Gilpin observer., 1903-06-25
What mean you, Joris?"

What mean you, Joris?"
Il think that he loves her,"
"Well?"
THAT he would like to marry her."
''Is she go fair?"
"A beautiful face and gracious
ways she has. Like her, the beloved
Rachael must have been, think.
Why do you not stand with Bran as
you stood with Katherine?"
Little use it would be, Joris. To
give consent in this matter would be
a sacrifice refused. Be sure that
Cohen will not listen to Bran; no,
nor to you, nor to me, nor to Miriam.
Say to Bran, I am willing, and
Cohen will say to him, Never, never
will | consent II you keep the Jews
cup for Bran and Miriam, always
you will keep it; yes, and they that
live after you, too"
At the very hour Joris and Lyshet
were discussing the position of their
son with regard to Miriam Cohen, the
question was being definitely settled
at another point. For Joris was not
the only person who had observed
Bram's devotion to the beautiful Jew
ess. Cohen had watched him with
close and cautious jealousy for many
months; but he was far too wise to
stimulate love by opposition and ne
did not believe in half measures
When he defined Miriam's duty to her
he meant it to be in such shape as
precluded argument or uncertainty;
and for this purpose delay was necos-
sary. But it happened, that, after
some months of negotiation, a final
and satisfactory letter had come 70
him by the same post as brougAg
katherine's letter to Joris Van
Heemskirk.
He read its contents with a sad sat
isfaction and then locked it away
until the evening hours secured him
from business interruption. Then lie
went to his grandchild.
She looked so pretty and happy and
careless, that for some time he did
not like to break the spell of her rest
full beauty. Then he said in slow,
even tones, MY child, listen to me.
This summer my young kinsman
Judah Belasco will come here. He
comes to marry you. You will be a
happy wife. my dear. He has mon
eys and he has the power to make
moneys, and he is a good young man.
| have been cautious concerning that,
my dear"
There was long pause. He did
not hurry her, but sat patiently wait
ing, with his eyes fixed upon the book
in her hand
Il do not want to marry, grand
father. | am so young. l do not
know Judah Belasco"
You shall have time, my dear 1t
is part of the agreement that he shall
now live in New York.
Put from your heart or fancy any
other young man. Have you not
thought of our neighbor, Bran Van
Heemskirk?"
He is good; he is handsome. I
fear he loves me-"
You know not anything. II you
choose a husband, or even a shoe, by
their appearance, both may pinch you.
my dear. Judah is of good stock.
or good tree you may expect good
fruit"
Bran Van Heemskirk is also the
son of a good father. Many times you
hare said it."
Yes. 1 have said 1t. But Bran is
no: of our people. My dear, will you
, take your own way, or will you obey
the word of the Lord?"
MY father, l will keep the promise
that l made you. | will do all that
You WISH
Cohen bowed his head solemnly
and remained for some minutes after
wards motionless. His eyes were
closed. his face was as still a. a paint
ed face. Whether he was praying or
remembering, Miriam knew not. But
solitude is the first cry of the wound
ed heart. and she went away into it.
She was like a child that had been
smitten and whom there was none to
comfort. But she never thought of
disputing her grandfathers word, or
OF opposing his will.
Ito be continued)