Connecticut western news., 1893-07-13
CANAAN, CONN, THURSDAY, JULY l3 1893

| society would reconcile Geraldine Oak l ley to a bursting thermometer and a diet | of quinine. She could have her sister to stay with her if she felt lonely. He was 1 quite fond of Maud, though of course she did not care for him. Did she not al- ways 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 Ger aldine was different. Dr. Coverdale 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 ushered him into the drawing room. 'I will go and tell Geraldine you are here."
 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 a "chair back nervously.
 ''It is a 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 congrat- ulate me-"
 "What!' she exclaimed, .are you engaged to be mar .... s..r ha that is, not yet-in fact I mean not exactly"
 And he got very red, and so, curiously enough, did she. She looked very pretty blushing, and with her lower lip quiver- ing a little. Geraldine was not so pretty as Maud, he admitted to himself as he looked at her; but so much the better Geraldine would be all the less likely to hirt, If, that Is, there was any one at Government House to firt with. No" he said; tits the appointment l told you Cor was it your sisterO my uncle was trying to get for me-the very thing l have been wanting"
 And he proceeded to paint the charms of the new career opening before him in glowing colors. He said nothing about the quinine. When he came to all end of all the details she was sitting, with all expression of deep interest, looking at him, ,sand he felt that had she only been Geraldine the very moment would have arrived-that precise opportunity, not always easy to obtain, particularly in d small villa. And so," he said, feeling he must bring his tale to d con- cluslon and give her an excuse for going to fetch her sister-'.and so, Miss Oak ley, leave Bunborough very soon, and have come to say goodby."
 "Good-good-boohoop
 She did not hit the precise note which had startled Miss Graysons visitor, but the effect on him was even more electri- flying.
 My Godr' he murmured.
 "Boo-hoo, boo-hoo-ol" And she buried her head ill 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 un- aware of his arrival. Could he stop hert He could hardly open the window and shout. He moved toward the draw ing 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 a way of escape, and as their hands met on the door handle she sank sobbing into his arms.
 Don't, don'tr' she whispered, hardly articulating, but he was doing nothing from which he could desist, for he could scarcely let her drop on the floor
 "Good God!' said Captain Jumpison again; twill no one come?' But the house was still, and he reflected that perhaps it was as we'll that no 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 sis ter through the muslin blinds; she was looking over the garden gate talking to some one. Would she change her mind and bring whoever it was in to tea2 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 Bun- borough-by-the-Sea and Dr. Coverdale
 "Chck" went the garden gate as Ger aldine passed into the sunny roadway.
 "Boohoo9 It was a very gentle one this time from somewhere near his watch pocket. ...-.s
 'Clickr' went the garden gate as it swung back on it's hinges.
 And Captain Ju1npison surrendered at discretion.-St. James Budget.