Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-01-27

"Why. the man is ouIv a common

should they not be happy?"
1t is impossible!" exclaimed Gerald
inc. tHow can she, lady by birth
and education, have anything in COM
mon with fellow like that.-a hewGr
of wood and drawer Of water?"
Don't be too hard upon us. !" said
Jack half seriously. Remember that
Homer was slave, Burns a plowman
and your favorite, Pope, only the son of
linen draper. y
Ab, but genius levels all thingsp'
replied Geraldine, with smile.
There is something else which levels
all things, 2 observed the young boat
man.
'What is that?''
Love, answered Jack, that glori-
GUS feeling which is the true philoso-
piers stone, which gilds the road of
life, no matter how rough it may be;
makes dry crust with the object of
ones affection more acceptable than a
feast without her, and which sweeps
away all distinctions of rank, as the
running water washes away the dull
earth and leaves the grains of gold ex-
posed. :"
How eloquent you are this after
noonl' remarked Geraldine, but her
voice was tremulous. and it was evident
that her playful sarcasm was but as
sumed. "What novel have you been
reading?"
''Perhaps | am eloquent, replied
Jack. 'sIt has been said that all men
deeply in earnest are so, and this is a
question that affects me to the bottom of
my soul. In days of old women married
men because they loved them, irrespec-
tive of their banking accounts or pedi-
grees. If man was honest brave and
honorable, he was considered match
for any ladye faire, and why should it
not be so now?"
"Times have altered, I" faltered Ger
aldine, her usually pale face rosy red,
'tand we have altered with them. 2
sNot so, responded Jack ssThe
times have changed, grant you, and in
many respects for the worse, but men
and women are still the same. Indeed,
SO sure am that this is the case that
am about to stake my whole future hap
piness upon it, l 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 1ne?''
"Oh, this is unkind and ungenerous,
cried Geraldine. her eyes filing with
tears. "You 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-
tion, DO I love him?' Geraldine, dear
Geraldine, do not let the cruel laws of
society come 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. it
is unkind of you to press me further?''
81 want to hear it from your own
dear lips, persisted Jack. 81 only want
you to say, 4 love you, Jack, and will
be your wife. .
"Oh, cannot. y
'But you do love me?''
eyes, but-oh, look, thero 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 s
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
elite of the aristocracy. Bustling up to
Geraldine, the energetic little hostess
exclaimed
Don't move away for minute,
dearl want to introduce Lord John
Jasper to you-a most eligible parti,
my dear. So handsome, as rich as Gree
sus and SO delightfully."- eccentrici Sets
up as a woman hater, you know, but if
he resists you, my dear, why, shall
give him up altogether. =
A minute after she had gone in search
Of his lordship we'll known face
caught Geraldine's attention, and the
next moment Jack, the boatman, was
standing i'll front Of her.
At lastt' he said in low, deep
voice, while his eyes seemed to pierce
her through and through
"Oh, Jackp' cried Geraldine. "What
are you doing here?''
81 have come to ask you to finish
what you were saying to me when your
aunt interrupted our conversation, re-
piled Jack
"Oh, but ism 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. y
"Tell me you love me, and will
leave you at once if you wish it, !" an
swered Jack.
"Oh. dol dop' exclaimed Gerald
inc. II never knew how much until
we were parted, and now please go
away. Oh, here comes Lady Althorpel'
"Ah, Lord Johni | 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 thingslo
ooh, Jack, cried Geraldine when
they were once again alone in the
crowd, "why did you do this?''
Because l wished to be loved for
myself alone, darling, whispered Lord
Jasper. And had given up all hope
of it, when Providence brought MS To-
gether at dear old Twickenham ferry. =