Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1903-01-01
CHAPTER u.
oranIe Bowen.


We'll, 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 Heemskirk'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 "eventful day." We say the words
often and unrefectingly; seldom paus-
ing to consider that such days are the
results which months, years, per-
chance centuries, have made possible.
Thus, 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 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 passabIy happy
with house to manage, and visit
from you when you can spare the
time"
1t was in this mood that 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 1t.
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 it from a 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-
braced with all his soul. Semple's
communication regarding Capt. Hyde
and his daughter had aroused in him
certain feelings, and 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. 1t was customary for Kath-
crime to join him there; and he fire.
quently turned, as he went down the
path to see If she were coming.
But this morning she did not 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.
Lysbet 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 to Semple 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 handmade,
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 l
tell you different, at Madame Sem
pies. The people who go and come
there, like them not. They will be
no good to you-Lysbet, what say you
in this matter?"
What you say. I say, Joris. The
father Is to be obeyed. When he will
not, the children can not
Katherine had drawn her chair close
to her fathers and taken his big hand
between her own and was stroking and
petting It.; then as she answered she
leaned her head upon his breast.
Father, I like to see the English
lady; and she is teaching me the new
stitch"
"Schoone Lammetje! There are
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 myself, 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 a
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 arranging-without a con-
seriousness of doing sober 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 I not so