The Argosy — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

The Village Blacksmith. 7 “TI fear you spoil this naughty girl, Ryot.” And Vera knew the riding question was already settled. ‘‘ We will discuss the matter when I come back,” said the Rector nervously, as he followed Vera down the drive. It was a warm day, so her father’s pace suited Vera, and she gave herself up to enjoyment of the present and forgot all her troubles: as she generally did when in the saddle. On their return they rode past the forge, and Vera suggested they should see if Reuben had gone back to his work. He had ; and he came out to speak to them ; but he was so altered that Vera, who had not seen him since the night he saved her life, was shocked. He looked ten years older; his hair was blanched and his face was thin and worn. But more striking than either his grey hair or thin face was his bent figure. Not that the stoop was re- markable ; on the contrary the stalwart frame was only slightly bent ; but it gave one the impression that the giant was carrying a burden which even his broad shoulders found too heavy. ‘“T am glad to see you at work again, Reuben,” said the Rector. **T don’t think I am, Reuben,” said Vera, with one of her bright smiles. ‘‘I believe you ought to be resting.” “This is the first time I have been to the forge, sir, and it is wonderful how weak I feel; a few strokes of my hammer are all I can manage at a time,” said Reuben, raising his cap as he would not have done before his illness. ‘‘ Patience, Reuben, patience; you'll gain strength every day now, I hope,” said the Rector. ‘“T am not complaining, sir; the Lord has been very merciful to me; far more so than I deserved,’ said Reubenhumbly. And there was such sincerity in his voice and manner, that much as Mr. Ryot- Tempest disliked this style of conversation in one who was not a member of his own flock, he could not doubt that the blacksmith really meant what he said. ‘“* By the way, Reuben, what is this that I hear about Mark Brown being the cause of your relapse?” asked Mr. Ryot-Tempest, who was feeling very nervous and uncomfortable at the thought that his son had married Reuben’s daughter. ‘* Mark, sir, only told me the truth before I was strong enough to bear it. I don’t blame Mark,” said Reuben. ‘There, Vera; I told you it was Norah’s exaggeration. She has a prejudice against Mark,” said the Rector triumphantly. ‘* Perhaps it wasn’t the truth that he told,” said Vera. Reuben started, and looked at Vera with intense longing in his eyes for a moment ; and then the look of settled melancholy returned, and it seemed to Vera he stooped more than ever. ‘It was the truth, Miss Vera,” he said sorrowfully. ‘* Reuben, you are not well enough to work. I shall come and see you at home soon; you want cheering up; you should make Norah conicaookks (SO) mn