Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1903-01-08
CHAPTER III.
Joy In the House.


Joy in the House.
"Honored gentleman, when will you
pay me my money!"
The speaker was an old man,
dressed in e black coat buttoned to the
ankles, and cap of silk and fur, from
beneath which fell a fringe of gray
hair. The inquiry was addressed to
Capt. Hyde. He paid no attention
whatever to it, but, gayly humming a
stave of "Marlbrook," watched the
crush of wagons and pedestrians, in
order to find suitable moment to
cross the narrow street.
"Honored gentleman, when will you
pay me my moneys?"
The second inquiry elected still less
attention. /,
Il do not wish to make you more
expenses, captain" and Cohen, follow
ing the impulse of his anxiety, laid
his hand upon his debtors arm. Hyde
turned in rage, and flung off the
touch with passionate oath. Then
the Jew left him and walked slowly
towards his store and home.
He soon recovered the calmness
which had been lost during his unsat-
isfactory interview with Capt. Hyde.
"A wise man frets not himself, for
the folly of fool" and, having come
to this decision. he entered his house
with the invocation for its peace and
prosperity on his lips.
Soon there was a little stir in the
street-that peculiar sense of some
thing more than usual which can
make itself felt in the busiest thor
oughfare-and Cohlen went to the
door and looked out.
1.-THE Great Christopher" had come
to anchor-Capt. Batavius de Vries.
There was quite a crowd on the
wharf. Some were attracted by curl
osity; others, by the hope of good
job on the cargo; others, again, not
averse to little private bargaining
for any curious or valuable goods the
captain of the "Great Christopher"
had for sale.
Joanna Van Heemskirk had had a
message from her lover, Capt. de
Vries, and she was watching for his
arrival. There was no secrecy in her
love affairs, and it was amid the joy
and smiles of the whole household
that she met her affianced husband.
They were one of those loving, SEN
sible couples, for whom it is natural
to predict placid and happy life, and
the first words Of Batavius seemed to
assure it:
my affairs have gone well, Joanna
as they generally do; and now shall
build the house, and we shall be mar
ried."
Joanna laughed. II shall just say
a word or two, also, about that, Bata-
vius."
Come, come. the word or two was
said so long ago. Katrijintje, min
meisje, what's the matter now, that
you never come once?"
Katherine was standing at the open
window, apparently watching the
honey-bees among the locust blooms,
but really perceiving something far be-
yond them-a boat on the river at the
end of the garden. So the question of
Batavius touched very lightly her
physical consciousness. A far sweet
er, far more peremptory voice called
her; but she answered:
There is nothing the matter, Bata-
vius. | am well, | am happy. And
now | will go into the garden to make
me fine nosegay," and she walked
slowly out of the door and stopped or
stopped at every fowerbed, while Jo-
anna watched her.
Out of sight of the window, Kath-
crime ran rapidly to the end of the
garden, and, parting the lilac bushes,
stood flushed and painting on the river
bank. Capt. Hyde's pretty craft shot
into sight, and few strokes put it
at the landing stair. In moment he
was at her side. He took her in his
arms, and in spite of the small hands
covering her blushing face, he kissed
her with passionate affection, vowing
with every kiss that she was the most
adorable of women, and protesting
ION his honor as soldier" that he
would make her his wife, or die a
bachelor for her sake.
And who can blame young girl II
she listens and believes, when listen
ing and believing mean to her perfect
happiness? Not women who have
ever stood, trembling with love and
joy, close to the dear ones heart. II
they be gray-haired, and on the very
shoal of life, they must remember still
those moments of delight-the little
lane, the fire-lit room, the drifting
boat, that Is linked with them. II
they be young and lovely, and have
but to say, 1T was yesterday" or. at
was last week." still better they will
understand the temptation that was
too great for Katherine to overcome.
And, as yet, nothing definite had
been said to her about Neil Semple,
and the arrangement made for her flu
ture, so that in effect, she was still
free, since Neil had not spoken.
On the night of De Vries' return
there was a great gathering at Van
Heemskik's house. Conspicuous in the
happy. chattering company, Lysbet
Van Heemskikrk hustled about, in the
very whitest and stiffest of lace caps.
Very soon after shutdown, Elder Sem
pie and madam his wife arrived; and
the elder, as usual. made decided
stir among the group which he joined.
mo. no. councillor" he said, in an.