The Argosy — page 289: what you’re looking at

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

Anne. 273 “Ot course I have not forgotten the way to Timberdale,” said he ; “but there’s an odd, shy feeling upon me of not liking to walk about the old place by myself. Anne is strange to it also. We shall soon get used to it, I daresay. Will you go, Johnny?” “Yes, sir.” . “Crabb church is close by, Lewis,” remarked the Squire, “ and it’s a steaming hot day.” “ But I must go to Timberdale this morning. It was poor Jacob’s church, you know, for many years. And though he is no longer there, I should like to see the desk and pulpit which he filled.” “ Aye, to be sure,” readily acquiesced the Squire. “ I’d go with you myself, Lewis, but for the heat.” Dr. Lewis said he should take the roadway, not the short cut through Crabb Ravine; it was a good round, and we fhad to start’ early. I liked Anne better than ever: no one could look nicer than she did in her trim black dress. As we walked along, Dr. Lewis frequently halted to recognise old scenes, and ask me was it this or that. “That fine place out yonder?” he cried, stopping to point to a large stone house a mile off, partly hidden amidst its beautiful grounds. “T ought to know whose it is. Let me see!” “It is Sir Robert Tenby’s seat—Bellwood. Your landlord, sir.” “ Aye, to be sure—Bellwood. In my time it was Sir George’s, though.” “Sir George died five or six years ago.” “Has Sir Robert any family? He must be middle-aged now.” ' “T think he is forty-five, or so. He is not married.” “ Does he chiefly live here ?” “‘ About half his time; the rest he spends"at his house in London. He lives very quietly. We all like Sir Robert.” We sat in the rector’s pew, having it to ourselves. Herbert Taner- ton did the duty, and gave a good sermon. Nobody yet was appointed to the vacant living, which was in Sir Robert Tenby’s gift. Herbert, meanwhile, took charge of the parish, and many people thought he would get it—as he did, later. The Bellwood pew faced the rector’s, and Sir Robert sat in it alone. A fine-looking man, with greyish hair, and a homely face that you took to at once. He seemed to pay the greatest attention to Herbert Tanerton’s sermon ; possibly was deliberating whether he was worthy of the living or not. In the pew behind him sat Mrs. Macbean, an old lady who had been housekeeper at Bellwood during two generations ; and the Bellwood servants sat farther down. We were talking to Herbert Tanerton outside the church after ser- vice, when Sir Robert came up and spoke to the‘parson. He, Herbert, introduced Dr. Lewis to him as the late rector’s brother. Sir Robert shook hands with him at once, smiled pleasantly at Anne, Saas neasee to me as he continued his way. VOL, XXII. comlicbooks.com