The Argosy — page 123: what you’re looking at

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

108 The Village Blacksmith. Among the odds and ends, Mark came across an old horse-pistol, which, as soon as his master had finally departed, he took down to the harness-room to examine and clean, for it was very rusty. Mark, however, soon polished it up, and to his delight found it was all right. Clumsy as it was, it would have been sufficient to kill a better man than Mark. He had, however, at present no murderous designs in view ; he merely wanted to intimidate Janet into marrying him with it; and, if the sight of it was insufficient, to fire a cap and a little powder, which would, he hoped, be more effective eloquence than his most impassioned language had hitherto proved. This happened in October, and a few days later Mr. Tempest and - Vera being out, Mark put the pistol in his pocket, and strolled up the lane towards Reuben’s cottage, meaning to waylay Janet, whom he had seen go down to the village earlier in the afternoon, and who would, he knew, return in time to have the blacksmith’s tea ready for him when he came up from the forge. As he expected, just as it was beginning to get dusk Janet returned, and was by no means pleased when Mark, who was lurking behind a low fence, advanced and accosted her. It was only a narrow lane, a mere bridle-path, and fanet found she could not get on any further, unless Mark chose to let her; which he was not inclined to do, until he had had his say at any rate. “You needn’t be in such a hurry, Janet. I have not seen you to speak to for I don’t know how long, and as you know well enough I have plenty to say.” ‘‘T can’t stop now, Mark. Father will be home before I have got Ris tea ready.” | ‘‘He won't be home for another hour,” said Mark coolly. ‘‘ And now look here, Janet ; once for all I want you to give me your answer. I love you madly, and you know it. You couldn’t find a better husband than me if you were to go to New York for him, and you know that, too. Now, Janet, there is nothing you could ask me for that I would not give you if you'll only have me. Once more I ask you—and mind it is for the last time, Janet—will you marry me ?” ‘“No, Mark, I can’t. I have given you my answer over and over again,” replied Janet. “Yes, but that isn’t the answer I mean to have. I mean you to say yes. Marry you, I will.” ‘Mark, it is impossible. Don’t keep me here any longer, please. I am very sorry, but I don’t love you, and I never could,” said Janet, hoping to kill all latent hope in Mark’s bosom, especially since he had told her it was the last time he should ask her. “Very well, Janet; you see this pistol; Ill give you till I have counted forty—and if you don’t say yes by then, I blow my brains. out before your eyes. One—two,” and as he spoke, Mark produced the horse-pistol. Janet was really dreadfully alarmed, but she had plenty of nerve GOMmicdooks (E(@)