The Grit-advocate., 1903-05-22

~ dl MI sStElp!H llllJdtiti't vi vi
Tense" and directed Mr. Beekman to
Capt. Earle as his second; leaving the
choice of swords and of the ground
entirely to his direction.
Lightly as Hyde had taken the chal-
lenge. he was really more disinclined
to fight than Neil was. In his heart
he knew that Semple had just cause
OF anger; but then" he argued. Il
would not resign the girl for my life.
for | am sensible that life, if she is
another's, will be very tedious thing
to me-
All day Neil was busy in making his
will and in disposing of his affairs.
Hyde felt equally the necessity for
some definite arrangement of his busi-
ness. He owed many debts of honor,
and Cohen's bill was yet unsettled.
He drank cup of coffee, wrote sew
eral important letters. and then went
to Frances, and had steak and
bottle of wine. During his meal his
thoughts wandered between Kath-
crime and the Jew Cohen. After it he
went straight to Cohen's store.
1t happened to be Saturday, and the
shutters were closed. though the door
was slightly open, and Cohen was sit
ting with his granddaughter in the cool
shadows of the crowded place. Miriam
retreated within the deeper shadows
of some curtains of stamped Moorish
leather, for she anticipated the i'm
mediate departure of the intruder
She was therefore astonished when
her grandfather, after listening to a
few sentences, sat down, and entered
into lengthy conversation. When a.
last they rose, Hyde extended his
hand. Cohen" he said, few men
would have been as generous and at
this hour, as considerate as you.
have judged from tradition, and mis-
judged you. Whether we meet again
or not, we part as friends.
You have settled all things as a
gentleman, captain. May my white
hairs say word to your heart this
hour?' Hyde bowed; and he con-
tinued. in voice of serious benignity:
The words of the Holy One are to be
regarded, and not the words of men.
Men call that honor which He will
call murder. What excuse is there in
your lips if you go this night into his
presence?
There was no excuse in Hyde's lips,
even for his mortal interrogation He
merely bowed again, and slipped
through the partially opened door into
the busy street. Miriam returned to
her place and asked plainly, What
murder is there to be, grandfather
1T is a duel between Capt Hyde
and another 1t shall be called mur-
der at the last
The other, who is he?"
THE young man, Semple. Oh, Mir
lam, what sin and sorrow thy sex
ever bring to those who love it! There
are two young lives to be put in death
peril for the smile of a woman-a very
girl she is"
DO | know her, grandfather"
She passes here often. The daugh-
ter of Van Heemskirk-the little fair
one, the child
"Oh, but now l am twice sorry.
She has smiled at me often. We have
even spoken"
Cohen, with his hands on his staff,
and his head in them, sat meditating,
perhaps praying; and the hot, silent
moments went slowly 1way. In them,
Miriam was coming to a decision
which at first alarmed her, but which,
as it grew familiar. grew also lawful
and kind. A word to Van Heemskirk
or to the Elder Semple would be suf-
ficlent. Should she not say it?
Perhaps Cohen OWNED her purpose,
and was not unfavorable to it, for he
suddenly rose, and, putting on his
cap, said, Il am going to see my kins-
man John Cohen. At sunset, set wide
the door; an hour after sunset | will
return"
AS soon as he had gone, Miriam
wrote to Van Heemskirk these words:
Good Sir-This is a matter of life
and death: so then, come at once, and
| will tell you. Miriam Cohen"
1t was not many minutes before Van
Heemskirk' s driver passed, leading his
loaded wagon; and to him she gave
the note
That day Joris had gone home
earlier than usual, and Bran only
was in the store. He supposed the
strip of paper to refer to barrel of
flour or some other household neces-
sity.
It's actual message was SO unusual
and unlocked for, that it took him a
moment or two to realize the words;
then he answered the summons for
his father promptly. Miriam proceed
ed at once to give him such informa-
tion as she possessed. Bran stood
gazing at the beautiful, earnest girl,
and felt all the fear and force of her
words; but for some moments he
could not speak, nor decide on his first
step.
why do you waltz" pleaded Miriam.
AT sunset. | tell you. 1t is now near
it. Oh, no thanks, Do not stop for