Geoffrey's Victory by Mrs Georgie Sheldon — page 105: what you’re looking at

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

A DISAPPOINTED LOVER. 101 “Yes, he has appeared at almost every place that we have visited the last two summers, and he was always in New York during the shorter recesses. I met him con- stantly in society, and I didn’t like it very well, either.” sb W hy i . ‘‘Because it rather annoyed me to receive his atten- tions,” Gladys confessed. “Then he has been attentive to you?” the young man asked, studying the face he loved very closely. ‘*Yes, quite so,” Gladys answered ; then noticing her lover’s grave, anxious look, she added: “ You do not like it, either, do you, Geoff?” ‘‘No, dearest, I do not,” Geoffrey replied, frankly, then continued : “ Pray, do not misunderstand me—do not sup- pose that I am disturbed by a petty feeling of jealousy, but there are some traits in Mapleson’s character which make me feel that he is not a proper companion or escort for you.” “Then, Geoff, I will never accept any attention again from him,” Gladys said, quickly. ‘‘He has never been very congenial to me in any way, and somehow I have al- ways resented his resemblance to you.” “Why should you?” “] do not know—I cannot account for the feeling, but I have always had it. It may be because I have detected something not quite true in him, and did not like to have him look like you on that account, while it almost seems sometimes as if he were usurping a place that rightfully belongs to you.” | ‘““That is impossible, dear, and I am afraid, a sort of morbid fancy,” Geoffrey replied, with gentle reproof. “T have never had such a thought, nor envied him either his high position in the world, or the immense wealth which I have heard will some time be his.” Gladys raised herself on tiptoe and softly touched her lips to her lover’s cheek. ‘‘How noble you are!” she whispered, ‘‘and I’d rather have iny Geoff without a penny !” “You will have your ‘rather,’ then,” the young man re- turned, laughing, although he fondly returned her caress, “for he hasn’t evena penny that is rightfully his own, But,” he added, drawing himself up resolutely, “ that shall not be said of me long—another year, I trust, will find me established in something that need not make me ashamed to take my place among other men.” Si O Gom Eboo Ss (E(0)