Richard Forrest, Bachelor — page 117: what you’re looking at

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

108 THE RESCUE. you call, your first opportunity, that I may do so? I will be at home any afternoon this week except Saturday. **Sincerely, ‘GERTRUDE M. CLAYTON.”’ ‘‘Monday.”’ A wild joy, which seemed to numb all his faculties, took possession of Arthur as he read these few scribbled words. It was like an electric shock. He could scarcely believe his own eyes. _ This olive branch could mean but one thing—she would yet be his. Then came the chilling reaction; why should a mere commonplace note signify anything after all? Was it not natural enough that she should wish to express her eratitude to poor Bebee’s rescuer in somewhat stronger terms than she had been able to do on the crowded street? And he sobered down at this reflection. But a second read- ing elated him once more. What necessity was there for anything further to be said on the subject between them, particularly under the circumstances? She had thanked him on the spot quite sufficiently for so slight a service. No, she desired to see him again; he could not persuade himself otherwise. The intoxication of the first realization wearing off, he began to consider. When should he go? This was Tuesday; any day but Saturday, she had sug- gested. Should he name Wednesday? He might seem too anxious, and even at this moment he could not pocket his pride altogether. Friday, then? It would be an age until that day; he would compromise and make it Thursday, although he had already made a partial engagement for that afternoon. So he wrote her to that effect. Gomichbooks.co im