Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 399: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

392 THE ARGOGSY. her beautiful eyes full upon him, ‘“ So you want me to encourage you to hope, Maurice? My dear friend, I cannot. I love my father too devotedly ever to oppose his wishes. Remember, I am all he has to love in the world. I have promised him never to see you more, and it would break his heart if I should prove untrue to my word.” At that moment the boom of a cannon sounded from the city wall. The young man sprang to the platform railing and looked down. Beyond the ramparts he could see a large body of Spanish soldiery advancing to the assault, and realizing that his place was among the defenders, he started to leave the tower. But as he reached the top of the ladder, he paused and, turn- ing to the girl, cried scornfully: “Tt is evident, my lady, that you never loved me in the least.” Jacqueline cast upon him a wondering look, and answered beseechingly : “Oh, cannot you understand ? ” With these words ringing in his ears the despairing cavalier descended quickly from the tower and hurried to the scene of battle. As captain of the Burgher Guard, Maurice Van Texel was a personage of no small importance in that beleaguered city. The inhabitants looked upon him as one of their most doughty defenders, and now as he made his way through the streets and across the canals on a run, many followed after him with the hope of witnessing one of those acts of prowess that had rendered him famous. 4 As he sprang upon the ramparts, the cannon stationed there bellowed with one voice, and the masonry quivered under his feet. This discharge was im- mediately followed by a prolonged rattle of musketry. Looking over the wall, h2 could see the advancing columns of the enemy waver and break before that storm of missiles; but they closed again in an instant and pressed reso- lutely on. John Van der Does, Seigneur of Nordwyck, stood a little in the rear of the defenders, directing their operations, and by his side was Adrian Van der Werf, the burgomaster. At the sight of the haughty commandant, the heart of Van Texel was filled with rage and hate. “I am good enough to serve you, fight for you, bleed for you,” he thought bitterly ; “ but not good enough to enter the portals of your home. But we shall see about that, my proud seigneur.” ~ He now hastened to assume command of his Guards, who, during his absence, had been fighting under the leadership of a lieutenant. This gallant officer, whose name was Nicholas Hasselaer, loved his captain devotedly, and, observing the dark cloud upon his brow, approached him and inquired anx- iously : “Has anything gone wrong, Maurice? ” “No. Why do you ask?” ‘Because you seem to be perturbed.” “And most naturally, seeing that we have but a handful of men to oppose to the whole Spanish army.” Realizing the truth of this remark, Hasselaer became very grave. Look- ing down upon the plain, he observed that the enemy were advancing to the ECORRICLOOIK CO