The Argosy — page 206: what you’re looking at

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

OE o_O re | ee The Village Blacksnuth. 189 Now, sad to say, Mrs. Canter used these words for the purpose for which, according to the cynic, words were given us—namely, to con- ceal our real thoughts, for she did not for one moment believe Mary’s ghost was a nun from the convent. She had her own theory on the subject, but she had no intention of expressing her views even to the Archdeacon. ‘But I did not come all the way from Marling to listen to a ghost story, or a fairy tale either. I want to hear all you know about Miss Vera and the robbery. Where was she when it happened?” said Mrs. Canter, seeing the cold water she had thrown on the ghost had cooled the servants’ tongues. This appeal drew forth a graphic description of the scene when Vera’s screams roused the house on the night of the robbery; but Mrs. Canter soon interrupted the eloquence of the butler, who was spokesman. ‘“ Why, I see it all. Mark was stealing the jewels, and Miss Vera walked into the room in her sleep. He fired at her and shot himself, and served him right too. ‘That’s what happened, as sure as my name is Norah Canter. Miss Vera has walked in her sleep from a child. I must go and see Mr. Tempest directly ; he does not know it.” Well, I never!” exclaimed the ex-Fuchsia-bells, Holmes and the butler, elliptically, vulgarly and unanimously. The Archdeacon was in his study ; his Lempriére was put away on a shelf ; he was in no mood for classical allusions ; his Peerage slept in a drawer; noble connections and aristocratic relations seemed incongruous with the trouble which had befallen him ; his Bible was hidden under a mass of papers and law books, for even his religion afforded him but little comfort; he had scarcely slept during the night ; he was suffering from indigestion caused by sorrow; and he looked so worn and aged that Mrs. Canter’s kind heart was touched. Pity got the better of her anger, and she burst into tears. Most women are emotional; Mrs. Canter was not; therefore this burst of emotion surprised the Archdeacon as much as it surprised | herself; but while it rather pleased him, it annoyed her. She was as shy of showing her real tenderness as most men are of showing their religious feelings. So, drying her eyes on the folded handkerchief, she gave herself an indignant shake as a protest against her weakness, and, mentally calling herself a fool for her pains, took the seat the Archdeacon offered her. “Why, Norah, I am very glad to see you. It was very kind of you to come to me in my trouble. Thank God I am able to tell you Miss Vera is safe, though I do not know certainly where she is.” * Better not inquire, sir, perhaps; I think I can guess. Bless you, she is safe enough, Mr. Tempest. The mercy is she wasn’t killed when the pistol woke her. There is nothing more dangerous than to wake sleep-walkers suddenly when they are walking.” CORNICLIOO® cs) (SO) am