The Argosy — page 379: what you’re looking at

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358 Lhe Village Blacksmith. are tobe married. They, papa and Captain Raleigh I mean, seem to think I had better remain where I am for the present, as Mrs. Ryot- Tempest still believes I stole her diamonds and will prosecute me if she can.” ‘“‘ Never mind, my dear child; be patient and it will all come right in time. We will take care of you till you can go home, if you can put up with this quiet life,” said the Prioress. ‘“‘T shan’t mind the quiet life now I can write to Arthur every day ; E and to occupy myself I shall begin to get some of my trousseau,” said Vera, looking as bright and happy as if no such things as false accusations existed. Certainly love is the most absorbing of all the passions, thought Father Ambrose as he left the convent and pondered over Vera’s utter indifference to her other troubles now that her love trouble was over; though to him it seemed that to be accused of stealing and shooting a man was a much greater trouble than to be separated from a lover. But then Father Ambrose forgot that love troubles are the hardest of all troubles to bear; partly perhaps because they come before the heart is schooled to suffering, partly because if love’s joys are the sweetest it is only fair love’s sorrows should be the bitterest in a world where, on the whole, justice in the long run is pretty fairly meted out. CHAPT IR 2 ox Xb. MARK BROWN FALLS OUT OF THE FRYING-PAN INTO THE FIRE. REUBEN FOREMAN left the police-court the day Mark’s action against Vera was heard a happier man than he had been for months. His heart was lighter, for the burden of a secret sin had been removed. Once more he could look his fellow-men in the face and feel they knew the worst of him; he had nothing now to conceal from them. If they still respected him his conscience could no longer reproach him with being unworthy of their respect. Unworthy he was no doubt in a certain sense, but at any rate his neighbours would now honour him with their eyes open; it would be no blind admiration, for he | had laid bare his secret soul with its stain of sin upon it to their | eyes. | If, on the other hand, he had to suffer from not being held in such | good repute as formerly, this would only be his due ; he would gladly | accept the penalty as part of his punishment. But on leaving the ! police-court he was greeted with the greatest cordiality and not a | little admiration by all who knew him. He found people admired him more for his public confession than they blamed him for his sin. Even Norah, who was not given to paying him compliments and was always inclined to throw cold water on his religious fervour, said as he accompanied her to the station: | Gomicbooks.com |