Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1894-07-20
Romance of the Thimble.

1t was in the beginning of the six
teenth century. A wonderfully fine
Sunday morning in winter had dawn
ed; the clear, cold winter sun was
sparkling on the snow-covered roofs
of Antwerp. The sunbeams climbed
and glided merrily along the houses,
gliding the glittering stained-glass
window-panes. Then they jumped
gleefully over to the smooth fields OF
ice formed by tho frozen canals which
encircle the city.
AT the north end of the town, a
small, well-frozen lake had been form
ed by the outlets of the smaller
canals. Church was just over; the
last sounds of the bells were still
trembling on the crisp air, as they
died away. A merry throng was on
the lake; a delightful picture of youth
full gayety presented itself to the
visitor. The slender forms of youths
and maidens, with their glittering
skates, seemed to skim along as if
driven by the wind. Two by two, the
older ones skated by, followed by
boys and girls, forming long chains.
Every now and then, a pretty girl
swept by all the other skaters, wko
bowed to her respectfully and watched
her with admiration. But, like
proud swan, she went ON farther and
farther. Her elegant dress betrayed
the wealthy patrician. A blue velvet
gown, falling in rich folds, and trim.
med with fine fur, enveloped her
form, and under the turban which she
wore, and which was trimmed with
gciden hair %6ic6 felff n two ''iss iisssSS =
braids to the edge Of her gown. The
wonderful, dreamy eyes in her beauti-
full aristocratic face, often looked
searchingly among the young patri-
clans, but only to turn away in disap-
pointment and intense longing.
Finally the form of a young man.
coming from the other end OF the
lake, came gliding toward the pretty
skater. Her eyes sparkled with Joy,
he bowed to her reverently-but then
he confidently grOsped the little hands
stretched toward him. They glided |
on in silence for some time.
''Why did you remain all alone,
Antie?" he asked suddenly, "the
young patricians will think it haughti-
ness ON your part.
Antie drew up her rosy lips in
scorn. THAT just suits me, Cousin
Adrianl" she laughed, 81 wanted to
wait for you undisturbedl
"Ohl Antie, you must not do it as
grateful as your cousin is to you for
your friendship, you must never for
get what deep, immeasurable abyss
separates the wealthy Anna Van Der
Solst from the poor goldsmith, Adrian
Van Benschottenp" The handsome
man spoke earnestly and mildly, but
not without painful twitch of his
finely curved lips.
"Oh!' pouted Antie, 'but suppose
I do not like anyone else as well as
poor Adrianl' and with proud, low
ing look she scanned his noble, stall
wart form in its plain brown doublet.
"Adrian do you know whom you
resemble-in comparison with the
gaudy patricians? You are like the
falcon among the bullfnches !"
"Sweet child, it is we'll that you can
jest; l feel as if should like to die
for I come to you today for the last
time--to bid you farewell-I am 60
ing to England !"
"Go!" she said icily. She pushed
him from her, but only to draw her
self up again, closer and more contid
ingly to him. 1t seemed as if they
were made one for the other, for they
were the most MISUNDERSTANDING
couple among the crowd of young peo-
pie.
''You see, Antie-I must go, hard
as it is for me to do SO. My honor
demands it. 1t is my duty. Shall l
notice, Antie, how my little cousins
affection grows stronger day by day? |
To say nothing of my own heartache
And to know that we may never come
togetherl 1t is better that | go while
my Antie is still young, so that she
may more easily forget the poor gold
smith. You will know and love bet
ter man, but l shall remain true to my
first lover'
"Adrianl I shall never love any one
else but you'll" H
''Poor Antiel 1t is in vain; the
proud Mynheer Van Der solst will
never give his only child in marriage
to poor apprentice"
"You are an artist, Adrian" Antie /
answered vivaciously. even today
l viii be the wooer for you at my fa-
theirs feet /"
Adrian shook his head. s'You don't I