The Grit-advocate., 1903-05-01
CHAPTER II.
Oranie Bowen.

oranje Bowen.
Well, well, to-day goes to its fore
fathers. like all the rest: and, as for
what comes after it, everything is in
the love and counsel of the Almighty
| One"
This was Joris Van Heem skirk's last
thought ere he fell asleep that night.
after Elder Semple's cautious disclo-
sure and proposition, In his calm,
methodical, domestic life, it had been
an "eyentful day" We say the words
often and unrehectingly: seldom paus-
ing to consider that such days are the
results which months. years, per-
chance centuries, have made possible.
Thus. a long course of reckless living
and reckless gambling. and the conse-
quent urgent need of ready money.
had made Capt. Hyde turn his
thoughts TO the pretty daughter Of the
rich Dutch merchant.
She is a homespun little thing"
laughed the colonel's fashionable wife,
and quite unfit TO go among people of
our condition. But she adores you.
Dick; and she will be passably happy
with a house TO manage. and q visit
from you when you can spare the
time"
| 1t was in this mood tha. Katherine
| and her probable fortune had been dis
| cussed; and thus she was but one of
the events, springing from lives an
| terror to her own and very different
{ from it.
Also. in her fathers case. the mo-
| tives influencing his decision stretched
| backward through many generations.
None the less was their influence po-
tent to move him. In fact, he forgot
entirely to reflect how a marriage be
tween his child and Capt Hyde would
be regarded at that day; his first
thoughts had been precisely such
thoughts as would have occurred to a
Van Heemskirk. living two hundred
years before him.
Joris' age was not an age inclined
TO analysis, and he was still less in
clined TO il from personal stand
point. For he was a man of few. but
positive ideas; yet these ideas, having
once commended themselves to his
faith or his intelligence, were en-
blaced with all his soul. SempIe's
communication regarding Capt. Hyde
and his daughter had aroused in. him
certain feelings. add led him to GER
tain decisions. He went to sleep. sat
isfied with their propriety and justice
He awoke in precisely the same mood
Then he dressed and went into his
garden. II was customary for kath-
crime to join him there; and he fire.
Quently turned, as he went down the
path, TO see ii she were coming.
But this morning she did rot come.
He walked alone TO his lily bed.
but his face frightened when he heard
her calling him to breakfast and very
soon he saw her leaning over the half
door, shading her eyes with both
hands. the better to watch his ap-
proach.
Iysbet was already in her place: so
was Joanna, and also Bran Joris
and Bran discussed the business of
the day; Katherine was full of her
visit 10 Seruple house the preceding
evening. Dinorah was no restraint
The slaves Joris owned, like those of
Abraham. were born or brought up in
his own household.
And yet this morning. Joris waited
until Lysbet dismissed her handmaid.
before he said the words he had de-
termined to speak ere he began the
work of the day. Then he put down
his cup with an emphasis which made
all eyes turn to him. and said:
'katryntje, my daughter, call not
to-day. nor call not any day, until /
. tell you different. at Madame Sem
| pies. The people who go and come
/ there. l like them not. They will be
no good TO you-Lysbet what say you
I in this natter?"
What you say, l say, Joris. The
father is TO be obeyed. When he will
/ not, the children can not.
Katherine had drawn her chair close
7 to her fathers and taken his big hand
| between her own and was st-okins and
I pettirg il; then as she answered she
I leaned her head upon his breast
Father. like to see the English
| lady: and she Is teaching me the new
/ stitch"
Ia