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

GOLDSMITH OF ANTWERP.

tenth century. A wonderfully fine
Sunday morning in winter bad
dawned; 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 stain
ed-glass window-panes. Then they
Jumped gleefully over TO the smooth
fields of ice formed by the frozen
canals which encircle the city.
At the north end of the town, a
small. well-frozen lake had been
formed bv 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 gilt
tering skates, seemed TO skim along
as if driven by the wind. Two by
two, the older ones skated by, fol-
lowed by boys and girls, forming
long chains.
Every now and then, pretty girl
swept bv all the other skaters, who
bowed to her respectfully and
watched her with admiration. But,
like a proud swan, she went on
farther and farther. Her elegant
dress betrayed the wealthy patrlclan.
A blue velvet gown, falling in rich
folds, and trimmed with fine fur,
enveloped her form, and under the
turban which she wore, and which
was trimmed with flowing red
plumes, cleaned mass OF golden
hair which fell into two heavy
braids to the edge of her gown. The
wonderful, dreamy eyes in her beautl-
full aristocratic face often looked
searchingly among the young
patricians, but only to turn away in
disappointment and with intense
longing.
Finally the form of young man,
coming from the other end of the
lake, came gliding toward the pretty
skater Her eyes spanked with joy,
he bowed TO her reverently-butt then
he confidently grasped the little
hands which she 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
haughtiness on your part"
Ante drew up her rosy lips in
scorn. That just suits me, Cousin
Adrian!' she laughed, Il wanted to
wait for you undisturbed! y
"Oh! Ante, you must not do it; as
grateful as your cousin is to you for
your friendship, you must never tor
get what a deep, immeasurabl BILE
abyss separates the wealthy Anna
Van Der Solst from the poor gold
smith, Adrian Van Benschotten -
The handsome man spoke earnestly
and mildly, but not without a pain
full twitch of his firmly curved lips.
obj pouted Ante, "but suppose
l do not like anyone else as well as
poor Adrian!" and with a proud,
loving look she scanned his noble,
staIwart form in its plain brown
doublet
Adrian! do you know who you
resemble-in comparison with the
gaudy patricians? You are like the
falcon among the bullhnches!'
Sweet child, it is we'll that you
can Jest; l feel as if should like to
die-for l come to you today for the
last time Ito bid you farewell-I am
going to England ,"
"Go!" she said Jelly. She pushed
him from her, but onl V to draw her
self up again, closer and more con-
fdingly 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
people.
You see, Antje-I must go, hard
as it is for me to do so. Ny honor
demands it. 1t is my duty. Shall l
notice, Ante, 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 together! 1t is bet
ter that l go while my Ante is still
young, so that she may more easily
forget the poor goldsmith. You
know and love a better man, but l
shall remain true to my first love!"
adrian! 1 shall never love any
one else but you'll
Poor Ante! It 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"
Ante answered vivaciously. Even
today l will be the wooer for you at
my fathers feet y
Adrian shook his head. You
don't undertand Mvnheer's patrician
prider' He tore himself away,
violently. Farewell, Antje!'
"Soon l will send you good
newsr' Ante called after him.
He smiled sadly, waved one final
farewell, and disappeared.
The finest house on the Schelde
quay belonged to Van Mynheer Van