Geoffrey's Victory by Mrs Georgie Sheldon — page 33: what you’re looking at

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

A CHANGE OF RESIDENCE AND AN ADVENTURE. 29 “How strangely he appears!” Gladys exclaimed, re- garding him curiously. “ He do, indeed, iniss. The poor chap is an idiot, or I’m much mistaken.” ‘*An idiot! Oh, how dreadful! Poor boy,” cried Glalys, pityingly. Then she added, soothingly: “Never mind your hat, papa shall buy you another.” The young stranger nodded contentedly, as if he under- stood ner, while his great blue eyes were fixed earnestly and confidingiy on her face. “Whatis your name and where do you live?” contin- ued the young girl, wondering what she should do with him now that she had rescued him from his persecutors, if he could not tell where he belonged. The only answer to this query was a senseless smile, accompanied by a low crooning sound of contentment. “Oh, dear! can’t you talk at all? What is your name? you must tell me or I shall not know where to take you,” said Gladys, beginning to look greatly disturbed, and wondering what would be the result of thig str ange ad- venture. ‘The boy reached out a white, slender hand and touched the girl caressingly on the cheek, at the same time mak- ing a sound indicative of pleasure and admiration, but uttering no intelligible word. It was evident that he was not only simple-minded, but that there must be some paralysis of the vocal organs as well, that prevented his talking. A flush sprang to the young girl’s face, and a strange thrill pervaded her at the touch of those delicate fingers, ‘‘Heis the most beautiful boy I ever saw,” she said, “but, oh! how dreadful for him not to know anything! I wonder whe he is, John!” “I’m sureI can’t say, miss,” repleid the man, looking perplexed and somewhat annoyed. “ How old do you think he ean be?” John gave a long look at the young stranger. ‘‘He’s small of his age, miss, but I reckon he must be older than yourself.” “Older thanI! Oh! Ido not think that can be possi- ble,” Gladys exclaimed, attentively studying the strangely attractive yet vacant countenance before her. ‘““What shall we do with him, John?” she inquired, after a moment of thoughtful silence. “TI think we’d best take him straight to the office, tell the master all about him, and he’ll settle the matter.” GOMmIiGcoDoo S (E(0) =}