St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1894-06-07

Mynheer-her father, who had al
ways been so kind and lenient-now
swore high and low that only a
wealthy merchant should become the
husband of his only daughter. L
will never give you to that poor
beggarI" was his last word.
1t was not on account Of the
difference in rank, Tor the goldsmith s
art was greatly honored in the
sixteenth century, but Mvnheer con-
sidered Adrian an idle dreamer.
profession has no golden bottom
with that fellow!' grumbled the ex-
cited man. Il shall never entrust
my greatest blessing to man who
will never be prosperous
Time crept by slowly and weighed
heavily on Ante; finally she found
diversion in her acknowledgements.
The beautiful lace collar upon which
she was at work had been intended
for bridal gift for Adrian.
Now the collar shall ornament
my shroud!" thought Antje, and
gaveupto sombre thoughts. She did
not even notice that she repeatedly
pricked her middle finger, until the
drops OF blood from it had already
made a large red spot; the fine
Brussels cambria was spoiled.
Ante angrily threw the frame into
corner. Just then Greta, her maid,
entered and handed Antje a small
package bearing Adrian's hand
writing.
Quickly Antje broke the seal;
Il l. HI
stone, fell out and rolled down to
Antics feet. Inquisitively, AnJe
picked it up, and looked at the
strange trinket in establishment;
then put it down indifferently, took
up the parchment and read:
My dear, sweet Ante, 1 knew very
we'll that you would not send me good
message. Now l 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 1 may give you ust
little souvenir The silver trinket is
little cap which l thought of for the pro-
lection of your delicate finger, when L
noticed how often you pricked it at your
embroidery"
Then Ante alternately pressed the
letter and the little hnger-cap. to her
lips, and held up her hand as she
made the VOW: Adrian, will wait
until YOU return to take your Ante
with you'll
Three years have passed: a long
magnificent wedding-procession is
moving to the grand Jacobs cathe-
dral al Antwerp.
The pretty bride, who smiles so
happily under her lace veil, is Antje
Van Der Solst. She has not lost any
of the freshness of youth, but has
blossomed out even more beautiful
and queenly, full-blown, fragrant
rose The bridegroom is a wealthy,
stately-looking man from Sheffield.
He looks best in his costly velvet
waistcoat, decorated with wide
golden necklace of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
distinguished figure among the
patricians following the bridal pair.
Ante is following the man from
Sheffield to the altar, with her
fathers blessing-and still she has
kept her vow, for the bridegroom is
Adrian Van Benschotten. the in
ventor of the thimble.
The practical Englishmen had soon
appreciated the value of the inven-
ton, and through it Adrian had at
tanned riches and honors.
The renowned goldsmith Of Ant
werp lived long, happy life with his
faithful Ante. At their golden we'd
ding, however, the venerable couple
still showed to their great-grand-
children the origin of their fortune
the first thimble.-[Romance for
June.