Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-05-25

could nnd in Q month. A second look a.
| sured me of something more-that she
formed an excellent foil to the piquant
brightness and Keen vivacity, the dark
! hair and nervous features of Mistress
Anne. For the Dutch girl was fair and
plump and Of perfect complexion. Her
hair was very light, almost faxen indeed,
and her eyes were softly and limpidly blue
| grave, innocent, wondering eyes they
were, remember. guessed rightly that
sho was the elderly man S daughter Later
I learned that she was his only child, and
that her name was DymphnA-
| He was q Master Lindstrom, q merchant
of Standing in Arnheim. He had visited
England and spoke English fairly, and
being under some obligations, 1t appeared,
to the Duchess katherine was to be our
host.
We all wal:5ei up the little avenue to-
gether, Master Iindstrom talking as he
went to husband or wife, while his daugh-
ter and Mistress Anne came next, gazing
each at each in silence, as women when
they first NEE: will gaze, taking stock,
suppose of a rivals weapons. walked
last, wondering why they had nothing to
say to one another.
As we entered the house the mystery
was explained. She speaks no English"
said Mistress Anne, with a touch of scorn.
And we no Dutch" answered, smil-
ing. "Herc in Holland am afraid that
she will have somewhat tho best of US
Try her with Spanish
Spanish. know none"
well, / do-a little
"What, you know Spanish" Mistress
Anne's tone of surprise amounted almost
to incredulity, and it fattered me, boy
that was. l dare say it would have fat
tered many an older head than minc
You know Spanish? Where did you learn
it?" she continued sharply.
AT home"
AT home! Where is that" And she
eyed me still more closely. where is
your home, Master Carey. You have
never told Inc"
But had said already more than I in
tended, and shook my head. Il mean,"
l explained awkwardly, "that learned it
in home once had. Now my home is
here. At any rate, have no other"
The Dutch girl, standing patiently be-
side us, had looked first at one face and
then at the other as we talked. We were
all by tits time in a long, low pallor,
warmed by pretty closed fireplace COW
cred with glazed tiles. On the shelves of
| great armoire, or dresser, at one end of
the room, appeared n fine show Of silver
plate. At the other end stood tall linen
| press of walnut wood, handsomely carved,
and even the gratings of the windows and
| the handles of the doors were of hammered
ironwork. There We're no rushcs on the
floor, which was made of small pieces of
wood delicately joined and set together
and brightly polished. But everything in
sight was clean and trim to a degree
which would have shamcd our great house
ut Cotton, where the rushcs sometimes lay
for week unchanged. With each glance
round l felt a livelier satisfaction. !
turned to Mistress Dymphna.
"Senorita!" l said, mastering my no.
blest accent. 'Beso los pies do ustedl
Habla-usted Castillano?"
Mistress Anne stared, while the effect
on tho girl whom addressed was greater
than l had looked for, but certainly of a
different kind. She started and drew
back. an expression of offended dignity
and Of something like anger ruffling hex
placid face. Did she not understand? Yes,
for after moments hesitation, and with
a heightened color, she answered, Isl,
senor.' Her constrained manner was not
promising, but was going on to open a
conversation If could, for 1t looked little
grateful of us to stand there speechless
and staring, when Mistress Anne inter.
posed. what did you say to her? What
was it9" she asked eagerly.
II asked her If she spoke Spanish. Thai
was all, replied, my eyes on Dymphna's
face, viii h still betray ed trouble of some
kind, lex .ept that l paid her the usua
formal compliment. But what is she say
ing to her father"
1t was like the Christmas game of eros:
questions. The girl and had spoken il
Spanish. I translated what VIC had sale
into English for Mistress Anne, and Mis-
tress Dymphna turned 1t into Dutch fol
her father, an anxious look on her face
which needed no translation.
What Is it'" asked Master BERTHE, OBJ
serving that something Sas wrong.
1T is nothiEg-nothing!' replied tht
merchant apologetically, though as HI
spoke his eyes dwelt on me curicusly. II
is only that did not know that you ha(
O Spaniard IN your company"
"A Spaniards' Master BERTHE answered
1--WE have none. This" pointing to me
sis our very good friend and faithful fol
, lower, Master Carey, an Enelishman.
; TO whom" added the duchess, smil
, ing gravely, Il am greatly indebted"
; hurriedly explained the mistake an,
brought at once smile Of relief to tn,
! mynbeers face. "Ah, pardon me, / be
, secch you," he said. "My daughter wa
/ in error And he added something il
Dutch which caused Mistress Dymphna t.
! blush. you know" he continued, e
may speak freely to you, since our enemie
are in the main the same-you know tina
our Spanish rulers are not very popula
with us and grow less popular every day
} especially with those who are of the re
, formed faith. We have learned, some O
: us, to speak their language, but we Low
them none the better for that"
: Il can sympathize with you indeed,
cried the duchess impulsively. God gran
) that our country may never be in tn
. same plight, though it looks rs if thi
3 Spanish marriage were like to put us il
it. 1t is Spain. Spain! Spain! and moth
t ing else nowadaysr'
. Nevertheless tie emperor is grea
and puissant monarch" rejoined tn
Arnheimcr thoughtfully, land could h
] | rule ms himself We might do we'll Ru