' she said, disregarding my
offer.
"Well, perhaps it is" said /; "but
hardly unfortunate, / added, with a
readiness that amazed myself; and
looked up at her face again, to find
the great gray eyes fixed upon me in j.
tently, reading me through.
She did not smile; she bowed
slightly and sedately in acknowledge
ment.
Thank YOU" she said. There is
q little shade the other side of the
bank in the field. VIII you carry it
over there for me?"
Certainly"
The change took about three min
utes, during which she sat on the
edge of the randan and famed her
self with her handkerchief. When
came and told her it was ready at
last. found her looking at the book
had brought with me. 1t makes an
ordinary man blush to be discovered
with book of poetry in his posses
sion. / blrtShed, and hoped the sun
burn would hide it.
"You have been reading Lady
Geraldine's Courtship,'" she said.
"My name is Geraldine" My pres
ence of mind began to fail me. 81
always like that piece so much" she
added.
Then she came and sat down on the
bank in front of the cold lamb and
looked at it,
There does not seem to be very
much of it, she said, and the first
smile she had given me broke around
her mouth. al can eat all that my.
self.
"And why notP" answered.
"What will you do?"
"Oh there is the bread and some
let0uce," 1 said. THAT is quite
enough. Besides, can go on &c
Surly and lunch there"
al would have gone on there and
not troubled your generosity, but
have only twopence in my pocket,
she said; land / should have spent {
penny in crossing"
"You must allow me TO ferry you
over afSerward," said.
THANK you.
As she ate up my lunch / had the
opportunity Of looking at her more
closely. She recalled to my MIND
Tennys sons Maud. with her full un
derlip and 1.-The least little delicate
aquiline curve in a sensitive nose.
She was dressed in the plain blue
skirt and full white blouse tied il
ut the waist with band OF broad
ribbon. She was tall, and her figure
was as beautiful as her face, and the
stately set Of her head and the grace
fulne,s OF her slender neck most ad
mirable. am certain she wore nc
stays. ! could not understand at al
who she might be. Her hands belize