Geoffrey's Victory by Mrs Georgie Sheldon — page 101: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

OUT OF COLLEGE AT LAST. —~:«O97 Geoffrey,” but checked herself and called him a4 friend. “You need not have corrected yourself,” replied the professor, with a twinkle of hiseyes. “If the ‘friend’ is your brotker you should not allow your modesty to pre- vent your acknowledging it.” Gladys’ eyes drooped half guiltily at this. She could not explain that Geoffrey was not her broth- er, but something far dearer, and yet her sense of truth: fulness made her shrink from giving a wrong impression, “You will be able to send him as pleasant tidings in re- turn, will you not? You have also been appointed vale- dictorian, I believe?” the gentleman continued. “ Yoa, sir.” “Tam almost inclined to think that two valedictorians out of one household are more than a fair allowance, espe- cially for one year; your parents must be very proud over two such brilliant children. Are there any more of you to keep up the credit of the family ?” the principal in- quired, laughing. “No, sir, Geoffrey and I are all there are,” Gladys an- swered, and then tripped away to reply to Gecffrey’s tel- egram with a jubilant letter. ‘T am delighted with you, dear Geoff,” she wrote. ‘Your telegram has made me the happiest girl at Vassar, though my heart failed mea trifle before I opened it, fearing that it might contain bad news. How proud I am of you! for you have climbed mountains of difficulties te attain yonr goal. ‘‘Now let me whisper a little bit of news in yourear. I have won my spurs, too —if I may be allowed to use that expression—and as [ shall graduate a few davs before yon take your degree, can’t you come to Vassar to henor the oceasion with your presence? Papa and mamma will be here, but the day will not be complete without you.” Geoffrev replied that nothing should keep him away; that he would be with her bright and early on commence- ment day. but would have toreturn to New Haven at three in the afternoon, as he still had much to do to pre- pare for the final exercises of his own class. But notwithstanding his promise, the train on which he left New Haven was delayed two hours, and he did not arrive af Vassar until after the exercises were opened, ‘and so had no opportunity to see Gladys before, as he in- tended todo. . - > An usher led him into the crowded room. but the only available seat was far in the rear, and so situated that he could scarcely see or be seen. Gomicbookssco |