Weaker than a Woman — page 280: what you’re looking at

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

WEAKER THAN A WOMAN. Bete. Yi. talk to me—tell me all about Lilford. I shall never see it again.” Very soon Eve had told her all she pies and then, as Lilford—to her—meant the baby, she entered into a de- scription of his charms, Was she mistaken, or did she really see tears shining in the proud eyes? 7 “IT am. so glad you have a little son, Felix. I hope he will grow up lke you, as good, as true, and as noble.” Then Violet’s face flushed, and she bent her proud charm- ing head before them. ‘I may never see you again,” she said; “let me say out to you all the thoughts that are in my heart. Iam glad that you are married. I am glad, Eve, that Felix has found comfort in your love; love him always, love him truly, love him well; and—oh, beheve ~ me, Eve !—if you have little daughters, teach them that life. holds no treasure like love, that wealth, fame, titles, honors, are the shadow, love the substance.” “TIT shall be sure to teach them so, for I believe it,” re- marked sweet, wise Eve. “T was always weaker than a woman,” declared Violet, with a proud, sad smile. “I flung a treasure from me and lost it. Now I have everything that in my wildest dreams I ever longed for. I wear a coronet; the world lies at my feet, and with it all, when I wake sometimes my pillow is wet with tears, for my heart is lonely, and will be lonely until I die: Still I have made my own choice.” Felix saw a beautiful Sevres vase on the table near which she stood ; it held a spray of lilac. “You retain your love for the old home-flowers,” he said. She took the lilac from the vase, and held it to her lips. ‘IT keep them near me always,” she said, “ when they are in bloom. Do you remember the lilac bushes at home, Felix ?” Yes, he remembered them—and how he had suffered the bitterness of death while the wet branches waved above his head. Then she asked ‘some questions about their home and their home life. “You are very happy,” she said. “Tell me that; it will be the pleasantest thing I can hear.” “Yes,” replied Felix, “we are very happy.” She drew a costly ring from her finger. “Eve,” she said, “ wear this for my sake—it would grieve. me so much if you refused. Now put your arms around ~-my neck—you, the true wife of a true man—and kiss me, €oO cComicbooks ~ i ‘ . tS mn ‘ . : OM ea item <3 i]