Weaker than a Woman — page 74: what you’re looking at

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

WEAKER THAN A WOMAN. «65 did he leave until long after three. He talked of all kinds of things which he thought would interest Francis Haye. His least word was listened to with intense admiration by those children of Mammon. Then, after promising to send grapes and choice fruit, after offering all kinds of favors, he went away. Violet was compelled to go to the garden gate with him. He asked her, and Mrs. Haye answered for her. “What a very good-natured, friendly neighbor!” said Francis Haye, as he, with his wife, watched the baronet ~ mount his horse. ; 3 His wife turned to him witha face that quivered with agitation. : “He is worth forty thousand a year—forty thousand! If you are a wise man you will not say one word, Francis Haye—not one word ; if you do, you will spoil it all.” So when Violet returned, half dreading the debate that she felt sure must follow, there was no reference made to the baronet or his visit save that, in general terms, her. father expressed himself much gratified. The only percepti- ble difference was that the girl’s parents treated her with even greater deference and affection than before. That night—it was a lovely night in May—Violet, sitting with her parents, heard a signal that she knew well. There was a quick beating of her heart, a thrill ran through her veins—Felix was outside. _“ How the leaves tap the window!” said Mrs. Haye. “It _ is growing late; we will have the shutters closed.” Violet hastened away, ostensibly to see that her mother’s wishes were obeyed, but in reality to see if Felix were out- side. : pee How lovely the night was! The world lay calm and smiling under the light of the moon; the soft breeze brought the scent of the pink hawthorn in the hedges, of the clover in the meadows, of the violets in the woods. Violet went quietly out, and there, by the great lilac bushes, stood Felix. She had no time to remonstrate, for he had clasped her in his arms as though nothing but death could part them. . “Did I frighten you, sweet? I hope not—I have but five minutes to spare.” “Will you not come into the house, Felix?” she asked. “No. Ihave but five minutes, and I want to spend them with you. I ought not to have run over, but I could not help it—I could not rest. I want to know if you saw that man to-day, and whathe said to you. Yes, I know,” he GComicbooks