The Wreck of the South Pole and Other Strange Tales — page 176: what you’re looking at

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

Written in Water. 169 mind, and had he given her a little encouragement, shown her somewhat of his great heart, she would soon have loved him so passionately that she could have given up her life for him or for his love. Women love strength, whether it be of body or intel- lect, passion or will. Gracie was attracted to Gerald on account of his strength in intellect and will. Had he only showed her how strong he could be in love, also, he might then have won the girl’s heart, and the ending of this story might have been different. Poor man! that he did not know a woman’s heart may be won in many ways, and that she quickly learns to reverence strength of mind as much as streneth of body. But he repulsed her. Why, I cannot say. But my opinion is that he thought she could not love such a physical wreck as he. If he had only known that he might have won her, and that she would have followed him to the ends of the world and have been happy only to be with him! But he did not know it. So, crossed and repelled by her guardian, she became the daily companion of John Brent. Let me correct a mistake which my use of the word servant has doubtless led the reader into. John Brent was not a servant, as we use the term in America. He was a man who belonged with the homestead. His father had been there before him, and his grandfather before his father. He had lived there all his life, and had known and expected to know no other home. He served, but not as a servant, a E@ORAIEOOOKS (SO)