The Argosy — page 195: what you’re looking at

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

178 The Village Blacksmith. s Her words had a magical effect on the supposed corpse. Mark sprang up in an instant, shook himself, and took Vera’s mare, with © an awkward attempt at a laugh, as he said in what was meant for an apologetic tone : ‘“T was only having a piece of fun, Miss Vera.” ‘Fun indeed ! I am ashamed of you, Mark. It was most cowardly conduct, and you nave frightened poor Janet terribly. Take Firefly home at once. I shali speak to your master about this,” said Vera, angrily. Mark slunk off like a whipped hound, and Vera, picking up the skirt of her habit, pulled Janet’s arm through her own, and led her slowly up the hill. “‘ T’ll see you home, Janet, and stay with you till Reuben comes — back. Mark shan’t be allowed to worry you in this way if I can help it ; it is downright persecution. But you must tell me all about it, and we will see what can be done,” concluded Vera, anger against Mark as well as sympathy with Janet making her forget her own | happy hopes for the time. 4 How Janet wished she could tell Vera all about it, but this was impossible. All that concerned Mark Brown and his persecution of her she could and did tell her when they got into the cottage; but — her real sorrow, her secret marriage, this Janet dare not breathe. — Even if Rex had given her leave to do so, she would hardly have ‘ventured to break to Vera that she was her brother’s wife. news could only be most unwelcome to Vera. Indeed she might probably refuse to have anything to say to her, for though Vera was _ Such . passionately attached to Rex, and was described among all her father’s parishioners as “‘a very nice young lady, with no pride,” Janet felt there was probably a limit to Vera’s sisterly devotion, and to her humility ; and she doubted whether either could stand such a shock | as the news that her brother had secretly married the blacksmith’s daughter. But Rex had enjoined strict secrecy, and Janet was prepared to suffer martyrdom if necessary rather than disobey his injunctions. All — she hoped and prayed was, that he would announce his marriage — before she became amother. Poor Janet! If she could have seen into the future, even her brave spirit—and she was brave where Rex’s interest was concerned—-would have quailed before the fiery trial she — was destined to pass through. Reuben returned a few minutes after the two girls. smith’s great frame seemed almost to fill the little room when he entered it, and at Vera’s request sat down in front of the newly- kindled fire now blazing brightly, and throwing Vera’s lovely girlish figure, set off by her well-fitting habit, into high relief against the white-washed wall behind her. She had taken off her hat and gloves and was sitting upright on Reuben’s arm-chair, screening her beautiful face with two little white hands from the firs, <iier golden Com (C 0)(6\(0) CS (Elo) -& — al - The _ black-