The Argosy — page 204: what you’re looking at

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

The Village Blacksmith. 187 *Put an end to it at once; cut the knot; don’t attempt to untie it. The sooner it is done the better, for Vera’s sake, poor child; she will sadly need a woman’s sympathy. You men are very clever, but you don’t understand us poor women in these affairs.” “Tf Vera would only confide in you,” said Mr. Ryot Tempest, knowing that Vera was as likely to confide in Mark Brown as in Mrs. Jamieson. “We must have patience; perhaps some day she will.” Mr. Ryot ‘Tempest sighed, and soon after departed in a very rest- ‘less mood. He would have given much to have read the feelings of his bereaved friend with regard to him; she would have given more to know the state of his feelings towards her. We are fortunately in 4 position to know both. _ Mrs. Jamieson moved to the pier-glass when her visitor had departed, and gazed critically at herself. ‘‘I am handsome even in this trying crape. If I could but meet him in the evening—I always \}was a candlelight beauty—one evening in my black velvet and }diamonds would finish him,” she thought, as she gazed complacently jat her good-looking person. _ “Happy thought! [ll ask him to dinner,” she muttered half aloud after a little pause. ‘‘Why didn’t I think of it before? He'll ‘come because the girl will want rousing after her lover has gone. ‘Meanwhile 1’ll write to the bishop, and make him promise the next jarchdeaconry to my little friend. He will make a very good arch- ‘deacon and an excellent husband.” ? | Then she peered closer at herself, and the scrutiny was satisfac- \tory, for she added with a little thrill of pleasure: “The lines under my eyes are less marked than they were; Mr. Jamieson’s temper made them. Ah, well! he is at rest—and so am I.” | Meanwhile Mr. Ryot Tempest was trotting home, his little pulses eating fast as he bumped about on his pony, occasionally muttering \° himself: ‘‘ A fine figure, a very fine figure; and a charming voman,” | | He was much exercised about Vera and Captain Raleigh, and vas by no means reckoning on his interview with them. He was lisappointed, too, for he liked Captain Raleigh personally, and would have liked the connection ; but nothing should induce him to jst Vera marry a Catholic. But the image of Mrs. Jamieson kept plotting all other thoughts out of his mind, save that ever-recurring _jne: “A fine figure, a very fine figure.” “Is Miss Vera in the house, Mary?” was his first question on _ }aching home. | “No, sir; she is out with Captain Raleigh,” said Mary. ) “Very good; tell her I want her in my study as soon as sne J omes in,” _ Mary left the room outwardly unmoved, inwardly boiling with dignation. COMIC OOO eS) (CO) im oe een = . +