The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-06-27
THE GOLDSMITH.


At the north end Of the town small,
well frozen lake had been formed 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 youthful
| gayety presented itself TO the visitor The
slender forms Of youths and maidens, with
their glittering skates, seemed to skim
| along as IL driven by the wind. Two by
two the older ones skatcd 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-
tiol, But, like a proud swan, she went on
fafther and farther. Her elegant dress be-
trayed the wealthy patrician.
Finally the form of young man, CON-
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. 1.-The young patricians
will think 1t haughtiness on your part"
Antje drew up her rosy lips In scorn.
"That just suits me, Cousin Adriap" she
laughed Il wanted to wait for you undis-
turbedl'
"Oh, Antje, you must not do IL! As
grateful as your cousin Is to you for your
| friendship, you must never forget what
deep, immeasurable abyss separates the
wealthy Anna Van Der Solst from the poor
goldsmith, Adrian Van Benschotten!"
| The handsome man spoke earnestly and
mildly, but not without painful twitch
| of his finely curved lips.
| "Oh!" pouted Antje, "but suppose do
not like any one else as well as poor Adri-
AM" and with proud, loving look she
scanned his noble, stalwart form I'm its plain
brown doublet.
| II must go away, hard as II Is for me to
do So My honor demands it. 1t is my
duty. Shall notice, Antje, how my lit
tie cousins affection grows stronger day
by day9 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
| l shall remain true TO my first lovel'
| 'Adrianl shall never love any one else
but you"
The finest house on the Schelde quay be-
longed to Mynheer Van Der Solst.
A stately reposo reigned in the reception
hail. covered with rugs and decorated with
large chests, mirrors, weapons and shields,
which led to q suit Of richly furnished
apartments. The last one was Antics
own, charming and dainty room.
Rare tropical plants adorned 1t. Costly
silver covered the toilet table. Heavy red
silk draperies fell from the ,-olden 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 cozy, 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 a terri
BILE scene. Mynbeer-her father, who had
always been SO kind and lenient-now
swore high and low that only a wealthy
merchant should become the husband Of
his only daughter. II will never give you
TO that poor beggarl" was his last word.
1t was not on account of the difference
In rank, for the goldsmith's 8 art was great
ly honored in the sixteenth century, but
Mynheer considered Adrian an idle dream
| er.
Profession has no golden bottom with
that fellowv' grumbled the excited man.
II shall never intrust my greatest bless
ing to q man who will never be prosper
ousl"
Time crept by slowly and weighed heav-
lily on Antje. Finally she found some d.
version in her embroidery franc. The
beautiful laco collar upon which she was
at work had been intended for a bridal
gift for Adrian.
"Now the collar shall ornament my
shroud" thought Antje and gave way to
somber thoughts. She did not even notice
that shehad repeatedly pricked her middle
finger until the drops Of blood from it had
already made large red spot. The fine
brussels cambric was spoiled. Antje an
grily threw the frame into corner just
then Greta, her maid, entered and handed
Antie a small package bearing Adrian .
handwriting.
Quickly Antje broke the seal. small
silver article, set with blue stone, fell
/ out and rolled down to Antics feet. In
quisitvely, Ante picked 1t up and looked
at the strange trinkct in astonishment,
then put ii down indifferently, took up
the parchment and read
MY DEAR SWEET ANTJE-I knew very well
that you would not send me a good message.
Now am on my way to England. Believe me,
| l act only from motives of pure. disinterested
love. But you, my dear child, must obey your
noble father. who is anxious for your welfare
only. Farewell, my darling. Be happy and
try TO forget. Ever your loving ADRIAN.
p. S.-Perhaps l may give YOU just little
souvenir. The silver trinket is a little cap
which thought of for the protection OF your
delicate finger when / noticed how often you
pricked 1t at your embroidery.
Then Antje alternately pressed the letter
and the little finger cap TO her lips and
held up her hand as she made the vow,
adrian, 1 will wait until you return to
take your Antje with your
Three years have passed. A long, mag
niflcent wedding procession is moving to
the grand Jacobs cathedral at Antwerp
The pretty bride, who smiles SO happily
under her lace veil, Is Antje Van Der
Solst. She has not lost any of the fresh
ness OF youth, but has blossomed out even
more beautiful and quecnly, a full blown,
fragrant rose. The bridegroom Is rich,
|