Richard Forrest, Bachelor — page 92: what you’re looking at

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

“IT CANNOT MARKY YOU.” 83 ‘This makes my fifteenth call,’’ he returned, gravely. ‘Really? Well, I trust you may make fifteen more. Papa has taken quite a fancy to you, you know.’’ “T’m immensely flattered, I assure you, but whether I continue to come here depends upon you, however.’? — ‘‘Upon me?”’ She turned her merry eyes upon him defiantly. “Upon you,’’ he repeated, desperately, ‘‘and I believe you know what I’m about to say, Gertrude.’’ She put up her hand with a little gesture, but he neither could not or would not see it. He leaned over, and taking both of her hands in his own, looked straight into her face, compelling her eyes to meet his. ‘‘Ves,’’ he continued, calmly, ‘‘I do not believe you will be astonished when I tell you that I think you are the dear- est, sweetest woman I ever met, and that I love you with all my heart.’’ The rich blood dyed her face and neck, and she struggled. to release her hands. “Mr, Eldridge——’’ she began, her whole expression changing. ‘‘And you,’’ he pursued, ‘‘are you wholly indifferent to me? May I hope——’’ ‘‘No, do not say it,’’ she said, quietly, drawing herself away and rising to her feet. ‘‘I know what you would say, Mr. Eldridge, and I wish to spare you the pain of a re- fusal.’’ ‘©A refusal?’’? he murmured, hoarsely. ‘‘You will not marry me?’’ “T cannot marry you,’’ she answered, in a low, firm voice. Gomichbookssco im