The Argosy — page 392: what you’re looking at

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

374 The Village Blacksmsth. ‘Janet Foreman! My patience, who'd have thought it! It zs Janet sure enough, and married, too, for here is her wedding-ring. And a beauty it is, fit for Mrs. Jamieson herself,” soliloquised Mrs. Tanner. And then, being wise as well as kind, she asked no questions when Janet revived a little, but made up a bed in her front room and got her into it as quickly as possible. ‘Don’t let father know I am here; I am going on to Aunt Norah by the first train,” said Janet in a faint voice. ‘‘Trust me, my dear. You are too ill to move from here to-day, put no one shall know you are here, unless Madam herself should come in, which isn’t likely. You go to sleep, and you'll feel better when you wake.” Janet was too ill to argue, and as rest seemed the one thing she most desired just then, she asked for her baby, and was sound asleep before she had been an hour in the cottage. As unlikely things often come to pass, it happened that when Mrs, Jamieson returned from the church, after her encounter with Mrs, Canter, she sent the carriage on at the lodge, and got out to pay Mrs. Tanner a farewell visit. The Grange, which belonged to her, was to remain empty until Mr. Ryot Tempest became archdeacon, and then Mrs. Jamieson hoped to persuade him to let the Rectory, and live at the Grange. Meanwhile, Mrs. Tanner was to take care of it, and Mrs. Jamieson now looked in to make some final arrangements. ‘‘Dear me, Mrs. Tanner, surely that is a baby crying ! Who have you staying with you ?” she asked, as she rustled into the kitchen. ‘Well, ma’am, it is 2 young married woman, and she seems to be in trouble ; she is going on to her aunt’s as soon as she is well enough. I have not asked any questions, but she came here with her baby early this morning.” ‘¢ What's her name ?” ‘‘ Janet Foreman, Reuben Foreman’s daughter, but I don’t know who her husband is. There is a mystery about her, for she has begged me not to let anyone know she is here, especially her father, who she seems afraid of.” ‘Janet Foreman! Here in your house? You amaze me! As for her father, he is very ill in the Woodford Hospital. But you must take great care of her. Her husband is a gentleman, but I can’t tell you more at present. Can I see her?” ‘‘ She is asleep now, ma’am.” ‘Don’t disturb her, then; keep her here till you hear from me again. I'll send down chicken and jelly, and some wine, as soon as I get home ; I shall be in again in the course of the day. How strange she should have come here.” It was on the tip of Mrs. Jamieson’s tongue to add that Norah Canter was in Woodford ; but not wishing to run the risk of another interview with that lady, she stopped herself in time, and went COMM @ IDOOKSHGOl |