The Argosy — page 209: what you’re looking at

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

192 The Village Blacksmith. | q f cinate Vera, who, however, was not inclined to be fascinated or fasej- nating. The curate, who was nothing if not ritualistic, bored her; he — arrived at Mrs. Jamieson’s house full of the union of his own Church with the “ Great Western branch,” meaning the Roman Catholic Church, but Vera cooled his zeal in this direction by saying shortly, “I am | not interested in railways.” His conversation then ran on vestments, coloured stoles and the eastward position, and had no interest for her, while the sacerdotal airs he was pleased to assume so irritated her that she privately longed to box his ears. As this longing was not one that could be gratified, she took refuge in the piano when they re-entered the drawing-room, and so charmed the curate, who was musical, by her singing, that he went home determined to reconsider prayerfully the question of the celibacy of the clergy, of which he had — hitherto been a fervid advocate, and inclined to desire a union with Vera even more ardently than he longed for the union of Christendom. If Vera refused to be fascinated by Mrs. Jamieson, her father was less obdurate, and as he sank back in the fly which conveyed him — and Vera home, he-exclaimed admiringly : it ‘A magnificent woman!” ‘a ‘‘T beg your pardon, papa?” said Vera, shortly. if ‘T_T merely remarked what a very handsome woman Mrs. jam son is,” said Mr. Ryot Tempest, nervously. i ‘Very handsome, but what shocking taste to appear out of mourn- — ing when her husband has only been dead three or four months.” “ Out of mourning ! my dear Vera. Why, she was in black.” ‘Black velvet is not mourning, neither are diamonds, except al Court, when ordered.” This was a matter on which Mr, Ryot Tempest conceived the feminine mind more capable of pronouncing judgment than he was, so he did not contradict his daughter, with whom he desired to keep on good terms. For a reconciliation had taken place between them the day after Captain Raleigh’s departure. Vera’s conscience tole her she had not been as respectful as she ought to have been to he father during their interview, so she made the “‘amende honorable,’ and they then agreed the subject should not be mentioned any mort between them till her twenty-first birthday. Vera bore the ee | from Captain Raleigh bravely at first; the joy of loving and bein: loved was still a new experience ; but as time wore on, and Christma drew near, her courage began to flag, and her letters to Norah Canter — who was her confidante, grew longer and more frequent. Nora! feared this new trouble would tell on her darling’s health, and wrot — to Rex, begging him to use all the influence he possessed with hi father to induce him to consent to the engagement. ‘| On Christmas day, Vera’s flagging spirits rose to a high level, fa. Captain Raleigh sent an exquisite bouquet and a large packet of song ) to her, under cover to her father, with a note, hoping Mr. Ryot Ten ©: - pest would permit Vera to accept them, since flowers and music wel | - COnnie ooo <syrere) n