The Wreck of the South Pole and Other Strange Tales — page 179: what you’re looking at

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

172 Written in Water. had won the woman whom he loved, and he did not like to acknowledge to the victor that he was weak. Why, was he not the superior of all whom he had met in the mental arena? Was not his intellect as keen as man’s in- tellect ever becomes? And had he not nearly completed the great work which would move the whole thinking world? Was he to count himself inferior to a man who knew only how to manage a farm? Filled with these moody thoughts, after breakfast he essayed to walk out into the cold but to a stronger man bracing air, and went out upon the porch, which ran the full length of the front of the mansion. From it he stepped cautiously to the walk which led down, between ice and snow laden pine trees, to the road. Faithful John followed, quietly and unseen, with Gracie by his side. A rod from the house there stood a great native elm tree, which had grown close to the walk and had néver been removed, although all the other trees stood in straight rows, several feet farther back, on each side. It was the only obstruction in the great avenue from road to house. When Gerald reached this he felt his strength beginning to leave him and leaned against it to rest. A moment later, and a small drop of purple fell from his lips to his coat. He brushed it aside, but his limbs began to trem- ble. John’s love could no longer be restrained. He ran forward and placed his arm around his master. Gerald looked up and fiercely exclaimed: “Will you leave me alone. Cannot I have a moment’s Eomichooks.co