The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1898-02-25
why, the man is only q common

should they not be happy:'
ut is impossible!' exclaimed Gerald
inc. How can she, a lady by birth
and education, have anything in COM
mon with a fellow like that-a newer
of wood and a drawer Of water::'
Don't be too hard upon us, said
Jack half seriously. Remember that
Homer was a slave, Burns a plowman
and your favorite, Pope, only the son OF
& linen draper
"Ah. but genius Levels all thinss!'
replied Geraldine, with q smile.
There is something else which levels
all things observed the youny 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 a 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 ca,
posed
How eloquent you are this after
noon!' remarked Geraldine, but her
voice was tremulous, and it was e.;ident
that her playful sarcasm was but as
sumed. What novel have you been
reading:"'
perhaps l am eloquent, replied
Jack. lit has been said that all men
| lo>~1x> -, r,,o orN CO oy,1 fh1c sc n
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 a man was honest, brave and
honorable, he was considered a match
for any 'ladye faire, and why should it
not be so now::"
Times have altered. F" faltered Ger
aldine, her usually pale face a rosy red,
land we have altered with them"
Not so," responded Jack. 1.-THE
times have changed, l grant you, and III
many respects for the worse. but men
and ZONE are still the same. Indeed.
so sure am l that this is the case that l
am about to stake my whole future hap
piness upon it. I love you truly and de-
votedly. l have never loved before and
I shall never love again. Will you be
mine: Will you trust yourself and your
5 future happiness to me:'
"Oh. this is unkind and ungenerous. -
: cried Geraldine. her eyes filling with
| tears. You should not-you ought not
| to-talk TO me like this"
| why not: Out Of the fullness of the
l heart the mouth speaketh,' answered
the young man, and, leaning forward,
he possessed himself of one Of her hands.
Put Oh one side all disparities of rank
or fortune and ask yourself the ques-
i, ton, DO l love him. Geraldine, lear
Geraldine, do not let the cruel laws of
society come between US and ruin the
happiness OF two lovers. Speak, darling.
and tell me ycc love lue."
e Can you hot see,'' cried the poor
girl, commencing to weep bitterly, lit
e IS unkind Of YOU to press me further"
e Il want to hear it from your own
5 dear lips, persisted Jack. Il only want
you to say, L love you, Jack, and will
be your WIFE"
ooh, l cannot
but you 90 love me:
Yes, 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
9 head he sculled in to the bank, saying
k as he assisted Geraldine to land:
Il 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
e son., and Lady Althorpe's rooms Were
crowded with the youth, beauty and
d elite Of the aristocracy. Busting up tc
Geraldine, the energetic little hostess
exclaimed:
. Don't move away for a minute,
dear! want to introduce Lord John
Jasper to you-a most eligible parti,
my dear. So handsome, as rich as Cree
sus and SO delightfully."- eccentric! Sets
:. up as a woman Halter, you know, but il
he resists you, my dear, why, I shall
l give him up altogether"
y y minute after she had gone in search
Of his lordship a well known face
caught Geraldine's attention, and the
next moment Jack, the boatman, was
5 standing in front of her.
k "At last"' he said in a low, deep
voice, while his eyes seemed to pierce
her through and through.
l "Oh, JACKIE cried Geraldine. "What
are you doing here:"
+ II have come to ask you to finish
F: what you We're saying to me when your
l aunt interrupted our conversation, re-
! piled Jack.
sob, but isn't it rash of YOU'D said
| the poor girl, half inclined to cry.
Suppose any one was to recognize you:
! I should never forgive myself if you got
into trouble through ne. Do go away,
Jack"