The Grit-advocate., 1903-04-24

with loving satisfaction. and Elder
Semple was quite sensible of Joan
mas presence. and OF what she was
doing
At this point Katherine Van Heems
kirk came into the room, and the elder
slightly moved his chair and said
Come ava. my bonnie lassie, and rel
us hae look at you" And Katherine
laughingly pushed a stool towards the
fire, and sat down between the two
men on the hearthstone. She was the
daintiest little Dutch maiden that
ever latched shoe-very diminutive
with a complexion like a sea-shell
great blue eyes, and such a quantity
Of pale yellow hair that it made light
of its ribbon snood, and rippled over
her brow and slender white neck in
bewildering curls.
Long before supper was over,
Madam Van Heemskirk had discov-
cred that this night Elder Semple had
a special reason for his call and when
the meal was finished, and the girls
gone to their room, she was not aston
ished to hear him say, "Joris. let us
light another pipe. l hae something
to speak anent-Sit still, guidewife.
We shall want your word on the mat.
ter"
'On what matter elder?'
"Anent marriage between my son
Neil and your daughter Katherine"
The words fell with sharp dis
tinctness, not unkindly, but as if they
were more than common words. They
were followed by marked silence, a
silence which in no way disturbed
Semple. He knew his friends well,
and therefore he expected it.
Joris at last said slowly, For Kath-
crime the marriage would be good, and
Lysbet and | would like it. However,
we will think little about it; there
is time. and to spare. One should not
run on a new road. Say what you
think. Lysbet"
Neil is to my mind. when the time
comes. But yet the child knows not
perfectly her Heidelberg. And there
is more; she must learn to manage a
Ao'oS VI iSl o"A oo Ill lllHe, Say ,
it would be good thing. We have
been long good friends"
I'VE hae been friends for four gen
erations. and we may safely tie the
knot tighter now. The land between
this place and my place. on the river,
side. is your land. Joris Give it to
Katherine. and l will build the young
things house; and the furnishing
and plenishing we'll share between
US"
There is more to wedding than
house and land elder. A young girl
should be wooed before she is mar
ried. You know how it is; and kath
crime, the little one, she thinks not OF
such thing as love and marriage"
"Wha kens what thoughts are under
curly locks at seventeen? You'll hae
noticed. madam, that Katherine has
come mair often than ordinar' to Sem
pie House lately?"
That is so. 1t was because of Col
Gordon's wife, who likes Katherine
She is teaching her a new stitch in
her crewel-work."
"Hum-m-m! Mistress Gordon
has likewise nephew. vera hand.
some lad. hae seen that he takes a
deal O. interest in the crewel-stitch
likewise. And Neil has seen it too
for Neil has set his heart on Rather.
ine-and this afternoon there was a
look passed between the young men
dinna like. Well be haeing a chal,
lenge. and twa fools playing at mur.
der, next"
Il am glad you spoke. elder. Thank
you. I'll turn your words over in my
heart" But Van Heemskirk was un.
der a certain constraint: he was be-
ginning to understand the situation
to see in what danger his darling
might be. He was apparently calm
but an angry fire was gathering in his
lower part of his face
My Lysbet is the finest lady in the
whole land. Let her daughters walk
in her steps. That is what l want
Now, there is enough, and also there
is some one coming"
1T will be Neil and Bran; and. as
the words were spoken. the young
men entered.
Again you are late. Bran: anG
the father looked curiously in his
sons face. 1t was like looking bach
upon his own youth; for Bran Var
| Heemskirk had all the physical traits
of his father-his great size, his com
manding presence and winning ad
| dress. his large eyes. his deep, sonor
Gus voice and slow speech.
With the advent of Bran and Neil
the consultation ended The elder
srumbling at the chill and mist
wrapped himself in his plaid ant
! leaning on his sons arm cautiousl,
picked his way home by the light of {
lantern. Van Heemskirk put aside hi:
pipe, nodded gravely to his son, ant
went thoughtfully upstairs.