Out of the Past — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

14 Out of the Past. “Benedict !” “It proves the existence of one more woman who still loved when she had ceased to be loved.” “T think you are unjust. Do you believe any one could cease to love her?” He turned a long look on the shroud- ed figure. “Perhaps no true man could forget. But show me one such. They are few!” “Do not forget where you are speaking,’ she whis- pered. “No. I speak in the presence of the wronged dead; in the presence of the child who will grow to manhood knowing neither father nor mother; who will always carry in his breast a bitter doubt.” “But [I will keep the rings—everything which can prove that he is the son of a true woman.” “Even if you prove it to the world,” the monk answered wearily, “can you arm the child against his secret fears? He will know, from his own manhood, that no true man could have left her.”’ She loosened the kerchief about her throat and sank into a chair. Presently she said, softly: “Is the world, then, so bad?” “Look there!” he cried sharply, pointing to the bed. COMIIEOOOKS (E(0)