The Argosy — page 382: what you’re looking at

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

COMM 304 The Village Blacksmith. ‘¢ Perhaps not, ma’am, but that won’t separate them.” ‘You are a designing woman,” said Mrs. Jamieson, losing her temper; and turning abruptly on her heel she swept down the gravel- path to her carriage. ‘‘ Ah! the saucepan must call the kettle black,” remarked Mrs. Canter, and congratulating herself on having had the last word, she re-entered the church, and seeing Mr. Ryot Tempest was no longer there, she marched straight to the vestry and knocked imperatively at the door. The little Rector had that morning received a present from his bride. The present was a cassock, a garment he never had worn, and, had he pleased himself, never would wear, regarding it as he did as a rag of popery. But Mrs. Jamieson had begged him as a personal favour to do so; it was so much more reverent than a coat she affirmed, though how an article of clothing could be considered reverent Mr. Ryot Tempest failed to see. However, for her sake, he had con- sented. He had just succeeded in buttoning his little self into this garment, and was craning his person about, endeavouring to see the effect in the little square looking-glass which hung in the vestry, when Norah’s knock startled him. , ** Romish ; decidedly Romish ; but I think it has a dignified appear- ance,” he muttered complacently as he opened the vestry-door, which he had taken the precaution of locking while he made his way into this reverent clerical garb. Mrs, Canter was undoubtedly the last person in the world Mr. Ryot Tempest either expected or wished to see at that moment, and he was uncomfortably conscious of the cassock, which he knew would provoke her criticism, as Norah marched in. ‘‘ Norah Canter! dear me, I am surprised to see you here, Is Reuben worse ?” ‘Not that I know of, sir. But excuse me, Mr. Tempest, what have you got on?” said Mrs. Canter, holding her clasped hands 10 front of her and eyeing her master up and down with cunosity. ‘’ My cassock ; it is a modern fashion; one must move with the times,” said Mr. Tempest in an apologetic manner. ‘T don’t think you'll move far in that concern, sir; and as for the times, they are bad indeed. But my time is precious. I hear you are going to be married again to-morrow, Mr. Tempest.” ‘‘ Yes, the Lord has chastened me with mercy ; He has taken away the wife of my youth, but He has vouchsafed to supply her place—— “ Remarkably quickly,” interrupted Mrs. Canter. ‘I don’t believe the Lord had anything to do with it; He is too good to go an give Miss Vera a stepmother like Madam Jamieson. So soon after her poor mother’s death, too! But you are putting a rod in pickle for your own back, let me tell you, Mr. Tempest, if you marry Mr. Jamieson.” ‘We will not discuss my marriage, Norah. What have you come NOOKS @ (GO)