Weaker than a Woman — page 51: what you’re looking at

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

42 | WEAKER THAN A WOMAN, “T have been heart-broken, Eve,” he said. “I did not care to get well.” | ‘You will live it down,” she returned, gently ; “and those who have doubted you will be the first to feel ashamed of their injustice.” “You have never doubted me, Eve ?” “Oh, never! Howcould I? I should doubt all the world first.’ Then she arose from her chair and knelt down by his side; she took both his hands—such thin, worn hands !— in hers, and held them there. “I came to say something to you, Mr. Lonsdale,” said she; “and now that 1am here I have hardly the courage. Promise not to be angry with me.” “TI could not be if I tried, dear child,” he replied. Her face flushed, and the light deepened in her eyes. “You have known me all my life,” she said—“ have you not ?—ever since I came here, a little friendless child.” “ Yes, 16 1S true, Eve.” ‘And you have always been kind to me. I have come to you in a score of childish troubles, and you were always kind tome. Now I want you to let me repay you for all your kindness.” She spoke so quickly that he could not interrupt her. “I want to help you. You know that I have money, plenty of money, all lying idle—for I want none, and Aunt Jane will not touch it. Do accept it; let me give it to you. I shall never want it, for I shall never marry. Do take it; you would make me happier than any one in the wide world if you would. I am so grieved and so sorry that I would go out and work for you if you would let me. If you will not accept it, borrow it until you can repay me. ~ Do not refuse me—let me help you.” Felix had come nearer to her, listening in wonder to the passionate words. Mr. Lonsdale drew the fair head down near to him. ‘So you would give me all your fortune, Kve?” There was a glad light in her eyes when she raised them to his. | “T would—double my fortune if I had it,” she replied. “And why, Eve—tell me why you would be so good to me ?”’ The rich crimson flush burned her fair face; she knew why, but she could not tell him. “ Because I love you all, and you are my dearest friends,” she replied. “ And you would give it to me all without reserve, Eve?” co