The Argosy — page 289: what you’re looking at

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

270 The Village Blacksmith. excitement those two little words “I am” caused him, he forgot Vera ; he forgot his dead wife for the time. All he thought of was this handsome widow, in her silk and crape, sitting close to him, with one hand now laid on the elbow of his chair, practically offering him her- — self and her fortune. He took the hand up in his, and, bending forward, asked shyly : ats it mine 2.7 Mrs. Jamieson’s reply, if she made one, was inaudible, though there is not the slightest doubt she was equal to the occasion. She did not attempt to withdraw her hand, though with the reader’s per- mission, we will not follow her example, but will now withdraw our- selves from the presence of this middle-aged couple out of respect to — their years. What further indiscretions the two may have been suilty of shall remain their secret. It was late in the afternoon before Mr, Ryot Tempest found him- _ self again on his pony, and then, as he jogged along, two thoughts ~ chased each other through his brain, The one: “A magnificent woman.” The other: ‘‘ What will Vera say ?” What indeed ? CHAPTER XI. ANNOUNCES A BIRTH AND A MARRIAGE, Mrs. CANTER was no doubt a good laundress, and as her customers — would bear witness, had a talent for ironing starched things: but her S teat i = oh onl iq a real genius lay, in her own opinion, in another profession: that of ‘ monthly nursing. This occupation being incompatible with her duties as a mother, she was unable to follow it, but as the prospect of nursing Janet drew near, Mrs. Canter’s spirits rose daily. There » was, of course, nothing to prevent her from acting in her favourite capacity to Janet, though she felt some slight slur was cast on her skill when Rex wrote and insisted on a doctor being called in. It ' must be done, of course, since Rex wished it; but law! what should a young gentleman like him know about such things ? So it came to pass that one evening early in April the doctor was duly sent for, but to Mrs. Canter’s intense delight and triumph the baby was in too great a hurry to enter the world to wait for that gentleman’s tardy arrival; and when he came some time in the small hours, the baby was washed and dressed and sleeping quietly by its — mother’s side. “There he is, sir, a gentleman every inch of him, bless his little heart ; as straight as a dart and not a fault to find with him; with his father’s own eyes, and as fine a child as ever was seen,” said Mrs, Canter, her excitement overpowering her discretion, though GOMIGIOOKS.com |