Weaker than a Woman — page 29: what you’re looking at

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

ct > i a » i » a wede 4-4 ans we sal J ~ . -~ — « — - . o bel 20 WEAKER THAN A WOMAN. honorable to keep silence; besides, Iam so proud of the treasure I have won that I could not be silent if I would.” They went back to the Limes; tea was ready in one of the sunny little rooms that looked into the garden, and Mrs. Haye sat waiting for her daughter. She smiled as the beautiful girl entered with her lover. ‘IT am not surprised,” she said. “I thought it was so. Violet is two hours later than she intended to be, and then does not return alone. That is like Violet.” Later on-in the evening Felix told his love-story to Vio- let’s parents, who were pleased with it—pleased, but not elated. Violet was very lovely; she belonged to the gentry. Her beauty ought to have done much for her; still Felix would certainly one day be the leading lawyer in Lilford, and the legacy had quite altered matters. But for that and the partnership, Mr. Haye would not have been willing for his daughter to engage herself to Felix Lonsdale; however, in that country spot he was now a good match. They talked for some time about the pros-. pects of business, about the cottage orne, about Lilford, and then Felix knew that it was time for him to go. Violet went with him to the garden gate. How many times he had blessed that garden gate! <A great lilac bush shaded it, and some of the happiest hours of his life had been spent there. The moon was shining and the flowers were steeped in glittering dew as the lovers walked through the garden. It was a long good-night. They stood under the sweet-smelling lilac, and the moonlight seemed to soften Violet’s heart just as it softened the beauty of her marvelous face. Violet,” said her lover, “ will you give me one kiss? It is customary at all betrothals, and this has been our be- trothal day.’’ She raised her fair face to his in the moonlight, and he kissed the sweet lips. “Remember,” she told him, “I have not quite promised.” ‘‘T have been thinking of your wedding-dress, Violet,” he said; “it shall be of white silk. My darling, you will be such a beautiful bride that every one who sees you will want to take you from me.” The lilac leaves were wet with dew, and the lovers laughed as the dew-drops fell over them. They laughed as — the night wind swept over the sleeping flowers—as the great boughs swayed and murmured. All the world seemed so fair, Then Felix found thatit was growing Oe a comicbooks co