The Argosy — page 200: what you’re looking at

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

The Village Blacksmith. 183 “It does; I hope it isn’t typical of our path through life,” said Raleigh. “JT hope it is, to some extent. We shall have a little rain no | doubt, but if the sun be shining at the same time, I shall not mind,” said Vera. “JT hope our happiness won’t fade like a rainbow,” replied | Raleigh ; ‘‘ but what you have told me of your father makes me fear | there is trouble in store for us.” | “Not if we are true to each other,” said Vera gently. * And you will be true, my Vera, won’t you ?” “Ves, Captain Raleigh.” °* “How dare you, Vera! Never let me hear you call me Captain. ' Raleigh again. Oh! if we were only in that wood —— ” “What would you doe” “Call me Captain Raleigh again and [’ll show you.” _ “What am I to call you, then? I don’t know your christiam | name,” said Vera with assumed meekness. “ Call me Jack, my darling.” | “Yack, my darling!” said Vera archly; and although they were: } not in the wood, still the field was empty, and she had her reward. | And then they wandered on, lost in each other, till suddenly a | little man, jumping about like an indiarubber ball on a trotting pony in the valley beneath them, attracted Vera’s attention. “There goes my father. He has been to Ashchurch. The only person we know there is Mrs. Jamieson. I wonder what he has been to see her for?” said Vera. ‘‘Jamieson—Jamieson? Who is Mrs. Jamieson ?” | “She is a rich widow, with some wonderful diamonds. Her _ husband was double her age, and he is just dead. That is all I know about her, except I don’t like her.” | “TI know more than that: I knew her well before her marriage.” ‘And do you like her?” asked Vera eagerly. | “TIdid, Vera. I fancied I loved her once, in my salad days. I | am wiser now,” said Raleigh penitently. _ “Thate her; and I can’t think what papa has been to see her for. We called on her not so very long ago.” ) “If he has mentioned me, she will prejudice him against me. | But never mind, Vera, we must hope for the best; and if the _ Worst comes to the worst, we can but wait till you are of age, and , Can please yourself.” _ “That won’t be for more than a year. But I should not like to | Marry against my father’s wishes. Tell me, Jack : were you very fond , of Mrs. Jamieson?” And Vera slipped her hand through Captain ) Raleigh’s arm and looked up into his face. __ “I was, but I was.an-utter fool for my pains! ‘Forgive me that folly, my little Vera.” ~ You are quite sure you like me better than you liked her, Jack?” i | i i ba —_—— ——ee =a — a — COMIC OOO SS