Geoffrey's Victory by Mrs Georgie Sheldon — page 104: what you’re looking at

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

100 A DISAPPOINTED LOVER, ween them, and then for an instant Gladys was folded close to her lover’s breast in a fond embrace. “Oh, Geoff, I thought you had not come; I never gota glimpse of you until almost the last minute, and was so disappointed that I was about ready. to break down,” Gladys said, with a little nervous shiver, as she remem- bered how nearly her courage had failed her. “fT was late, dear, and I knew vou would feel it; but I do not believe you would have failed even if you had not seen me at ali,” he answered, as he fondly smoothed back the clustering rings of hair from her throbbing temples. “No, L do not think I should, really; but I could not have done as well; it was like a sudden inspiration to me when I found you at last.” “Then I am thankful I was here, dear, for your effort was the grand event of the day,” Geoffrey said, smiling. “You are very good to say so, Geoff,” Gladys replied, modestly. ‘“Very good to sav so,” he repeated, laughing. ‘“ Why should I not say it, when your praises are on every lip, and a pin might have been heard, if one had dropped, while you were addressing the faculty and bidding your classmates farewell. Poor girls! the crystal drops were plentiful over the thought of parting.” “Ttisa little hard to leave school, Geoff, and all the pleasant friends one has made; don’t you think so?” “Perhaps,” he replied. “{f presume it is harder for you than it will be for me, because Iam so eager to makea place for myself in the world, and a nest for somebody else.” | Gladvs blushed at this reference to coming events. “Did I not see Mapleson here?” Geoffrey asked, after a mpment. “Yes; and at first I thought he was you; but I soon discovered my mistake.” ‘‘IT wonder what he is here for?” mused the young lover. “To seeme graduate, of course,” Gladys responded, roguishly. “Did you invite him ?”? “No. A long time ago he asked me to exchange tickets with bim for commencement, and I think he has spoken of it every time that we have met since; so, of course, I could hardly help sending him one.” ‘“You have seen a good deal of him during the last two years, haven’t you, Gladys?” comicloooks.€