The Argosy — page 329: what you’re looking at

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

— ee 212 A Rare Case. vealed religion. For to the farmer it was light and not darkness. He was not afraid of new ideas ; not afraid of growth even in religion, or that, in growing, it should not adapt itself to the progress of knowledge. Drew found Christianity quite elastic enough for that, and said that the one Truth could be made to embrace all truths. Adam Armitage was aman after the farmer’s own heart. He did not know much about his guest ; indeed no one questioned him as to who he was or whence he came; it was from what he knew of him personally—of his thoughts, and words, and ways, that Drew called him a good man. They all missed him when he went away, Mattie most of all; but the following summer saw him there again, a welcome old friend this time, and no stranger. Drew, a keen observer of all that went on around him, was not so much taken by surprise as his sister was, when one day, towards the end of this second visit, Adam and Mattie were both mysteriously missing. A strong-armed country lass made her appearance before night. She was the bearer of a note from Mattie, confessing that she and Mr. Armitage were married, and hoping the little servant sent might supply her place so that no one would be inconvenienced. Drew might shake his head and look thoughtful, but Mr. Armitage was his own master, and it was not the first time a gentleman had married a country lass. Besides, the deed was done, and past recall. They had gone quietly to one of the churches in the town from whence the sound of bells floated up to the farm, and had been married by special licence. Adam had taken a lodging for his bride, and there they passed one brief, bright week of happiness ; then one morning walked quietly back together, Mattie blushing and smiling, and looking so lovely and ladylike in a simple dress such as she used to wear before she came to the farm, that they hardly knew her. Adam explained that he meant to leave his wife for two days—no more—in the care of her old friends; at the end of that time he would return to fetch her. There were arrangements to make with regard to the scientific expedition about to start immediately. It would sail without him now, but it behoved him to do his best that his place should be as well filled as might be. There was also bis mother to see, and to prepare for receiving Mattie. In a day or two at farthest he would be back. , Mattie walked a little way with her husband and the farmer, along the breezy uplands, and then Adam sent her back, and hastened his own steps in the direction of the little station at the foot of the Downs. When he came again he said, laughing, that it would be from B—— Station, and that he would drive ina fly through the Stonedene Gate and along the track, the only approach to a carriage road leading to the farm. ‘T shall have a box of fine things to bring for my little wife,” he cried, casting a loving glance at the lovely face at his side. | ) | GOmiGcodooks:com |