The Argosy — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

8 The Village Blacksnuth. come back to Woodford,” said Vera, as she gathered up her bridle- reins and prepared to ride on, Mr. Tempest inwardly hoped providence would prevent this from taking place as he followed his daughter up the steep pitch to the Rectory ; for the return of Mrs. Canter to the village would not tend to lessen his domestic troubles. These threatened to become serious, for on his return he found if he wished for peace he must not interfere between his wife and Vera again, unless it were to take the former’s part; for after trying scold- ing, sulking, caressing, weeping, arguing and flattering in succession, Mrs. Ryot-Tempest finally succeeded in making him tell Vera she must either yield to her step-mother’s wish and ride with Mark or remain at home. Vera elected to do the latter, and as her drives had the same restriction imposed upon them, and it was too hot to walk far, she rarely got out beyond the garden. This was just about the time Captain Raleigh was to sail for India; and this, and the changes in her home-life weighed on the girl, and she grew ill and depressed before she had been home a month. Her headaches returned, and Mr. Ryot-Tempest, without consulting his wife, sent for the doctor one Saturday afternoon. The doctor prescribed a tonic and horse-exercise, and if these failed, change of air; and poor Mr. Ryot-Tempest spent the time he should have devoted to preparing his sermon to considering how the problem of Vera’s riding was to be solved, since he knew very well that neither she nor his Poppy would yield in the matter. The problem was still unsolved on Sunday morning when he went into the vestry to robe for the morning-service. He put on his cassock, and then he meekiy donned the short surplice, though it was almost as distasteful to him as a convict’s dress would have been; and then he looked round for the old black stole he always wore, but this was nowhere to be seen. In its place, however, was a red one, with gold fringe at each end; and positively crosses embroidered on it. Mr, Ryot-Tempest looked at this rag of popery, this ribbon from the wardrobe of the Scarlet Woman, as he inwardly called the offending stole, and great drops of perspiration stood on his brow as he looked ; then he wiped his face; then he took up the stole very gingerly, apparently fearing it might burn his fingers. And then after a moment’s hesitation he appeared to come to some decision, and opening a drawer, he thrust the stole in and locked it up. ‘“‘T must draw the line at this. Poppy is an enthusiast, and like all enthusiasts, she goes to extremes. I was weak about the sur- plices, very weak, but I shall be firm about this,” he said to him- self, as the despairing organist began the voluntary for the third time. Then he instituted another search for his black favourite ; but CORNICE OOKS.COM