Gilpin observer., 1903-04-30

many other things far better for thee
to learn. In these things the best Of
all good teachers is thy mother
Il can do these things also, father.
The lady loves me and will be unhappy
not to see me-"
Then, let her come here and see
thee. That will be the proper thing
Why not? Always honor thyself, as
well as others. That is the Dutch
way; that is the right way. Mind
what tell thee.'
His voice had gradually grown
sterner, and he gently withdrew his
hand from her clasp, and rose as
man pressed with affairs.
When he had left the room Lysbet
instantly began to order the wants of
the house. Katherine still sat at the
table; her eyes were cast down, and
she was neutrality-suspicious. a con-
sciousness of doing so-her bread
crumbs upon her Delft plate. Reused
from her revery she comprehended in
a moment how decisive her fathers
orders were intended to be. Yet in
this matter she was SO deeply inter-
ested that she instinctively made an
appeal against them.
Mother, my mother, shall l not go
once more to see Madam Gordon? So
kind she has been to me! She will
say am ungrateful, that am rude,
and know not good manners. Yes,
mother, may go once. A young girl
does not like to be thought ungrateful
and rude"
More than that, Katherine; young
girl should not like to disobey q good
father. You make me to feel aston
ished and sorry. Here is the key of
the best parlor; go now and wash
carefully the fine china-ware."
So Lysbet turned and left the room.
She did not notice the rebellious look
en- her daughters face, the lowering
brows, the resentment in the glance
that followed her, the lips firmly set
to the mental purpose. ITO see her
lover at all risks'-that was the pur.
pose; but how best to accomplish it
was not clear to her.
She lifted the key given her and
went to the parlor. 1t was a large,
low room, with wainscoted walls, and
a big tiled fireplace nearly filing it.
The blinds were closed, but there was
enough light to reveal its quaint and
almost foreign character. The oval
tables were full of curious bits of
china, dainty oriental wicker-work, ex-
quisfte shells on lacquered trays, won
derfully wrought workboxes and fans
nd 1ofc ,L1
among the strange carven toys and
beautiful ornaments, she couold think
only of him-of his stately manner
and dark, handsome face. She re-
called every word he said to her as
they sat under the water beeches
More vividly still she recalled the ten
der light in his eyes, the lingering
clasp of his hand, his low, persuasive
voice, and that nameless charm of
fashion and culture which perhaps i'm.
pressed her more than any other thing.
| /, Among the articles she had to dust
was square Indian box with drawers.
1t had always been called "the writing
box" and it was partly filed with pa
per and other materials for letter.
writing. She stood before the open
lid thoughtfully, and a sudden over
whelming desire to send some mes
sage Of apology to Mrs. Gordon came
into her heart. She could write pretty
well and she had seen her mother and
Joanna fold and seal letters; and, al
though she was totally inexperienced
in the matter, she determined to make
the effort.
All difficulties were overcome, one
by one; and the following note in
trusted to the care of Diedrich Becker,
the old man who worked in the garden
and milked the cows:
ITO Mistress Col. Gordon
"Honored Madam: My father for
bids that come to see you. He thinks
you should upon my mother caR- That
you will Judge me to be rude and un-
grateful, l fear very much. But that
is not true. l am happy. indeed. l
think all the day of you.
Your obedient servant,
katherine Van Heemskirk."