Weaker than a Woman — page 222: what you’re looking at

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

WEAKER THAN A WOMAN. . 913 She was quite silent for many minutes after he had finished ; it was Marian who talked to him and made him > =, recite for them again and again. The sun had set, the crimson and gold had faded from the water, a gray shade had fallen over it—all was quiet, calm, peaceful. Lady Chevenix rested her head against the enarled trunk of an old tree; the peace and repose were novel to her. Presently a slight sound in the distance - startled her. “ 'W hat is that?” she said. ‘©¢ Tt was only the deer that were feeding In a herd on the clover grass.’ ” sang Marian, and Felix looked up with a smile. “T know that, ~ he said. ‘“ You are quoting from a ballad called ‘Hush.’ Strange to say, I was thinking of it a short time since. The words were running through my brain.” “They have run through my heart,” remarked Marian, “often and often. I am matter-of-fact myself, but that song always brings tears to my eyes. Repeat it for us, Mr. Lonsdale.” “Twill. There is something in the time that suits the words. The light is dying in the sky, the sun has set, the flowers are sleeping, the wood-pigeons are silent, the air is full of dreams. «< «T can scarcely hear,” she murmured, ‘For my heart beats loud and fast ; But surely, in the far, far distance, I can hear a sound at last? ‘‘It is only the reapers singing - As they carry home their sheaves, And the evening breeze has risen, And rustles the dying leaves.” s¢s¢Tisten! There are voices talking !” Calmly still she strove to speak, Yet her voice grew faint and trembling, And the red flushed in her cheek. ‘* It is only the children playing, Below, now their work is done, And they laugh that their eyes are dazzled By the rays of the setting sun,” ‘© «Painter grew her voice, and weaker, As with anxious eyes she cried— ‘‘ Down the avenue of chestnuts I can hear a horseman ride !” ‘It was only the deer that were feeding In a herd on the clover grass ; Comicboo (@) <S (ele)