The Wreck of the South Pole and Other Strange Tales — page 204: what you’re looking at

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

The Little Girl, Now a Woman. 1097 I asked Tom about her. Much to my surprise, for he was always courtly, he replied brusquely: “T would rather not talk about her.” “That interests me, Tom. Go on.” “T might as well tell you, I suppose,” he replied after thinking for a moment, “but you must not mention it. She has had a pretty hard time of it—was engaged, and the match broken off. It isn’t talked about now, but I tell you, only you must keep it quiet. You see, there was something the matter—I don’t know what—but the two were together for several years; and then her lover went away. All I know is that he loved her, and she loved him—but she can never marry.” “How do you know?” I asked abruptly, for I never liked these tragedies. “The man was satisfied,” Tom answered briefly. “And she loves him?” ees. “Where is he now?” “Tn Australia.” “Who was he?” “My brother.” I kept silent. How rude of me to draw him out in this manner when I had heard that his brother was now on the other side of the world! So, mortified at my care- less stupidity, I leaned back in the pew and waited for Tom to break the silence. But he did not say anything for some time, and when he did speak it was more to himself than to me. Cconniclooolk (SO)