Geoffrey's Victory by Mrs Georgie Sheldon — page 81: what you’re looking at

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

“ FIRST IN TIME, FIRST BY RIGHT!” 17 Everest Mapleson was glad that supper was announced just at that moment, which saved him the necessity of re- plying. 9 Hage Eee The mere thought of sharing any honors with his rival made him white with anger, and her praise of him had driven him nearly frantic. : He saw Geoffrey approaching them, and surmised that he contemplated taking Gladys in to supper. He resolved that he should not; so, turning to her with a smile, as he laid her hand upon his arm, he re- marked : “That is no doubt a pleasing announcement to every- body. Shall we follow the hungry crowd ?” ‘Thanks; but I see Geoffrey coming for me; pray find some. one else, Mr. Mapleson; I have already ccecupied more of your time and attention this evening than I ought,” the fair girl responded. ‘*T could not bestow if more acceptably to myself any- where else,” he replied, ina low, earnest tone, and de taining the hand which she would have withdrawn from his arm. | At that instant Geoffrey bowed before them. “Excuse me for interrupting your chat,” he said, courteously; ‘‘but are you ready to go into supper, Gladys?” “Excuse me, Huntress,” young Mapleson interposed be- fore Gladys could reply, and bestowing a haughty. glance upon his rival, ‘‘but I must claim the privilege of taking Miss Huntress in by virtue of the old saw ‘prior tempore, prior jure’—‘ first in time, first by right.” Geoffrey colored more at his tone and look than at his words, but returned, with a genial smile: ‘That willapnly to my case exactly, Mr. Mapleson, since I secured Miss Huntress’ promise, more than an hour ago, that she would give me the privilege you claim.” ‘*But possession is nine points in law, Miss Huntress,” - Everet, addressing Gladys, and ignoring Geoffrey en- tirely. ‘‘Really, Mr. Mapleson, you will have to excuse me. I have given my promise, as Geoffrey says, and since he leaves for New Haven again to-morrow morning, I must sav all I have to say to him to-night.” Everet Mapleson instantly released her, with a low — bow of acquiescence. ‘Your wish is sufficient,” he said, with significant em- phasis, and he turned abruptly away to seek some one GoOmicbodoo S (E(0) =)