Geoffrey's Victory by Mrs Georgie Sheldon — page 87: what you’re looking at

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

A CONFESSION. §3 £ His eyes began to twinkle as he regarded the handsom fellow, sitting there before him with downcast eyes and troubled countenance, and yet he knew that the struggle which had driven him to this confession must have been a severe one, and he appreciated, too, the sense of honor and the nobility which had also prompted it. “ Have you told Gladys anything of this?” he asked. “No, sir; it was my duty to conmie to you first, for your approval or rejection of my suit. I could not forget that — Iam a nameless waif, whom your goodness alone has re- deemed from a blighted life. I could not forget, either, the fact, that when I shali have finished my education I shall have nothing to offer her whom I love, save my heart, an empty hand, and a name thatis mine only by adoption.” Mr. Huntress was touched by his frankness and honor. “T ean vouch for the heart, Geoff,” he said; “it is — large, and generous, and noble. Empty hands are no dis- grace if they are honest and willing hands, backed by energy and a resolute spirit, both of which I know you possess. As for the naine, it is above reproach, but not more so than the manly fellow upon whom I have be- stowed it, and of whom I am very proud; I know he will never dishonor it.” “Thank you, Unele August,” Geoffrey replied, with a suspicious tremor in his voice; “but heart, hands, name, and even life itself will not amount to much with me if I am denied the love I crave—the world would be nothing to me without Gladys.” “Tt would be rather dark to all of us without her; she has been the light of our home and the pride of our hearts for a good many years; and, Geoff, to speak the truth, I believe nothing would please me better than to have you two marry, if you love each other well enough.” Geoffrey looked up with a transfigured face. ‘‘Oh, Uncle August, do you mean that?” he cried. “Of course I mean it, or I should not have said it, Your confession, although it startled me a trifle at first, as it would any father, to be asked to give away his only child, was not wholly unanticipated, for I have not been blind during the last few years, and it has proved your nobility better than almost anything else could-have done, and if youcan win Gladys, I shall give her to you with my sincere blessing. You have grown very dear to me, Geoff. I have been building great hopes upon you ever since I adopted you as my son, and now nothing would ‘EGom Ehboo S ( 3