The Argosy — page 128: what you’re looking at

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

I 18 Margaret Rymer.— “ Tust so.—Is he a good fellow, this parson P” “Good inside. Not much to look at.” ‘‘Maggie shall go with him, then. I should be the last to stand willingly in her way. You see, I have not known whether it was safe for me at Timberdale : or I should never have left Maggie to the shop alone. Does anyone know of the past—my past—besides you and the Squire ?” “Yes, Herbert Tanerton knows of it; and—and the curate, Mr. Sale. And I told him what had passed only on the previous day.” Ben’s mouth fell as he listened. ‘¢Tt is another mortification for me,” he said. ‘I should like to have stood as well as might be with Margaret's husband. Perhaps knowing this, he will not think more of her.” “T don't believe he will let it make any difference. I don’t think he is the man to let it. Perhaps—if you were to go to him ?—and show him how straight things are with you now p—and ——” I broke down in my hesitating suggestion. Ben was years older than I, miles taller and broader, and it sounded like the mouse attempting to help the lion. “ Yes, I will go to him,” he said slowly. ‘It is the only plan. And —and you think there’s no fear of Herbert Tanerton ?” ‘‘T’m sure there’s none. He is indoors now, dining with us. I am sure you are quite safe in all respects. Lee, you know, the old post- mano, thinks it was Cotton: the Squire persuaded him into the belief at the time, Where ¢s Cotton ?” ‘‘ Where all such rogues deserve to be—transported. But for him and his friends, I should never have gone much wrong. Thank you for the encouragement you give.” He half put out his hand, to endorse the thanks, and drew it back again; but I put mine freely intohis. Ben Rymer was Ben Rymer, and no favourite of mine to boot; but when a man has been down and is trying to get up again, he deserves respect and sympathy. ‘“‘T was about here all last evening, hoping to get sight of you,” he remarked, as he went out at the gate. ‘‘I never saw such hght nights in all my life as these few last have been, what with the moon and the snow. Good-night, Mr. Johnny.” Ben Rymer went striding towards Timberdale, and arrived at the curate’s lodgings. Mr. Sale was at home. Ben sat down by him, and made a clean breast of everything: his temptation, his fall, and his later endeavours to do right. ‘¢ Please God, I shall get on in the world now,” he said; “and, I think, make a name in my profession. I don’t wish to boast—and time of course will alone prove it—but I believe I have a special aptitude for surgery. My mother will be my care now ; and Margaret —as you are good enough to say you still wish for her—shall be your care in future. There are few girls so deserving as she is.” ECOMRRIC OOO Ss (GO)