The Wreck of the South Pole and Other Strange Tales — page 136: what you’re looking at

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

Penelope. 129 made nearly fifteen years ago? You gave it to me, and now I want your ‘Penelope,’ to——” “What picture?” he asked; “not the one I drew of you upon the beach?” She handed it to him. , “And you have kept this all these years? Do you really care for it, little Helen? Do you ever think of those days now? You were but a child then, but I would give all my life to live that summer over again. I never thought I should be so mad as to say this. I have loved you ever since that happy summer when I brought you back to life. Then, when this fortune came to you, being proud, I went away. I could not bear the name of having been a fortune-hunter, and was afraid you would think, as others would, should I, a poor, penniless artist, ask you to be my wife—and I would not stand that! I went away hoping to be able to come to you without a shadow of doubt. I came back as poor as I went. I finished my picture, thinking it would be my renunciation, and when I saw you and Richland in the studio I knew it was so. But now I cannot help telling you I have loved you, and you will believe me now, will you not, little Helen?” “You told me once to be happy, and I obeyed you, be- cause you were with me. Why have you not trusted me long ago?” “Trust you? You do not mean, Helen, that you have loved me all these years? I dare not believe it! Others have wooed you—others far better than I é “Yes, dear, but Penelope waited for Ulysses!” Connicoool (EO)