The Wreck of the South Pole and Other Strange Tales — page 217: what you’re looking at

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

210 A Chicago Romance. “This is to pledge the future Mrs. Danvers in,” he res marked as we sat down. The dinner passed and after dessert he poured a glass of choice wine for each. “Let us drink to the health of the future Mrs. Dan- vers,” he said. “And forgive me for keeping you so long in suspense. But she has never been born.” “Never been born?” I cried. “Have you been play- ing me another Marjorie Daw trick?” “Not exactly. I called on Mrs. Archer this afternoon. She was so much changed that I did not recognize her. But she knew me at once, and assured me that she was Helen Lawson Archer. “<Tt was very kind in you to make me this visit of condolence,’ she said. ‘You were quite fond of me once, were you not? But that was long ago, and early loves are not, as a usual thing, very lasting. I never realized that I could have any genuine affection until I married Fred.’ ”’ “How does she look?” “Matronly, and rather stout. She has five children.” “And you did not propose?” “No. I had no chance.” Eomichooks. co ee