Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1903-01-15

the matter In any way. Ii Is now
then, open war between US; and SO,
sir, your servant"
Stay. To me listen. Not one
guilder will give to my daughter,
if"
ITO the devil with your guilders!
Dirty money made In dirty traffic"
you lie"
Sir, you take an infamous advan-
tage. You know. that, being Rather
ines father, l will not challenge you.
"Christus," roared Joris. "chal.
lenge me one hundred times. A fool
! would be to answer you. Life my
God gave TO me. Well, then, only
my God shall from me take it. See
you these arms and hands? In them
you will be as the child of one year.
Ere beyond my reason you move me,
goi" and he strobe to the door and
flung it open with a passion that made
every one in the store straightcl
towards the two men.
White with rage, and with his hand
upon his sword-hilt, Capt. Hyde
stamped his way through the crowded
store to the dusty street. Then 1t
struck him that he had not asked the
name Of the man to whom Katherine
was promised. He swore at himself
for the omission. Whether he knew
him or not, he was determined to
fight him. Now he must see Katie
rine before her father had any oppor-
tunity to give any orders regarding
him.
In the meantime Joris was suffering
as only such deep natures can suffer.
Capt Hyde's proposal and his posi-
tive assertion that Katherine loved
him, had fallen upon the fathers
heart with the force of blow, and
the terror of a shock.
After Hyde's departure, he shut
the door Of his office, walked to the
window, and stood there some min
utes, clasping and unclasping his
large hands, like a man full of grief
and perplexity. Ere long he remem-
bered his friend Semple. This trou-
Bile concerned him also, for Capt.
Hyde was in manner his guest;
and, If he were informed Of the mar
riage arranged between Katherine
and Neil Semple, he would doubtless
feel himself bound in honor to retire.
Joris found Semple and in a few
short, strong sentences, put the case
before him.
my certie! When girls are auld
enough for lover, they are match
for any gray head. I'm thankful man
that ! wasna' put in charge O. any O.
them. l shall hae to speak my mind
to Mel, and likewise to Col. Gordon;
and you Gamma put off your duty to
your daughter an hour longer. Dear
me! To think, Joris. o. man be-
ing able to sit wi the councillors o. the
nation, and yet no match for lassie
o. seventeen"
AS they walked homeward, the elder
talked, and Joris pondered. not what
was said, but the thoughts and pur-
poses that were slowly forming in his
own mind.
When the evening meal was over
Joris rose, and laying his hand on
Katherine's shoulder said, There is
something to talk about. Sit down,
Lysbet; the door shut close, and lis
ten to me-"
1t was impossible to mistake the
stern purpose on her husbands face,
and Lysbet silently obeyed the order.
katherine, katrijntje, min kind,
this afternoon there comes to the store
the young man Capt. Hyde. To thy
father he said many Ill words. To
him thou shalt never speak again.
Thy promise give to me-"
She sat silent, with dropped eyes,
and cheeks as red as the pomegranate
flower at her breast.
Min kind, speak to me-"
Weeping bitterly, she rose and went
to her mother, and laid her head upon
Lysbet's shoulder.
Look now, Joris. One must know
the why and the wherefore What
mean you? Whish, min kindje!"
This mean. Lysbet. No more
meetings with the Englishman will l
have. No love secrets will I bear.
Danger is with them; yes. and sin, too.
Min kindje, listen to me thy father.
1t is for thy happy life here, 1t is for
thy eternal life, speak to thee. This
man for whom thou art weeping is
not good for thee. Min beste kinje,
do love thee?"
my father!"
do love thee?"
yes, yes"
"Dost thou, then, love me?"
She put her arms round his neck,
and laid her cheek against his, and
kissed him many times.
"Wilt thou go away and leave me,
and leave thy mother, in our old age?
Katrijntje. my dear. dear child. what
for me, and for thy mother, wilt thou
do%
Thy wish-if can"
Then he told her Of the provision
made for her future. He reminded
her of Neil's long affection, and add
ed, Tomorrow, about thy own house.
i will take the first step. Near my
house 1t shall be; and at the feast Of
st. Nicholas thou shalt be married.
And money, plenty of money, will
give thee; and all that is proper thy
mother and thee shall buy. But no
more. no more at all, shalt thou see or
speak to that bad man who has so
beguiled thee. Wilt thou these things
promise me? Me and thy motherT