The Argosy — page 288: what you’re looking at

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

The Village Blacksmith. 269 : style of conversation, and felt pleasantly elated in consequence. He also felt Mrs. Jamieson’s charms more strongly than he had ever done ; but he showed no inclination to put that question she was determined he should put before he left. ‘What am I to do with him ?” thought Mrs. Jamieson, in despair. “J would try tears, if I thought they would be of any use. I must sail closer to the wind this time.” “The only drawback is, I am afraid you will find the social duties rather arduous,” she said aloud. * Indeed, I had not thought of that,” said Mr. Tempest, nervously. “T fear so. You see, you will be obliged to entertain the clergy. You must give clerical luncheons and dinners sometimes; and Vera 1s too young, and, I should say, too inexperienced to relieve you of all trouble about them. You want merely to enjoy them without_ having any anxiety.” “True, my dear friend; but I—I really don’t see my way to that -atall. JI almost think it will preclude my accepting the office.” “Oh! I won’t hear of your refusing it,” said Mrs. Jamieson, "quickly. ‘* Now for it,” she added to herself. “Tf I can be of any assistance, I would; I would do anything in ‘my power. Is there any way you can think of in which I can help you ?” she said in a low voice, with a very self-conscious air. “TI really can’t speak plainer,” she thought; while Mr. Ryot ‘Tempest answered, nervously : ‘Thanks, no, you are too kind; but, honestly, I don’t quite see my way inthe matter. This phase of the office had not occurred to me,” continued Mr. Tempest, who apparently did not agree with the » Lalmud saying that “ Hospitality is an expression of Divine worship.” “ But you see the necessity for it?” said Mrs. Jamieson, now at her wits’ end to achieve her object, when her victim unconsciously came | to her assistance. “I do, indeed ; but there is another consideration. I doubt if my Means will be sufficient. I am not rich,” said the victim. “IT am,” said Mrs. Jamieson. | It was her last trump, but she was in doubt what to do, and the maxim, ‘When in doubt play a trump,” occurred to her. It was bad whist, but in this case, at least, it was good policy. There was no room for doubt as to her meaning, blind as Mr. Ryot fempest had hitherto been. He saw now what she meant. It was not the first time the idea of making her his wife had occurred to him by any means. He liked her, he admired her; he was not blind to the fact that she was rich as well as charming ; ; but, to do him justice, the thought of Vera had hitherto prevented him from Seriously contemplating a second marriage. But now the idea had evidently occurred to Mrs. Jamieson also, Perhaps he had been leading her to suppose his intentions were matrimonial. At any rate, it suddenly flashed upon him he had gone too far to retract. In the CORnnIClOOkKS (CO) =}