Geoffrey's Victory by Mrs Georgie Sheldon — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

A MONSTROUS PROPOSITION. 17 there appeared to be a plentiful supply of both gold and paper money. She selected a bill and extended it to him. “T am not able to change that for you, madame,” he said, as he glanced at it and saw thatit was a hundred- dollar note. ‘‘[ do not wish it changed. Please takeit. Even then I shall feel that [Tam deeply indebted to you,” she re- turned, with an earnestness such as she had not betrayed before during the interview. Again the dusky red rushed to the doctor’s temples. “If itis not convenient for you to hand me just the amount of my bill, you can send me a check for the sum later,” he said, coldly. She bit her lips with mortification, and then tears rushed into her eyes. ‘‘Oh, it is perfectly convenient. Excuse me; I did not intend to offend you, but I am truly grateful for the kind attention you have bestowed upon me, and I shall always entertain friendly memories of you.’ Dr. Turner returned a courteous’ bow for the promise | of “friendly memories,” but remarked, briefly : “T have but done my duty as a physician, madame.” An angry flush raounted to her brow as she counted a golden eagles from her purse and laid them in hig and. ‘‘T know,” she said, “that you think I am a heartless monster in woman’s form; but you would not, [ am sure, if you could understand the strait that I am in.” Another bow was his only reply to this. He could not gainsay her statement regarding his es- timate of her character, and he would not presume to in- quire further into the mystery surrounding her. “T should be glad to retain your good opinion,” she re- sumed, with a slight, deprecating gesture, “for you have been a good friend to me in my necessity, but a stern fate compels me to forego that. I trust, however, that I shall see you again before I leave your city.” And she again extended her hand to him in farewell. “TE you need me—if I can serve you in any way, com- mand me,” Dr, Turner returned, politely, but with an em- phasis which plainly indicated that he should not volun- tarily seek her society. He bowed again, but barely touched the hand held out to him, and then went his way, wondering what mys- ferious circumstance, or combination of circumstances, Gomicbooo S (E@) =}