The Argosy — page 130: what you’re looking at

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

The Village Blacksmith. II5 more fully and see what isto be done. There is no doubt whatever that Mark is the culprit ; nevertheless, it is a very awkward matter ; very awkward indeed,” repeated the Archdeacon nervously. “JT wish, papa, you would put off this visitation and stay at home; I should like the matter cleared up as quickly as possible, and I should like togo to Uncle George at once. I cannot remain here unless Mrs. Tempest apologises for insulting me as she has done,” said Vera. ‘‘My dear, I must go to-day; this is my first visitation, and I cannot well put it off; I shall be home by four; till then you can avoid your step-mother. Go out to luncheon, and on my return we will see what can be done. Mark is out now, so even if I had time I could not speak to him.” ‘Very well, papa,” said Vera in a tone of resignation, for she could not bear the idea of being left alone with her step-mother after what had occurred. As long as her father was in the house she felt she had a protector, but as she watched him drive off her spirits fell, and a sense of loneliness and depression beyond anything she had ever felt crept over her, and a presentiment of coming evil which she could not shake off took possession of her. That presentiment was not unfounded, for two hours after the Archdeacon had left the house, Mark Brown returned, accompanied by two policemen, one of whom was in plain clothes and carried a warrant for the arrest of Vera Ryot-Tempest, on a charge of mali- ciously wounding Mark Brown with intent to kill. (Zo be continued. ) COnnicloooks (SO) im