Gilpin observer., 1903-05-07

ing and believing mean to her perfect
happiness? Not women who have
ever stood, trembling with love and
| joy, close to the dear ones heart. II
they be gray-haired. and ON the very
shoal of life, they must rem ember still
those moments of delight-the little
lane, the fire-lit room. the drifting
boat. that is linked with them. If
they be young and lovely, and have
but to say, 1T was yesterday" or, ''It
was last week." still better they will
understand the temptation that was
too great for Katherine to overcome.
And, as yet nothing definite had
been said to her about Neil Semple,
and the arrangement made for her fu-
ture, SO that in effect, she was still
free, since Neil had not spoken.
On the night Of De Vries' return
there was great gathering at Van
Heemskik's house. Conspicuous in the
happy, chattering company, Lysbet
Van Heemskikrk hustled about, in the
very whitest and stiffest of lace caps.
Very soon after. sundown, Elder Sem
pie and madam his wife arrived; and
the elder, as usual, made a decided
stir among the group which he joined
mo, no, councillor" he said, in an
swer to the invitation of Joris to come
outside. mo, no, I'll not risk my
health. maybe my vera life, DOT on the
stoop after sunset"
We'll, then, neighbors, we'll go in
side," said Joris. Clean pipes, and
SNOWFALL (gin mixed stiff with su-
gar), or glass of Hollands, will not,
l think. be amiss."
The movement was made among
some jokes and laughter, and they
gathered near the hearthstone.
Katherine came and stood behind
her fathers chair. She let her head
fall down over his shoulder, and he
raised his own to clasp it. What is
1t then, min, Katrijntje kleintje?"
1T is to dance. Mother says yes
IL thou art willing"
Then l say yes also.
For moment she laid her cheek
against him. and the happy tears came
into his eyes, and he stroked her face
and half-reluctantly let Batavius lead
her away.
At that day there we're but few fam
lilies of any wealth who did not own
one black man who could play well
upon the violin. Joris possessed two,
and they were both on hand, putting
their own gay spirits into the fiddle
and the bow. And oh, how happy were
the beating feet and the beating hearts
that went to the stirring strains! It
was Joy and love and youth in melo-
dious motion. The old looked on with
cleaning. sympathetic eyes; the
young forgot that they were mortal.
Miss Katern Van Heemskirk.and Mr..
Neil Semple will now hab de honor of
bEgirg de company wild de French
minuet"
At this announcement, made by the
first negro violin, there was a sudden
silence; and Neil rose, and with a low
bow offered the tips of his fingers to
the beautiful girl, who rose blushing
to take them.
Neils dark, stately beauty was well
set on by his black velvet suit and
powdered hair and gold buckles. And
no lovelier contrast could have faced
him than Katherine Van Heemskirk;
SO delicately fresh, SO radiantly fair,
she looked in her light blue robe and
white lace stomacher, with a pink rose
at her breast.
Neil had a natural majesty in his
carriage; Katherine supplemented it
with a natural grace. AS she was in
the very act Of making Neil profound
courtesy. the door opened and Mrs.
Gordon and Capt. Hyde entered. The
latter took in the exquisite picture in
a moment, and there was a fire of jeal-
ousy in his heart when he saw Neil
lead his partner to her seat. and with
the deepest respect kiss her pretty
fingers ere he resigned them.
But he was compelled to control
himself, as he was tremendously in
troduced to Councillor and Madam
Van Heemskirk by his aunt, who with
q charming effusiveness declared -she
was very uneasy to intrude SO far, but.
in faith. councillor" she pleaded, II
am but a woman, and l find the news
of a wedding beyond my nature to re
sist."
ITO be continued.)