Gilpin observer., 1903-05-07
cHAPTER II.-(continued.

Vi oil Cdi lilly odiu wi o.
Gordon. "A letter from that poor child.
Katherine Van Heemskirk. She has
more wit than l expected. So her
father won't let her come to me. Why,
then, upon my word, will go to her."
Capt. Hyde was interested at once.
"You will go tomorrow" he asked;
"and would 1t be beyond good breeding
to accompany you?"
Indeed, nephew. l think 1t would.
Be patient; tomorrow morning l will
call upon our fair neighbor."
The next morning was damp. for
there had been heavy rain during the
night; but Capt. Hyde would not let
his aunt forget or forego her promise.
A negro woman was polishing the
brass ornaments Of the door, and over
its spotless threshold she passed with
out question or delay.
A few minutes she waited alone in
the best parlor, charmed with its far
off air and Eastern scents, and then
Madam Van Heemskirk welcomed her.
In her heart she was pleased at the
visit. She thought privately that her
Joris had been little too strict. And
Mrs. Gordon's praise Of Katherine and
her declaration that "she was incon-
solable without the dear creatures So
ciety,' seemed to the fond mother the
most proper and natural Of feelings.
DO but let me see her an hour.
madam" she said. ''You know my
sincere admiration. Is not that her
voice? VOW. she sings to perfection!
And what singular melody! Please
to set wide the door MADAM
1T is the brave song of the brave
men of Zealand, when from the walls
OF Leyden they drove away the Span.
iards;" and madam stood in the open
door. and called to her daughter,
We'll. then, Katherine, begin again
the song of The Beggars of the Sea-"
At the second verse, Mrs. Gordon
rose and said, Indeed, madam, l find
my good breeding no match against
such singing And the tune is won
derful; it has the ring of trumpets,
and the roar of the waves In it. Pray
let us go at once to your daughters"
! AT work ara they; but, II you mind
not that. you are welcome indeed"
Then she led the way to the large Iiv-
ing, or dining. room, where Katherine
stood at the table cleaning the silver
fagons and cups and plates that
adorned the great oak sideboard
Joanna. who was darning some fine
linen, rose and made her respects
with perfect composure. She had very
little liking. either for Mrs. Gordon
or her nephew; and many of their
ways appeared to her utterly foolish
and not devoid of sin. But Katherine
trembled and blushed with pleasure
and excitement. and Mrs. Gordon
watched her with a certain kind of
curious delight. Her hair was combed
backward. plated. and tied with a rib
bon; her arms bare to the shoulders.
her black bodice and crimson petit
coat neatly shielded with a linen
apron; and poised In one hand she
held a beautiful silver flagon covered
with raised figures. which with patient
labor she had brought into shining re-
lief.
Conversation was easily maintained.
Madam Van Heemskirk knew the pedi-
gree or the history of every tray or
cup. and in reminiscence and story an
hour passed away very pleasantly in
deed. Then Mrs. Gordon, after bid
ding madam an effusive good-by.
turned suddenly and said. Pray allow
yoru daughter to show me the many
ornaments in your parlor. The glimpse
had has made me very inpatient to
see them more particularly"
The moment the parlor door had
been shut. Mrs. Gordon lifted Kath-
crimes face between her palms, and
said
Faith, child, l am almost run OF
my head with all the fne things have
listened to for your sake. Do you
know who sent me here?"ifl
81 think, madam, Capt. Hyde"
"Psha! Why don you blush. and
stammer. and lie about It? Now. Capt.
Hyde wishes to see you; when can
you oblige him so much?"
II know not. To come to Madam
Semple's is forbidden me by my
father"
"Oh. indeed! Has your father for
bidden You to walk down your garden
to the river bank?' tIlf tlr |
NO, madam"
'Then. II Capt. Hyde pass about 3
o'clock, he might see you there?"
"Three?"
The word was question more than
an assent, but Mrs. Gordon assumed
the assent. and did not allow Kath-
crime to contradict 1t. And prom
ised to bring him token from you
he was exceedingly anxious about that
matter"
Katherine looked thoughtfully
around. There was small Chinese
cabinet on the table. She went to 1t
and took from a drawer bow of
orange ribbon. Holding II doubtfully