Geoffrey's Victory by Mrs Georgie Sheldon — page 64: what you’re looking at

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

60 ' MRS. BREVORT 8 RECEPTION. ancient style of dress, you would believe had been taken for ne; the resemblance is every bit as striking as that between Huntress and me.” “Has your father no brothers or sisters?” Ceae asked. Everet Mapleson footed surprised. He knew that she was trying to account in some way for Geotfrey Huntress’ likeness to hitnself; but, surely, he thought, she must know all about her cousin’s par- entage and their connections, and it was a little singular that she should be so persistent in her ele cl regarding the Mapleson genealogy. “No,” he replied; ‘‘my father was an only son. He had a sister, but she died while very young. The only other connections that I know anything about were an uncle who made my father his heir, and a distant cousin —a very eccentric sort of person. Both, however, are long since dead, and both died single. The Mapleson family was never a numerous one, and it is now almost extinct. I see, Miss Huntress,” he added, with a slight smile in which Gladys thought she detected something of scorn, “that you are trving to account for this resem- blance upon natural principles; but it is simply impos- sible that we are in any way connected. The fact can only be attributable to a strange freak of nature.” ‘ Possibly,” Gladys returned, thoughtfully, and yet she was impressed that there was more in it than Mr. Maple- son appeared willing to allow. She did not feel well enough acquainted with him to speak of the mystery surrounding Geoffrey’s parentage and his early life. lt is doubtful if she would have told him, under any circumstances, because of Geoffrey’s sensitiveness upon the subject, still she was strangely impressed by their resemblance. The evening was one otf keen enjoyment to Everet Mapleson, and when at length Gladys withdrew with her friends, he accompanied her to the carriage and assisted her to enter. “T have rarely enjoyed a pleasanter evening, Miss Huntress, and I hope we shall ineet again before I leave the city,” he said, as he handed her the extra wrap which hung over his arm and stood a moment beside the car- riage door. “Then come and call upon us, Mr. Mapleson; the young ladies will be together for a few days longer,” said Mrs. Loring, who had overheard this remark; and having COMnmlcloOolkS.G