Geoffrey's Victory by Mrs Georgie Sheldon — page 102: what you’re looking at

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

98 OUT OF COLLEGE AT LAST. One of the graduating class was singing as he entered, and for a few moments his attention was arrested by the young amateur who gave promise of becoming something more by and by. But presently his eyes began to wander about in search of Gladys, for she, of course, was the center of attraction for him. She was sitting near one end of the platform, at the head of her class, aud looking fairer than he had ever seen her, in her virgin white. Her dress was of finest Indian mull, sheer and fleecy as a summer cloud. It was very simple, yet daintily made, one gauzy thickness alone shading her snowy neck and rounded arms, which gleamed fair as alabaster be- neath. She wore no ornaments save a string of costly pearls around her neck and a bunch of snow-balls in her silken belt. — Her face was slightly flushed, her eyes glowed with ex- citement, and her lips were like polished coral. Ever and anon her eyes wandered wistfully over the sea of faces before her, as if in search of some one. All at once they rested upon 4% familiar face and form. She gave a slight start, her countenacne lighted for an in- stant, then she gave utterance toasigh of disappoint- ment, although a little smile curved her lips and she bowed in a friendly way to some one in the audience. She had seen Everet Mapleson, and at the first glance had thought he was Gecffrey, but catching his eager look of recognition, she realized her mistake, and felt almost angry with him for being there, while she feared that Geoffrey would not ccme at all. She did not catch sight of her lover until just a moment before she was ealled up to deliver the farewell address to class and faculty. Geoffrey saw that she v :s anxiously looking for him, and shifting his position he leaned forward and fixeda fond, magnetic look upon her. She seemed to feel it, and turning her glance in that direction, their eyes met; a rosy flood swept up to her brow, a brilliant smile wreathed her lips with one glad look of weleome, and the next moment she was standing before the audience, her whole being thrilling with de- light, and with the determination to do her best for Geof- frey’s sake. And she did; her effort was the crowning 2chievement wh 3 Comicdoookks.c@