Geoffrey's Victory by Mrs Georgie Sheldon — page 168: what you’re looking at

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

164 A THRILLING STORY. Geoffrey pitied him sincerely, while at the same timea feeling of horror crept over him as he beyan to realize that the man had been making a confession of murder. Had he killed Margery, and attempted his life also? And was that the secret of his having been abandoned in the great city of New York? He was burning with eagerness to learn all the truth. ‘IT do not wish to pain you, Jack,” he said, “but L want you to tell me all there is to tell. Begin at the beginning, here in this peaceful spot, where no one will come to dis- turb us, and ease your conscience of its burden.’ Jack looked up quickly as he referred to that sacred inclosure. “How came ye to know where to find yer mother’s grave?” he asked. Geoffrey’s heart bounded within him at this question. “Annie” had been his mother, then. It was a great thing to have that point settled, and he felt sure now that the rest would al! be explained. “Never mind that just now, Jack,” he replied, with what calmness he could assume; ‘‘when you have told me all your story I will answer any question you may ask.” “Vell not give me over to the officers, lad?” the man pleaded, pitifully. “No, Jack, you need have no fear of me; as far as I am concerned, you may go free for the rest of your life; if you have wronged any one else, you will have to settle that with yourown conscience. All] Task of yous to tell me the history of my early life, and what you know regarding my father and mother.” “Thank ve, Master Geoffrey,” returned Jack, humbly. “T don’t deserve that ve should be so considerate. I’ve had to skulk and hide tor more’n twenty vears, and though there ain’é much in the world that | care to live for, vet a feller don’t exactly like the idee of bein’ put out of it afore his time. T'll tell ve all I know about ver- self and your folks, and welcome.” “Come over ta vonder loge and let us sit down,” Geoffrey said, indicating a fallen tree, but he was very white, and felt weak and trembling as he moved toward it. At last he believed the mystery of his life was to be revealed. “Teame here to work in the mines about a year afore Captain Dale—that’s your dad—bought his claim,” Jack comicloolks CO©