The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-02-05

Vi ICinalhCu Dub a6l
voice was tremulous, and it was evident
that her playful sarcasm was but ak
sumed. "What novel have you been
reading?"
Perhaps 1 am eloquent replied
Jack. ut has been said that all men
deeply in earnest are so, and this is q
question that affects me to tho bottom Of
my soul. In da..5 Of old women married
men because they loved them, irrespec.
tive of their banking accounts Or pedi-
grees. If a man was honest, brave and
honorable, he was considered q match
for any 'ladye faire, and why should it
not be so now?"
Chimes have altered" faltered Ger
aldine, her usually pale face rosy red,
"and We have altered with Them"
"Not so," responded Jack. "Tho
times have changed, grant you, and in
many respects for the worse, but men
and women arc still the same. Indeed,
SO sure am | that this is the case that I
am about to stake my whole future hap
riness upon it. love you truly and de-
votedly. have never loved before and
shall never love again. Will you be
mine? Will you trust yourself and your
future happiness to me?''
sob, this is unkind and ungenerous,
cried Geraldine her eyes filling with
tears 'Yeu should not-you ought not
to-talk to me like this"
why not? Out Of the fullness Of the
heart the mouth speaketh, answered
the young man, and, leaning forward,
he possessed himself of one of her hands.
"Put on one side all disparities Of rank
or fortune and ask yourself the ques-
ton, DO I love him. Geraldine, dear
Geraldine, do not let the cruel laws of
society como between us and ruin the
happiness of two lovers. Speak, darling,
and tell me you love me-"
"Can you not see," cried the poor
girl, commencing to weep bitterly, sit
is unkind Of you to press me further?"
II want to hear it from your own
dear lips, persisted Jack. "Ionly want
you to say, 4 love you, Jack, and will
be your wife,"
"Oh, cannot"
"But you do love me?'' -.
eyes, but-oh, look, there is my
aunt" exclaimed Geraldine. "Please
put me On shore at once"
Jack looked round and discovered an
old lady watching them intently from
the towing path, and turning the boats
head he sculled in to the bank, saying
as he assisted Geraldine to land:
II shall call upon you in the morn
ing"
He did SO and was informed by the
servant that the family had gone away
early that day and had left no address,
as they were going to travel on the con-
tinent.
1t was the middle of the London sea.
son, and Lady Althorpe's rooms were
crowded with the youth, beauty and
elito of the aristocracy. Busting up to
Geraldine, the energetic little hostess
exclaimed:
Don't move away for q minute,
dear! want to introduce Lord John
Jasper to you-a most eligible parti,
my dear. So handsome, as rich as Cre.
sus and SO delightfully."- eccentric! Sets
up as q woman hater, you know, but if
no resists you, my dear, why, I shall
give him up altogether.
A minute after she had gone in search
of his lordship well known face
caught Geraldine's attention, aud the
next moment Jack, the boatman, was
standing in front of her.
"At last" he said in q low, deep
voice, while his Dyes seemed to pierce
her through and through.
"Oh, Jackp' cried Geraldine. "What
are you doing here?"
II have come to ask you to finish
what you were saying to me when your
aunt interrupted our conversation, re-.
piled Jack.
"Oh but isn't it rash of you'll" said
the poor girl, half inclined to cry.
Suppose any one was to recognize you?
Ishould never forgive myself if you got
into trouble through me. Do go away,
jack"
''Tell mo you love me, and l will
leave you at once if you wish it," an
swered Jack
"Oh, I dol dol" exclaimed Gerald
inc. II never knew how much until
we were parted, and now please go !!
away. Oh, here comes Lady Althorper'
"Ah, Lord John! l was going to in.
troduce you to Lady Geraldine, but it
seems as though you have met before"
rippled the genial hostess "Ah, you
sly things!'
ooh, jack" cried Geraldine when
they were once again alone in the
crowd, why did you do this?"
because wished to be loved for
myself alone, darling, " whispered Lord
Jasper. "And l had given up all hope
Of it, when Providence brought us to.
scther at dear old Twickenham ferry"
Princess.