Weaker than a Woman — page 270: what you’re looking at

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

WEAKER THAN A WOMAN. 261 “Tt is a true test of love. You had to choose once be- fore between me and money—then you chose money. I place the two before you again—which will you choose? You can not plead youth, or ignorance, or vanity, or even undue influence now. You have learned many things, and Isay this is a true test of love. But, Violet, itis not fair to ask you to decide hurriedly—take time over it. Itis much to ask, I know; but I offer something better in re- turn—and you shall never repent the sacrifice.” ‘“ All the world would laugh at me,” she said. “'The world would say you had given up all for love. But, Violet, mind, I do not wish to persuade you. I leave the decision to yourself. For the second time in your life you have to choose between love and money. Ponder it, and tell me in a few days what you have decided upon.” She looked up at him wistfully. “Is that your final decision, Felix ?” she asked. “Yes; I cannot change it, Violet. Most men make an idol of something; my idol is self-respect,” he replied. ‘Could you not make an idol of me?” she whispered. “Yes, if you are not framed in a golden setting,” he an- swered. She was silent then for a few minutes, while the firelight played over her golden hair, and he drew the long shining tresses through his fingers. She laid her head on his breast and closed her eyes. ‘‘Let me rest here for a few minutes,” she said; “here only have I ever found rest on earth.” When she raised her eyes to his they were wet with tears. ‘* Felix,” she said, “I must go now; it 1s growing late. Will you kiss me before I go?” He bent down and kissed the lovely. face—not once, but many times. Then she arose to quit the room. He remem- bered long afterward how she kept her eyes fixed on his face until she reached the door. “Good-by, Felix,” she said, and the very tone of her voice was like a sigh. He had kept himself outwardly very calm during the interview. Violet did not know what a terrible tempest was raging within him. He threw aside paper and pen when the door was closed. “TI can write no more,” he said. His heart beat fast and his brain seemed to be on fire— every pulse throbbed wildly, every nerve was strained, | Eomichbooks (Glo) Mm