Geoffrey's Victory by Mrs Georgie Sheldon — page 79: what you’re looking at

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

‘FIRST IN TIME, FIRST BY R1GHT!” 75 “Do you think it pays to get a reputation for good | sholarship?” he asked. ‘‘Perhaps not the reputation alone, but the knowl- — edge pavs. If I was a college boy I believe I should strive to attain the top round of the ladder.” “Tt is not every one who ¢an do that.” “True, but every one can at least try to excel, and even if one does not, he has the satisfaction of knowing that he has done his best.” ‘‘Are you going to be first in your class at Vassar, Miss Huntress?” Everet Mapleson asked, studying her eager face earnestly. Gladys flushed again, and laughed. ‘“‘T am doing my utmost, Mr. Mapleson, to come forth from my school an honor to my class; and Geoffrey is bending all his energies toward the same object; indeed, _I surmise that he is trying to gain a year, by his being so zealous for study during the recesses.” A startled look shot into Everet Mapleson’s eyes. If Geoffrey Huntress did gain a year he would gradu- ate at the same time with himself, and the thought was anything but pleasant to him. ‘‘He will have to be very smart to do that,” he said, with a skeptical curve of his lips. ‘“‘Geoffrey is smart; he has achieved wonders during the last few®years, and I predict for him a brilliant col- — lege career. I am very proud of him.” The beautiful girl’s face glowed, and her eyes gleamed as she said this, while her glance rested more fondly than she was aware, on the manly form that was stand- ing beside his hostess, quietly conversing with her while they watched the dancers. Her companion was so nettled by this, that for a mo- ment he conld not control his voice to reply. ‘“‘[ should judge that the young man must be a prodigy,” he said, at length, with a covert sneer. Gladys lifted her eyes searchingly to his face. His tone was not pleasant to her, but he looked as in- nocent as if he had spoken in all sincerity. ‘“Why !” she said, after a moment’s thought, ‘if Geof- frey does gain a year he will take his degree when you take yours !” a ‘Ves, 99 A little ripple of roguish laughter issued from the fair | girl’s red lips. “Then let me warn you,” ske said, with a merry glance, =} GoOmIiGcbDoo S (E(0)