Geoffrey's Victory by Mrs Georgie Sheldon — page 160: what you’re looking at

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

156. GEOFFREY PICKS UP A THREAD. He did not speak, or even smile, as he came up to her, but quietly drew her hand through his arm, led her within the house, and to a small reception-room, carefully shut- ting the door behind them. Then he turned again and faced her. ‘“Gladys,” he said, in a hollow, unnatural tone, “it is as I feared——” “ Geoffrey !” she cried, in a shocked voice, all her own bright color fading. “The worst is true,” he concluded, not heeding her interruption. “Wave you seen him t—did he tell you so?” she asked. “No, I have not seen him.: “Then how do you know ¢” “He has fled.” “*Hled?” “Yes. I wentto the ‘United States’ at five this after- noon. I valled a servant to show me the way to room number forty-five, and was told that the gentleman who. had occupied it left at twelve to-day.” ‘“How very strange!” said Gladys, astonished. “No, it is not strange,” Geoffrey returned, bitterly ; “the man is a miserable coward, and he dare not meet e; his history is doubtless one of shame and wrong—he knew that I would force it from him, and he fears to remain and confess it. But, Gladys, I shall find him yet —some day I will compel him to face me and own the truth. I will hunt him down! he shall not escape me!” “Oh, Geoffrey, pray do not let it trouble you so—there may have been some other reason for his going,” said the young girl, laying her hand sympathetically on his arm. “No—I tell yon he was afraid to meet me, and his guilt is evidentin his flight; he never would haverun away like this, if there had been no guilty secret in his life which he was anxious to conceal from me.” “Did you learn his name?” Gladys inquired. A deep flush arose to Geoffrey’s brow, and he gave a start of annovance. “No,” he said, ‘IT was so wretched and angiy that I never thought toask his name. When the servant told me he was gone, T turned on mv heel and walked out of the house and have heen walking ever since, trying to recover my composure.” ‘That was an oversight, dear,” said his betrothed, gent- ly ; “you should have secured his name and address.” comiclooolks CO