The Argosy — page 386: what you’re looking at

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

368 The Village Blacksmith, ‘’We had mussels for supper in the kitchen, sir, and I could not sleep after I got to bed, so I put on my clothes and sat by the window looking at the moon, for it was as light as day. Presently I saw Reuben come through our grounds by the short cut from his cottage, and as I knew he was ill, I wondered what he could be doing. ‘The more I wondered, the less I liked it. So at last, asking your pardon for the liberty I took, which I know was not quite square, I slipped down and went out after him. I went down the drive, for I heard the gate go, but when I got to the canal I saw nothing of Reuben till I walked a little way, and there, by the hollow-tree, I found him insensible. I saw he was alive, and I went and knocked up the Liddiatts, and we took him to the cottage-hospital. And that is every word I know, sir.” Mark said all this as coolly as if it were an exact narrative of what had taken place, and Mr. Ryot Tempest belteved him implicitly, Not so Mrs. Canter ; her opinion of Mark Brown did not permit her to put the slightest faith in his story. ‘TI thought Janet came and called you,” said Norah. ** Janet ! I haven’t seen her since she left here six months ago, as true as I am a living man!” ‘‘ That will do, Mark; there is no need for strong language; we believe all you have told us,” said the Rector. ‘JT don’t, sir; I don’t believe half. Mark Brown, if you have done anything to Janet, itll be the worst day’s work you ever did in your life. Why did you tell the Liddiatts she came for you and was gone for the doctor ?” “Tt was not true if I did. But though I didn’t see her, Janet was home last night.” ‘ How do you know ?” asked his listeners in the same breath. ‘Because I found this inside the tree close by Reuben.” And, as Mark spoke, he laid the little pink baby’s sock he had picked up by his master, and gave Mrs. Canter a triumphant leer. ‘That is the child’s, sir; I knitted it myself, and I saw Janet put it on the baby when she left my house. She has been home, that is ' certain. As for Mark, we shall never get the truth out of him, so the sooner you send him about his business, the better,” said Mrs. Canter. ‘‘T have told you all I know,” said Mark sulkily, marvelling at the coolness with which Mrs. Canter spoke of Janet’s supposed disgrace. “ You can go, Mark. Well, Norah, this is a strange business. My own idea is you will find Janet has gone home; there was evidently a scene between her and her father last night; perhaps Reuben turned her out of the house and then repented ; if so, she would be sure to go back to you. You must go home to-night, I suppose ? ” ‘Yes, sir, because of the children.” ‘Well, you had better go by the next train and telegraph to me if Janet is there, or as soon as she arrives. Meanwhile, I will make COMM @ NOOKS (GO)