Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-10-12
THE GOLDSMITH.

1t was In the beginning of the sixteenth
century. y wonderfully fine Sunday
morning 81 winter had dawnod The clear,
cold winter sun was sparkling on the snow
covered roofs of Antwerp.
At the north end of the town a small,
well frozen lake had been formed by the
outlets of tho 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 youthful
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 pretty girl swept
by all the other skaters, who bowed to her
respectfully and watched her with admira-
ton. But, like a proud swan, she went on
farther and farther Her elegant dress be-
trayed the wealthy patrician.
Finally the form Of young man, COM
ing from the other end Of the lake, came
gliding toward the pretty skater. Her eyes
sparkled with joy; he bowed to her rever-
emily, but then he confidently grasped the
little hands she stretched toward him.
They glided on in silence for some time.
"Why did you remain all alone, Antje"
he asked suddenly. THE young patricians
will think it haughtiness on your part"
Antje drew up her rosy lips in scorn.
"That just suits me- Cousin Adrianl" she
laughed. II wanted to wait for you undis-
turbedI'
"Oh, Antje, you must not do It'll AS
grateful as your cousin is to you for your
friendship, you must never forget what
Deep unreasonable abyss separates the
wealthy Anna Van Der Solst from the poor
goldsmith, Adrian Van BenschottenW
The handsome man spoke earnestly and
mildly but not without painful twitch
Of his finely curved lips.
"Ohl" pouted Antje, "but suppose do
not like any one else as well as poor Adri-
AM" and with a proud loving look she
scanned his noble, stalwart form in its plain
brown doublet.
II must go away, hard as 1t is for me to
do SO. My honor demands it. 1t is my
duty. Shall l notice, Antje, how my lit
tie Cousins affection grows stronger, day
by dayH To say nothing of my own heart
achel And to know that we may never
come togetherl 1t is better that go while
my Antje is still young so that she may
more easily forget the poor goldsmith.
You will know and love better man, but
shall remain true to my first Lowell"
'Adrianl 1 shall never love any one else
but you"
The finest house on the Schelde quay be-
longed to Mynheer Van Der Solst
A stately repose reigned in the reception
hall, covered with rugs and decorated with
large chests, mirrors, weapons and shields,
which led to a suit Of richly furnished
apartments. The last one was Antics
own, charming and dainty room.
Rare tropical plants adorned it. Costly
| silver covered the toilet table. Heavy red
silk draperies fell from the golden crown
Of the tester of her bed. Gobelin tapestries
from Brabant showed scenes from the
Bible. In the midst Of this splendor Antje
sat in the coz, upholstered bay window
and gazed sadly out upon the dead winter
landscape Her eyes were red from weep
ing. Now and then soft sob escaped her
half opened lips There had been terri
BILE scene. Mynheer-her father, who had
always been so kind and lenient-now
swnre hiGh and low that only-a veal -: