Geoffrey's Victory by Mrs Georgie Sheldon — page 95: what you’re looking at

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

i. Se” a. oa a i ee ok ee s f. A? @ " a = ee ' A DECLARATION. 91 have remained in the same house with you and know that I must never, by either word or look, reveal the love J bear you. even happy in the prospect of our unlon. “Yes, I am sure, Gevoiirey. But all thatis past. Uncle August seems You love ne— you are sure you love me well enough, Gladys, to be- come my wife, with no regret for—anything?” he pleaded, bending to look searchingly into her eyes. I have never tried to analyze the affection which I have always cherished for you, but I know, now, thatit has not been of that calm nature which a sister would feel for her brother. been happier at your coming, I have been lonely and have drooped whenever you went from home, andi can un- derstand now why it has been so,” Gladys answered, drop- ping her head again upon her lover’s breast. “My own darling! How wonderful it is that this price- less boon should be granted me tocrown all tne other good gifts that I have received,” he raid, in a thrilling voice; then added: “ But, Gladys, i must remind you, as, I have already reminded your father, that you will have Will that never to become the wife ofa naineless man. trouble you ?” I have “Surely, the name that my father has bestowed upon you will do very well, will it not?” “That was just what healso said, dear; but will the mystery that enshrouds me never make you uncomfort- able or unhappy ¢” ‘‘No; Lam well content with you just as you are.” “ But—have you never thought that there may be some story of wrong—of shame, even—connected ‘with my early life? If we should discover it to be so, some time in the future, would you not regret having given yourself to me. Gladys, dear as you are to me, I could better face a separation now, than such a regret by and by.” ‘Such a story of wrong could never harm you, dear Geoff. All the shame or guilt, if any, would rest upon others—the perpetrators of it. But I have no fear that you will ever be troubled by any such discovery. [ be- lieve you will yet learn your parentage and feel honored by it. However, it will never ehange or mar my love for you,” Gladys replied, with grave earnestness. Geofftrey’s face was luminous. “This noble spirit is just what I might have expected | from you, Gladys; yet, I confess, [am very sensitive over the mystery of my birth, aud I should never have been fully satisfied without knowing just how you feel ~*~ (EO) mii boo S) (E(0) =)